ST Micro and LG Display collaboration unveils iDP interface standard for LCD TVs

ST Micro and LG Display collaborating to replace the current LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) standard with iDP (Internal DisplayPort) interface standard.

To enable animation, graphics and 3-D video and better picture quality, LCD TVs are advancing toward high refresh rates by creating the need for a new high-speed panel-interface standard.

iDP is an advanced technology based on DisplayPort, which is an open and royalty-free VESA digital-display interface standard. The DisplayPort interface enables high-bandwidth audio and video signal transmission by utilizing a digital protocol.

The iDP standard is targeted for the connection between a TV-controller SOC and an LCD-panel Timing Controller within a TV chassis. With a link operating at 3.24 Gbps per differential pair, only 17 signals (eight differential pairs and one Hot Plug Detect (HPD) signal) are needed to transport Full HD 240Hz at 10 bits per color over the iDP link, fewer than the 96 signals required for a LVDS link. With the dynamic lane-count adjust feature, iDP is capable of supporting pixel rate change due to events such as video frame-rate change and 3D-stereo display timing without visual glitch on a TV screen.

"Introducing technologies such as iDP is an important part of ST's strategy to continue advancing as a major player in semiconductors for the mainstream and high-end LCD TV market," said Luigi Mantellassi, General Manager of ST's TV and Monitor Division. "With the support and cooperation of LG Display in defining and driving widespread adoption of the iDP standard, ST has co-developed a technology we believe will benefit the industry and consumers. Additionally ST is developing a wide range of competitive products based around video/audio quality, Internet-TV and DisplayPort connectivity, enabling TV manufactures to provide the highest level of user experience to their customers."

"We believe iDP will support the increasing demand for high video bandwidth, which was considered as a challenge for the current LVDS standard," said In Jae Chung, Executive Vice President and CTO of LG Display. "As iDP is expected to enhance performance at a lower bill-of-materials cost and reduces system problems such as EMI, LG Display is planning to promote the adoption of iDP to its customers and introduce it in one of the new panel line-ups to deliver greater value to the market."

Availability: Expected to sample in December 2009