Tiny HDMI transmitter maximizes control for HD devices

As a new member of ADI's Advantiv improved TV solutions portfolio, the ADV7521NK measures only 3.5mm x 3.5mm x 0.65mm HDMI ver 1.3 transmitter with on-chip support for Consumer Electronic Control (CEC), giving out a single remote control to run multiple CEC-enabled high-definition (HD) devices. This draws away the need to use separate remotes for each HD device. The ADV7521NK's small form factor, low power dissipation and CEC interface enable designers to speed to market smaller, lighter and more affordable HD-enabled devices that work seamlessly within home entertainment systems, with only one cable connection and a single remote control.

Size does matter
"Considered as the smallest and thinnest single-chip HDMI ver 1.3 transmitter, the transmitter enables high-performance HDMI connectivity in portable consumer electronics where size and weight are of critical importance," said Bill Bucklen, director, advanced TV segment, ADI. "With low power and on-chip CEC support, it also addresses market demand for high-performance transmitter ICs that reduce system cost and HDMI design complexity, helping engineers to design products with high-end HD functionality across multiple performance and price points."

Support for various standards
The low-power transmitter offers full support for HDTV video standards up to 1080p/30f, 1080i/60f, 720p/60f and computer graphics standards up to XGA at 75Hz. In addition, the ADV7521NK incorporates the industry's leading connectivity standards including HDMI ver 1.3 (supporting x.v. Color), the CEA-861-D, and digital video interface ver 1.0.

The transmitter upgrades the advanced core of the previously announced ADV7520/ADV7520NK.This core has extremely low standby power, helping designers to significantly extend battery life in portable multimedia devices where standby mode can account for as much as 90 percent of the duty cycle.

Lowering production cost
ADI's new HDMI ver 1.3 transmitter reduces system cost by integrating features such as I²C master for extended display identification data reading, a single 1.8V power supply and 5V tolerant I/Os that support I²C and hot plug detect). Unlike competitive offerings, ADV7521NK takes away the need for external voltage translators and converts I/O signals from 5V or 3.3V to 1.8V, further lowering design complexity and extending battery life in portable electronics.

The ADV7521NK provides complete audio support for Sony/Philips digital interface format (S/PDIF) for linear pulse code modulation audio or compressed audio including Dolby Digital and DTS; and two-channel I²S audio for transmitting stereo at sample rates up to 192KHz.

The ADV7521NK is compatible with other ADI equipment in the advanced TV signal chain, including the ADV7390-93 video encoders; ADV7441A 10bit integrated, multiformat SDTV /HDTV video decoder, RGB graphics digitizer and 2:1 multiplexed HDMI/DVI interface; and AD8190/1/2/5/6/7A/7B HDMI/DVI switches and buffers with equalization.