Parade Technologies, Ltd. announced the availability of its new high-resolution, automotive-grade PS8627V DisplayPort? to LVDS protocol converter. The PS8627V is used to convert a DisplayPort?

(DP) or eDP? (Embedded DisplayPort) video transport stream to the LVDS (Low-Voltage Differential Signaling) interface used by automotive-grade display panels or display assemblies. The PS8627V enables ultrawide display up to 7680x1260@60Hz with 30bpp color depth.

For comparison, PS8625V, the current DP/eDP to LVDS converter in mass production for top automotive OEM, supports up to 1920x1200 display resolution. The PS8627V features a DP/eDP input of up to 4 lanes and LVDS output of up to 6 ports. Enabling a native DP/eDP connection between an automotive Video Control Unit (VCU) and display assembly can simplify system design and lower implementation cost by eliminating the need for a SERDES (serializer-deserializer) for the audio/video transport channel.

The use of DP/eDP as an end-to-end connection between the video source and display also enables higher resolutions and color depths in addition to potential cost savings. The automotive industry is currently following the consumer electronic trend in transitioning from display panels using an LVDS interface to those using eDP. Notebook PCs and high-end tablets have migrated to eDP to enable higher display resolutions and color depth, and to reduce power, cost, and physical bulk.

While automotive-grade eDP display panels are slowly becoming available, many automotive-grade LVDS panels of various sizes remain in production. When using an LVDS panel, Parade?s PS8627V provides an eDP input for the display assembly. Most newer SoCs and GPUs provide an output video stream using DP and eDP which enable both reduced interface pin count and full integration of the video interface into the sub-micron chip process.

The higher speed data serialization rates also support higher resolutions and even multiple displays. DP and eDP both include automatic channel equalization and link training to accommodate a direct end-to-end physical connection between video source and display over several meters. Automotive-grade eDP panels are just becoming available, and there are SoCs supporting eDP.

But there are many automotive qualified LVDS panels already available in various shapes, sizes and resolutions which can be upgraded to the eDP interface using the PS8627V/PS8625V. For a cable connection from the VCU to display assembly this can eliminate the need for additional SERDES chips that implement the proprietary FPD-link® or GMSL® protocols for example. With proper video source and display configurations and cabling, the reach of native eDP can exceed 3 meters.

And as with DisplayPort, eDP can support HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection), which is supported by the PS8627V and is required for streaming premium content from DVDs and video services such as Netflix®, Hulu® and the like, or to prevent hacking of automotive display content in the interest of driver safety. Availability: The PS8627V is sampling now. The device supports an ambient temperature range of -40° to 105°C and is available in 128-pin and 176-pin LQFP packages.