ST column drivers will bring vibrant color and cinema-quality experience to
consumers
SAN FRANCISCO, June 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SOCIETY FOR INFORMATION
DISPLAY INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM -- STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM) today
announced plans to introduce column driver ICs for the fast-growing LCD TV
market, following the signing of a licensing agreement with National
Semiconductor Corporation (NYSE: NSM) to use their PPDS(R) (point-to-point
differential signaling) display technology. Samples of the first products
in the new family are expected to be available in Q3 2006 and will complete
ST's existing portfolio of drivers for Plasma, small-size LCD and OLED
(Organic Light Emitting Diode) displays.
Widely used in computer monitors, LCD displays are increasingly being
used for flat-screen TVs as large LCD-panel prices continue to become more
attractive and earlier performance limitations compared to plasma are
overcome. ST believes that implementing the PPDS technology into its
designs will dramatically simplify the intra-panel interconnect, reduce the
total number of column driver signals required by up to 50% to enable a
physically smaller bezel around the TV screen, and provide cinema-quality
display performance.
ST brings to this market segment its long experience in display systems
and technologies including computer monitors, TV applications, mobile
displays, plasma screens, small-size LCD and OLED. The company plans to
offer innovative and cost-competitive solutions, leveraging its extensive
experience in mixed-signal and high-voltage design, complemented by its
leading-edge proprietary BCD (Bipolar, CMOS, and DMOS) high-voltage process
technologies.
"ST is implementing its strategy to become a major player in the
mainstream high-end LCD TV market. The company plans to offer extremely
competitive driver products, based around National's PPDS display
architecture, together with our leading-edge process technology developed
specially for the application, enabling manufacturers to meet their
customers' expectations for performance, TV set appearance, and economy,"
said Philippe Berger, General Manager of ST's Display Division.
"Additionally, ST has the dedicated display driver support teams that will
work closely with manufacturers to ease the design process, and the
necessary world-class and high-quality semiconductor manufacturing
infrastructure to support large volume production in this fast growing
market."
"National's PPDS technology is on track to become the new interface
standard for LCD panels," said Todd Whitaker, product line director of
National Semiconductor's Flat Panel Display group. "National is committed
to driving widespread adoption of our PPDS technology by licensing to top
tier semiconductor manufacturers such as STMicroelectronics."
STMicroelectronics and National Semiconductor plan to demonstrate
National's differential signaling timing controller and column driver
chipset at the ST booth (#1302) at the Society for Information Display
(SID) International Symposium in San Francisco from June 6-8. The SID
conference is
the premier international gathering of scientists, engineers,
manufacturers and users in the electronic-display industry.
About National's PPDS Technology
National Semiconductor developed the PPDS display interface standard to
improve visual performance, lower system cost and provide increased
flexibility in the design of LCD panels. Recognized by the International
Engineering Consortium (IEC) with a DesignVision award in 2005, National's
PPDS technology is a migration from RSDS(R) (reduced swing differential
signaling) technology to a new architecture capable of driving large LCD
panels up to 90 inches in diagonal at resolutions up to 1920 x 1080 lines
(full high-definition). PPDS technology brings brilliant colors,
cinema-quality motion video and high-resolution to next-generation large
screen panels. For more information on National's PPDS technology, visit
http://www.national.com/appinfo/fpd/ppds.html.
About STMicroelectronics
STMicroelectronics is a global leader in developing and delivering
semiconductor solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics
applications. An unrivalled combination of silicon and system expertise,
manufacturing strength, Intellectual Property (IP) portfolio and strategic
partners positions the Company at the forefront of System-on-Chip (SoC)
technology and its products play a key role in enabling today's convergence
markets. The Company's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on
Euronext Paris and on the Milan Stock Exchange. In 2005, the Company's net
revenues were $8.88 billion and net earnings were $266 million. Further
information on ST can be found at http://www.st.com.
PPDS and RSDS are registered trademarks of National Semiconductor
Corporation.
SOURCE STMicroelectronics
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Related links:
http://www.st.com
http://www.national.com/appinfo/fpd/ppds.html
CONTACT:
Michael Markowitz of STMicroelectronics,
+1-212-821-8959, michael.markowitz@st.com
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