by Anton Shilov
06/19/2003 | 04:13 PM
Silicon Image announced it had broken the bandwidth barrier with a new Digital Visual Interface (DVI) transmitter and receiver capable of operating at up to 225MHz in a single-link configuration. Thanks to this achievement, Silicon Image will be able to provide low-cost solution for transmitting data needed to support up to 2048x1536 resolutions on displays via DVI.
<%BANNER[article]%>The latest additions to Silicon Image’s comprehensive SiI 1000family of DVI solutions, the PanelLink SiI 1171 receiver and SiI 1172 transmitter are fully compliant with DVI throughout its defined single-link bandwidth range of 25-165MHz.
The SiI 1171 receiver and SiI 1172 transmitter support the new breed of high-resolution QXGA (2048x1536) displays in a low-cost, single-link digital interface. Going a step further, the SiI 1171 receiver simplifies monitor and projector printed circuit board (PCB) layout, which can significantly reduce the cost of a QXGA display's PCB bill of materials by 25 to 85%, according to Silicon Image. Specifically, the company believes it can reduce the PCB bill of materials from approximately 20-35% of total monitor cost to only 5%.
The SiI 1171 receiver and SiI 1172 transmitter also support UXGA displays at a 75Hz refresh rate, QXGA displays at 60Hz and WQXGA displays at 50Hz, resolutions that were until now not supported by a single-link architecture. Furthermore, support for a QXGA single link should make digital CRTs with a digital interface a more attractive option for OEMs.
Silicon Image will continue to provide dual-link solutions such as the SiI 163B receiver and SiI 178 transmitter for applications requiring speeds greater than 225MHz. By boosting the single-link bandwidth to 225MHz, the SiI 1171 receiver and SiI 1172 transmitter extend the maximum dual-link speed to 450MHz for future, higher-resolution displays.
The SiI 1171 receiver is packaged as a 100-pin TQFP and priced at $9.65 in 10 000 quantities. Samples are scheduled to be available in the third quarter, with volume production slated for the Q4. Priced at $5.85 in 10 000 quantities, the SiI 1172 transmitter is packaged as a 48-pin TSSOP. Samples are scheduled for availability next quarter, with volume production slated for the Q4.