National Semiconductor Announces Complete Chipset for Next Generation Flat Panel Displays

New Column Driver Features National's RSDS Technology; Complete Chipset Provides Flat Panel Displays With Better System Performance

SID 2002, BOSTON, May 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- National Semiconductor Corporation (NYSE: NSM - News), the leader in analog video processing solutions for displays, today introduced the first in a family of new column drivers that uses the industry standard RSDS(TM) (reduced swing differential signaling) digital interface technology developed by National. The single chip FPD33684 column driver provides low system power and low EMI (electro-magnetic interference) for thin film transistor (TFT) liquid crystal display (LCD) panels in notebook computers, monitors and LCD televisions. National will demonstrate the new column driver at the Society for Information Display (SID) conference this week.

Using National Semiconductor's proprietary charge share technology, the FPD33684 delivers excellent image performance that cuts the overall display system power consumption by up to 50 percent compared to other RSDS column drivers not using charge share. The new FPD33684 column driver, along with National's timing controller, scaler and power ICs, provide OEMs with a complete chipset for the next generation of XGA (1024 x 768 resolution) flat panel display systems.

"National's new column driver improves overall system performance, cost and battery life," said Mitch Abbey, director of marketing for National's display group. "This device is specifically designed to reduce power consumption and EMI-radiated noise in systems, extending battery life, reducing weight and lowering overall system cost compared to traditional TTL solutions."

"RSDS effectively reduces power usage, EMI, bus interconnects and overall cost of flat panel displays," said Sang-Soo Kim, Ph.D., vice president, AMLCD Division at Samsung Electronics. "With today's introduction of a new column driver, National now offers an extensive panel system solution for XGA panels in notebook and monitor applications."

Why RSDS vs. TTL?

Today's TFT LCD display applications demand both low power consumption and reduced EMI. RSDS reduces power consumption, EMI and system cost compared to traditional TTL technology.

RSDS is a derivative of the low voltage differential signal (LVDS) technology also developed by National and used in its FPD-Link interface chipset, a widely used standard for the notebook interconnect between the motherboard and flat panel display.

The bus interface between the panel timing controller and column drivers has historically been a major source of EMI and power dissipation inside the panel, due to the common use of TTL-level signaling on this bus. However, with National's family of column drivers and customized timing controllers, RSDS interface signals replace TTL signals on the bus. By reducing the signal swing level and implementing a differential signaling technique, RSDS results in significantly lower power consumption and EMI levels than the TTL bus interface.

Technical Features and Benefits

The FPD33684 is the first in a family of new column drivers from National that provide low power, reduced EMI and overall system cost reduction. The 6-bit, 384 channel, 10.5V column driver is used to provide liquid crystal cells with a large dynamic output voltage range to display 262,144 colors (18-bit colors). Operating up to an 85MHz frequency rate, the FPD33684 supports XGA resolution under a 75Hz refresh rate and is ideal for both LCD monitor and notebook PC applications.

Pricing and Availability

National's column driver, available in a substrate-based tape carrier package (TCP) or chip on film (COF) package, will be available in June. Both packages provide mechanical and electrical support to the LCD driver semiconductors between the LCD panel and the driving module for the application in flat panel displays.

In 1,000 unit quantities, the FPD33684 costs $2.25. Further information is available at www.national.com/appinfo/displays/index.html.

See National at SID 2002

National Semiconductor will demonstrate the column driver at SID 2002 in Boston, Massachusetts, May 19-24, in National's booth number 3311. More information on National's activities at SID can be found at www.national.com/events/.

About National Semiconductor

National Semiconductor is the premier analog company driving the information age. Combining real-world analog and state-of-the-art digital technology, the company is focused on the fast growing markets for wireless handsets; displays; information infrastructure, and information appliances. With headquarters in Santa Clara, California, National reported sales of $2.1 billion for its last fiscal year and has about 9,800 employees worldwide. Additional company and product information is available on the World Wide Web at www.national.com.

NOTE: National is a registered trademark and RSDS is a trademark of National Semiconductor Corporation. All other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

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