Silicon Image’s low-power HDMI transmitter for VIA Technologies’ mobile platform reference design

SUNNYVALE, USA: Silicon Image Inc., a leader in semiconductors and intellectual property (IP) for the secure distribution, presentation and storage of high-definition (HD) content, announced that its SiI9022a and SiI9024a HDMI transmitters are designed into a mobile platform reference design by Taiwan-based VIA Technologies Inc. (VIA).

VIA, a leading innovator of power efficient x86 processors, will incorporate the transmitters into platforms targeting a range of mobile x86 devices, such as NetNotes, netbooks, and portable x86 Internet devices that deliver HD video content and increased battery life.

The low-power SiI9022a and SiI9024a HDMI transmitters are being implemented within VIA Surfboard platforms, a series of mainboard reference designs for a new generation of light, high performance mobile devices with longer battery life, larger screen sizes and support for playback of high bit-rate 1080p high-definition video.

These platforms are designed to enable partners of the VIA Global Mobility Bazaar (GMB) program to bring new mobile devices to market more quickly and cost-effectively.

“We serve our customers by anticipating and developing the most appropriate new technologies that will meet their needs in terms of functionality, performance, power efficiency and cost effectiveness,” said Kevin YC. Huang, VIA GMB Chairman and senior sales director at VIA Technologies.

“We selected Silicon Image for our Surfboard reference design because of its expertise in HDMI technology and its proven track record for delivering high-quality, cost-effective solutions for consumer electronics products.”

“Ultra-mobile devices such as Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) and netbooks, which can access full Internet content and applications, have a projected market size of 185 million units by 2015,” said Jim McGregor, chief technology strategist with market research firm In-Stat. “The smaller form factor notebooks can support high-definition video, however, their screens are small and using an HDMI cable to help with playback is the right design. More than one third of these designs have HDMI output and not just VGA.”

Silicon Image SiI9022a and SiI9024a transmitters are optimized for the fast-growing mobile device market and deliver:
* New 72-pin QFN (Quad Flat No Leads) package
* Clock speeds up to 165MHz
* Support for dual-edge clocking
* Resolution of 480i to 1080p at 60Hz
* 24-bit RGB input for conversion to HDMI

“We collaborated with customers such as VIA to develop a new optimal package for our low-power HDMI 1.3 transmitters that addresses the unique design requirements of emerging ultra-mobile devices like NetNotes and MIDs,” said Conrad A. Maxwell, senior product marketing manager at Silicon Image, Inc. “Both products enable these devices to directly connect to DTVs via HDMI, while one transmitter also supports content protected media.”

The SiI9022a and SiI9024a HDMI 1.3 transmitters are designed to reduce system bill of materials (BOM) costs with an integrated on-chip Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) function, a universal remote control feature that is typically implemented in an external microcontroller at additional cost. The CEC feature provides consumers with added convenience, allowing them to use a single remote control to run multiple CEC-enabled HDMI devices.

The SiI9022a and SiI9024a HDMI transmitters for the ultra-mobile device market applications are sampling now and will be available in mass production in December 2009. Pricing is available upon request.