Xilinx Expands Programmable Advantage for Consumer Digital TV Displays

New Consumer DTV Targeted Design Platform based on Spartan-6 FPGAs simplifies integration of differentiated video algorithms and latest generation of digital interface standards

LAS VEGAS, Jan 07, 2010 -- At the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) today, Xilinx, Inc. (Nasdaq: XLNX) introduced the first market-specific Targeted Design Platform optimized for creating state-of-the-art digital television (DTV) solutions with the low-cost, low-power Xilinx(R) Spartan(R)-6 field programmable gate array (FPGA) family. The Xilinx Consumer DTV Targeted Design Platform streamlines development of advanced video algorithms with the latest video interface standards, including DisplayPort, V-by-One(R)HS, HDMI, and LVDS.

DTV OEMs can now bring consumer digital displays to market quickly with high-definition picture quality and greater feature differentiation. The functions of multiple application-specific standard products (ASSPs) can be designed into a single Spartan-6 device with the integrated hardware and software platform tailored specifically for DTV applications, ranging from standard LCD and PDP products to newer Organic LED (OLED) and 3DTV systems. Xilinx is showcasing the new consumer DTV platform at CES this week from January 7th through January 10th with live demonstrations in Xilinx Booth 35162MP located in South Hall 4 of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

"In the age of the flat panel display, DTV providers have to be both extremely innovative and agile. While they have the financial and intellectual resources to produce sophisticated video algorithms, they are being challenged to differentiate products in an increasingly competitive marketplace with fewer resources, smaller budgets, and tighter schedules," said Harry Raftopoulos, director of consumer segment marketing at Xilinx. "Our consumer DTV platform with Spartan-6 FPGAs provides the design flexibility needed to keep pace with the rapid release of new consumer video platforms and digital standards, and the programmable hardware optimized for cost and power-sensitive applications."

Optimizing for Consumer Video Applications

Xilinx already ships more FPGAs to top tier DTV OEMs today than any other programmable logic supplier. The Consumer DTV Targeted Design Platform builds on this market leadership with next-generation programmable technologies and smarter design methodologies delivered in the Spartan-6 FPGA Consumer Video Kit. Developed in collaboration with Tokyo Electron Device, Ltd. (TED), the new Consumer Video Kit is fully integrated and scalable with all the hardware and software needed to design right out of the box. This includes a Spartan-6 LX150T FPGA base board along with several daughter cards based on the industry-standard FPGA Mezzanine Card (FMC) specification(1), soft IP from Xilinx and TED supporting emerging and de facto high-speed display interfaces, the ISE(R) Design Suite Embedded Edition software environment, and Targeted Reference Designs.

Customizable Targeted Reference Designs

The Targeted Reference Designs provided with the kit leverage the high-speed connectivity and low-power features of Spartan-6 FPGAs to implement single-chip systems that save power, space, cooling and improve performance, while reducing bill of material cost as compared to multi-chip ASSP-based alternatives. Support for DDR2 memory interfacing and power-optimized serial transceivers embedded in the Spartan-6 LX150T device enable design, debug, and integration of high-speed video interfaces, including DisplayPort, V-by-One HS, HDMI, PCI Express(R) and LVDS.

Together with the base development board and FMC daughter cards, the Targeted Reference Designs can be used to jumpstart development of consumer DTVs and digital still and motion cameras, as well as industrial surveillance products. Multiple examples provide best practices for compiling, debugging, and profiling Spartan-6 FPGA-based video applications and demonstrate how to customize designs for maximum end-product differentiation.

Scalable Development Environment

The RoHS-compliant base board with Spartan-6 LX150T device and four FMC connectors enable integration of picture quality enhancement algorithms with daughter cards supporting DisplayPort 1.1, V-by-One HS, HDMI 1.3, and 1.05Gbps LVDS interfaces. The platform allows designers to evaluate and modify video algorithms in silicon earlier than is typically feasible with ASSP or ASIC implementations, and easily update systems throughout product development and production with the latest video standards and proprietary algorithms.

Pricing & Availability

The Spartan-6 FPGA Consumer Video Kit is available today in two configurations with 30-day promotional pricing from Xilinx Alliance Program member TED (under "inrevium" product brand) and its distributors. The full-featured kit is priced at US$2,495 and includes the DisplayPort, V-by-One HS, HDMI, and LVDS daughter cards. An entry-level kit with LVDS daughter card is priced at US$1,255. Both configurations come with all the documentation, cables, and power supplies needed to get started. The ISE Design Suite Embedded Edition included with the kits is device locked to the Spartan-6 LX150T-FG676 FPGA. For more information about the Spartan-6 FPGA Consumer Video Kit, visit: www.xilinx.com/s6cvk.

About Xilinx in Consumer Electronics

Xilinx is the worldwide leader in programmable logic solutions, offering the optimal balance of price, power, and features for consumer electronics with high-definition digital video, high-performance image processing, and high-speed connectivity. These capabilities are delivered with Xilinx Targeted Design Platforms that simplify development and differentiation of high quality digital displays, set-top boxes, multi-function printers, digital cameras and camcorders, and portable handheld devices. For more information on how to accelerate the time to market of low-cost, innovative digital imaging products, visit: www.xilinx.com/consumer.