Siemens Launches Cost Effective Scan-rate Converters.

CUPERTINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--September 22, 1998--

SDA9400 Family Integrates DRAM into High Performance Scan

Rate Converter for NTSC, Enables Backward Compatibility of

HDTV to Existing NTSC Standard

Siemens Microelectronics, Inc. (SMI), has announced a single-chip, scan-rate converter with embedded DRAM, called the SDA9400 or Scarabaeus. The device, which is implemented in a 0.35 micron embedded DRAM process, converts 50 and 60Hz images into either progressive scan or 100/120 Hz interlaced images using unique and proprietary algorithms.

"A key feature of the SDA9400 is its ability to convert interlaced NTSC images into a progressive scan output," said Michael McDonald, manager of the consumer system solutions group at SMI. He explained that due to the large existing base of NTSC television broadcasters and content providers, all manufacturers of high definition (HDTV) and standard definition (SDTV) sets will continue to provide backward compatibility with the NTSC format. By converting interlaced NTSC content into a progressive scan output, the SDA9400 makes the NTSC format compatible with the deflection requirements of both HDTV and SDTV sets.

"Many in the industry expect that digital television will be in over 100 million households by the year 2006 -- and offer a tremendous growth opportunity for Siemens," McDonald said. The SDA9400 is the first in a series of Siemens products that will address this market, he noted.

The up-converted display from the SDA9400 is also well suited for existing analog large-screen systems where increased vertical resolution is desired. The NTSC television standard calls for approximately 240 lines (VBI lines, or those found in the vertical blanking interval, are not displayed) to be displayed every 1/60 of a second. The SDA9400 increases the number of lines displayed in that time to 480. This eliminates any visible line structure, a problem visible on many big screen televisions where the 240 lines are spread over a much larger area. Options traditionally used by big-screen TV manufacturers are significantly more expensive, or use low quality alternatives such as defocusing the lens or simply doubling the lines, which reduces the quality or vertical resolution.

For the consumer, an analog television equipped with the new SDA9400 chip will offer better quality display without the high cost overhead of an HDTV set. For the television maker, an NTSC television with progressive scan output offers a cost-effective price point and bridge between very high-end HDTV systems and high-end NTSC systems.

Siemens' embedded DRAM technology enables a high degree of integration -- 5.2 Mbits of memory on chip, combined with memory sync controller and logic. This integration reduces chip-count, eliminates sourcing and cost issues found with smaller memory sizes, and simplifies design issues. Together, the SDA9400 leads to a cost-effective realisation of all these features.

"Siemens continues to develop highly integrated consumer solutions at cost competitive prices because we have sensed and responded to our customers' needs and to the dynamics of the consumer marketplace," explained McDonald. The SDA9401, which will be available in sample quantities early in the fourth quarter of 1998, has many of the same features of the SDA9400, but with only 3.2 Mbits of integrated memory. This device will enable 100Hz and 120Hz displays for PAL and NTSC, respectively. The SDA9401 does not, however, increase the number of lines displayed. The Technology Behind the SDA9400

Traditionally, conventional NTSC television interlaces the odd and even lines of a frame, displaying first one and then the other. In Progressive Scan mode, the SDA9400 replaces the fields (half frames) supplied from the broadcasters by full frames at the same rate. Using proprietary algorithms, the SDA9400 increases the number of displayed lines on a television from approximately 240 to 480; this differs from other solutions that simply double the number of lines without taking motion into account.

In addition, the SDA9400 provides a 31.5kHz line frequency output (as opposed to 15.75kHz for NTSC). This frequency is very similar to the HDTV display rates of 1080I (32.4kHz) and eases many technology problems associated with deflection circuits.

The new SDA9400 chip's 4:2:2 YUV video output format is identical to that used in high-definition television (HDTV) sets.

Key features of the SDA9400 include:

-- 5.2Mb of integrated DRAM, which eliminates at least one IC from existing solutions

-- Algorithms that identify on a pixel by pixel basis which method should be used for scan rate conversion. This eliminates many artifacts found in existing line-doubling chip-sets.

-- Vertical and horizontal decimation enabling split screen/double window

-- Vertical interpolation to eliminate the black bars used in letterbox program formatting

-- Temporal and spatial noise reduction

The device detects motion on a pixel by pixel basis and one of two proprietary scan-rate conversion algorithms is automatically employed. By employing these algorithms, various artifacts found in current solutions, such as loss of vertical resolution and double-contours, are eliminated. Pricing and Availability

Limited samples of the SDA9400 are now available. The SDA9400 will be priced at $40 apiece in 10k quantities. The SDA9401 will be priced at $35 apiece in 10k quantities.

For additional information, check SMI's web site at: www.smi.siemens.com or call 800 77-SIEMENS, extension 756 and ask for literature package number M16S001. About Siemens

Siemens Microelectronics, Inc. (SMI), based in Cupertino, Calif. since 1969, offers one of the broadest product portfolios in the microelectronics industry, including communications ICs, microcontrollers, memory products, smart card ICs, wireless devices, radio frequency ICs and discretes, power ICs and transistors, and optoelectronics. Along with a breadth of products, SMI works from a strong manufacturing and technology base to provide system solutions with a special focus on the computer peripheral, communications, wireless, and automotive and industrial markets.

SMI is a subsidiary of Siemens Corporation, N.Y., and is the North American affiliate of the Siemens Semiconductor Group, Munich, Germany, which had worldwide sales of approximately $3.5 billion in fiscal 1996/97, as well as the Siemens Passive Components Group, with worldwide sales of about $1.3 billion in the same period.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Detailed diagram available upon request to Tom McHale, 408/777-4909.