LVDS signal switches suit high-resolution displays

Pericom Semiconductor Corp. has announced the release of a pair of LVDS signal routing switches that promise high bandwidth, low signal degradation and high ESD tolerance. The devices are fully compatible with the LVDS physical layer standard ANSI/TIA/EIA-644.

According to the company, PI2LVD412 and PI2LVD512 are differential 2:1 mux/demux LVDS signal switches, and can address 18bit displays (4-differential channels) and 24bit displays (5-differential channels), respectively. LVDS provides a high-bandwidth, robust and economical digital interface for high-resolution flat panel displays, Pericom said, and is used in the majority of today's SVGA and XGA based notebook and sub-notebook computers.

The company said the signal switches can route all required signals from two LVDS sources to a single LVDS flat panel display. Using this solution, a notebook manufacturer can allow consumers to easily upgrade the graphics power of their notebook instead of buying a new notebook. These new devices also allow a notebook to run video such as a DVD without having to boot-up the operating system.

"The major market segment that we see today for Pericom's LVDS signal switches is in notebook applications where we are already designed-in at some major customers, and the top two graphics chipset suppliers. The switches are being used to enable a 'one touch' feature that helps to save power and bypasses booting the OS, allowing users to, for instance, watch DVD movies. The switches are also designed to allow a 'flexible graphics' feature which enables users to easily upgrade the graphics power of their notebook without buying a new notebook," said Shaf Rahman, director of switch and interface marketing.

These Pb-free and green devices are in full production today, with prices ranging from $1.35 to $1.75 in bulk quantities.