Licenses Spur Adoption of PPDS as a Standard; New LCD TVs Will Feature True
10-bit Color for a Cinema-Quality Experience
SAN FRANCISCO, Society for Information Display (SID) Conference, June 6
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- National Semiconductor (NYSE: NSM) today
announced that Himax Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: HIMX), MagnaChip
Semiconductor Ltd. and STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM) have licensed
National Semiconductor's PPDS(R) (point-to-point differential signaling)
display technology to develop column drivers for next-generation liquid
crystal display (LCD) televisions. In addition, Chi Mei Optoelectronics
Corp. (CMO) has agreed to incorporate National's PPDS technology into its
upcoming LCD TV modules.
"National's PPDS technology enables CMO to deliver higher color depth,
cinema-quality motion video and high resolution to the consumer in a
simple, cost-effective manner," said Wen-Tsung Lin, director of the LCD TV
Division at Chi Mei Optoelectronics Corp. "These features are critical to
the success of large LCD TVs."
National Semiconductor's PPDS technology allows panel manufacturers to
offer superior, front-of-screen performance at significantly lower cost
than competing technologies. As monitors and televisions transition to
offer consumers amazing billion-plus color depth, LCD panel, monitor and
television makers need an intra-panel interface that supports true 10-bit
color without burdening their products with extra cost and complexity.
"LCD TV shipments are forecasted to grow from 41.7 million units in
2006 to 96.9 million units in 2009, with the bulk of the growth coming from
those LCD TVs with high-definition resolutions," said Ross Young, president
of DisplaySearch, a research firm focused on flat panel displays.
"National's PPDS technology is well-suited for LCD TV applications that
demand the highest level of color control and accuracy that provide the
best viewing experience for the end user."
National Semiconductor will demonstrate the PPDS timing controller and
column driver chipset in booth 1302 at the Society for Information Display
(SID) conference 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. National's display experts will
be available for customer, press and industry analyst interviews throughout
the conference. To schedule an interview at SID, please contact Gayle
Bullock at 408-464-2516 or gayle.bullock@nsc.com.
About the PPDS Architecture
National Semiconductor developed 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 by 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 National Semiconductor
National Semiconductor, the industry's premier analog company, creates
high-value analog devices and subsystems. National's leading-edge products
include power management circuits, display drivers, audio and operational
amplifiers, communication interface products and data conversion solutions.
National's key analog markets include wireless handsets, displays and a
variety of broad electronics markets, including medical, automotive,
industrial, and test and measurement applications. Headquartered in Santa
Clara, California, National reported sales of $1.91 billion for fiscal
2005, which ended May 29, 2005. Additional company and product information
is available at http://www.national.com.
Supporting Quotes
Himax Technologies, Inc.
"With support for next-generation features such as 120 Hz and true
10-bit color, National Semiconductor's PPDS display technology offers panel
vendors advanced panel capabilities at the lowest system cost," said Dr.
Bu, Director of Design at Himax. "Himax designs, develops and markets
critical components for flat panel displays. Choosing to license PPDS
technology will allow us to continue providing the best product solutions
to our customers."
http://www.himax.com.tw
MagnaChip Semiconductor Ltd.
"The combination of National Semiconductor's PPDS display technology
and Magnachip's design and manufacturing capability provides customers with
cutting edge column driver solutions," Seung Eun Kam, Vice President of
Display Solutions Division (Large Application Marketing) at Magnachip. "As
a supplier of complex, high-performance, mixed-signal semiconductor
solutions for fast growing consumer markets such as LCD TV's, MagnaChip
must provide its customers with innovative and cost effective solutions,
and we believe National's PPDS technology meets our customers'
next-generation product requirements."
http://www.magnachip.com
STMicroelectronics
"As one of the world's largest semiconductor suppliers, ST recognizes
that National's PPDS technology has enormous potential to be a new industry
standard," said Philippe Berger, General Manager of ST's Display Division.
"ST believes that adding this technology to its vast IP portfolio will
allow the company to offer its customers the best column driver solutions
for the LCD television market."
http://www.st.com
Chi Mei Optoelectronics Corp.
http://www.chimei.com.tw
CONTACT:
Gayle Bullock
National Semiconductor
+1-408-721-2033
gayle.bullock@nsc.com
SOURCE National Semiconductor Corporation
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Related links:
http://www.magnachip.com/
http://www.st.com/ http://www.chimei.com.tw/
http://www.himax.com.tw/
http://www.national.com/appinfo/fpd/ppds.html/
http://www.national.com/
CONTACT:
Gayle Bullock of National Semiconductor,
+1-408-721-2033, or gayle.bullock@nsc.com
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