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| STMicroelectronics launches ultra low-power video encoder enabling TV-Out for portable applications | ||
| STMicroelectronics has announced two new digital encoders (DENC) – the STw8009 and STw8019 – which provide a high-quality TV-Out feature for portable applications such as mobile phones, digital cameras, video players and PDAs. | |
The new encoders convert digital video and still image data to analogue TV signals, compatible with most worldwide TV standards, enabling users to share pictures and video from their handheld devices on a standard TV screen.
By integrating the essential TV-Out functions onto the chip, the STw8009/19 devices offer the most cost-effective solution on the market for this increasingly popular mobile feature. The devices achieve the optimum mix of features to satisfy the constraints of portable products, in terms of supply voltages, supply current, PCB area and cost. The STw8009/19’s ‘smart partitioning’ moves image processing functions to the mobile terminal’s host processor and the digital-TV encoding and analog conversion to the STw8009/19. This creates a very efficient and flexible implementation. Alternative system partitioning schemes are often either lacking flexibility or are more complex and more costly, which could limit penetration of the TV-out feature in the mobile market.
The digital processor of the portable device drives the STw8009/19 encoder with image data in ITU 601 YCbCr 4:2:2 format, sized to PAL or NTSC standards, using a common 8-bit interface with a 27MHz clock signal.The encoder supports both embedded (CCIR 656) or external synchronization. PORn, Suspend, and I2C compatible signals control its operating modes and registers. Signal processing targets the highest possible standard, enriching the user’s viewing experience with high-q-uality video.
The STw8009 and STw8019 are identical products except that the STw8019 also embeds the latest (7.1.L1) Macrovision content-protection technology. These technologies include ST’s proven TV DENC, and twin high-performance digital-to-analog converters (DACs) with 35mA drivers capable of driving 75-ohm video cables to provide Composite (CVBS) or S-Video direct to the TV set. Encoding is to PAL or NTSC standards.
The devices are produced in tiny 3x3mm or 4x4mm BGA (Ball Grid Array) packages. Even with the addition of optional low-pass filter components, the board area required by the smaller package is only 16.4-square mm for the complete TV-Out application. Power consumption is exceptionally low and is tailored for portable applications: just 5µW in Sleep mode, 150µW in Standby, and 125mW or 245mW in operation depending on whether one DAC (CVBS) or two DACs (S-Video) are enabled.
ST is the world’s largest supplier of ICs for Set-top Boxes (STBs) and has delivered hundreds of millions of video digital encoders. The company is also the leading supplier of mixed technology ICs for the mobile phone market, with billions of chips delivered over the last ten years. The new encoders represent the convergence of ST’s expertise in these two markets to ensure the optimum implementation.
For more information on the full range of STMicroelectronics products available from Anglia please call +44 (0)1945 474747 or email info@anglia.com
