Mitsubishi Offers LCD Controller With On-Chip 19.2-KB Video Ram for Cost-Sensitive GPS, Smart Phone and PDA Applications.SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 20, 1998-- LCD Controller's Internal Video RAM Delivers Dynamic On-Screen Animation and Efficient Display Data Processing The Electronic Device Group of Mitsubishi Electronics America Inc. today announced mass production of the M66272FP liquid crystal display liquid crystal display (LCD) Optoelectronic device used in displays for watches, calculators, notebook computers, and other electronic devices. Current passed through specific portions of the liquid crystal solution causes the crystals to align, blocking the passage of light. (LCD) controller. With 19.2 kilobytes (KB) of on-chip video RAM (VRAM See video RAM. VRAM - video random-access memory ), the IC enhances screen performance in cost-sensitive global positioning system Global Positioning System: see navigation satellite. Global Positioning System (GPS) Precise satellite-based navigation and location system originally developed for U.S. military use. (GPS), smart phone, personal digital assistant (PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) A handheld computer for managing contacts, appointments and tasks. It typically includes a name and address database, calendar, to-do list and note taker, which are the functions in a personal information manager (see PIM). ), and other portable, automotive and office automation applications. The large size of the on-chip VRAM allows it to store up to two 320 x 240 pixel screens of display information for more dynamic on-screen animation. "The M66272FP gives OEMs upscale features and flexibility for designing cost-sensitive GPS, PDA and smart phone applications," said Ike Saeed, senior product manager for application-specific standard products (ASSPs) at Mitsubishi Electronics America. "The large on-chip video RAM extends the capability of the device's display control functionality and allows for a very effective interface between the CPU CPU in full central processing unit Principal component of a digital computer, composed of a control unit, an instruction-decoding unit, and an arithmetic-logic unit. and LCD controller." The LCD controller has efficient display data processing. The direct memory access (DMA (1) (Digital Media Adapter) See digital media hub. (2) (Document Management Alliance) A specification that provides a common interface for accessing and searching document databases. ) control function provides any external 8- or 16-bit microprocessor with easy access to the VRAM's internal addresses via the cycle steal system. A built-in arbiter circuit provides the microcontroller with priority bus access to the VRAM, allowing the M66272FP to virtually eliminate display screen distortion. The on-chip I/O (Input/Output) The transfer of data between the CPU and a peripheral device. Every transfer is an output from one device and an input to another. See PC input/output. I/O - Input/Output register control logic for the display enhances flexibility in designing the microcontroller interface, increases CPU speed, and reduces the number of I/O pins necessary for the LCD controller package. The M66272FP allows OEMs to choose between a 3-volt or 5-volt power supply as well as several display methods including a panel configuration that is single scan or dual scan; a display function that is binary scale or four-level gray scale; and a display data bus that is 4- or 8-bits wide. The M66272FP can provide a screen resolution of up to 1/2 VGA (Video Graphics Array) The display standard for the PC. All PC display adapters support VGA, and Windows machines boot up in "VGA mode" before switching to higher resolutions. (640 x 240 pixels) for monochrome super twist nematic The stage between a crystal and a liquid that has a threadlike nature; for example, a liquid crystal. See crystalline and LCD. (STN) LCDs using single-scan binary mode and can provide up to 1/4 VGA (320 x 240 pixels) for dual-scan STN LCDs in four-level gray scale mode. The controller also supports electrically controlled birefringence (ECB See electronic code book. ) mode reflective color displays that use gray scale at up to 1/4 VGA. Packaging, availability and pricing Mitsubishi's M66272FP LCD controller is provided in an 80-pin quad flat pack (QFP) package, and is currently in volume production. Pricing is $5 each in 100,000-unit quantities. About Mitsubishi Electric and Mitsubishi Electronics America Ranked among the top-10 worldwide semiconductor suppliers, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation is a leading manufacturer of liquid crystal display (LCD) controllers and other application-specific standard products (ASSPs) for a wide variety of applications. The company also makes other ASSPs for motor driver, TV, VCR VCR: see videocassette recorder. VCR in full videocassette recorder Electromechanical device that records, stores on a videotape cassette, and plays back on a TV set recorded images and sound. , CD player, monitor, fax, disk drive, telephone, communications and audio/video system applications, as well as standard linear and digital/analog interface ICs. Mitsubishi's ASSPs are manufactured with extensive feature sets that meet specific application requirements and use a standard-cell design approach to reduce chip size, costs and product development time. The company implements its ASSPs as standard ICs for multiple customers and maps them to singular or multiple applications. Mitsubishi Electric offers an extensive range of semiconductor-based products and markets them in North America through the Electronic Device Group of Mitsubishi Electronics America Inc. Please visit Mitsubishi Electric's worldwide semiconductor website at http://www.mitsubishichips.com for more information. CONTACT: KVO Public Relations Paul Karr, 650/919-2026 pkarr@kvo.com or Mitsubishi Electronics America Inc. John Garner, 408/774-3191 garner_john@edg.mea.com |
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