Fujitsu Announces Graphics Display Controller for Automotive Applications

March 10, 2008 // Published as a news service by IHS

According to FME, the MB88F332 is optimised for in-car-applications such as cluster instrumentation (especially hybrid clusters), head-up systems and central information displays.

In this type of application, this new controller acts as a single-chip unit where the Apix link is used in combination with a sprite engine for graphics generation.

The Apix serial gigabit interface, the standard for the transmission of image and peripheral data, will meet the requirements of the latest display applications in vehicles, FME said.

Automotive peripherals such as stepper motor controllers, pulse width modulators (PWMs), analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), inter-integrated circuit (I2C), universal asynchronous receiver-transmitters (UARTs) and sound generator are also integrated onto the MB88F332, allowing the device to control the peripheral functions in a display subsystem.

Typical applications for these interfaces include driving dashboard gauges, backlight circuits, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), sensors and on-board communication.

FME said the MB88F332 optimises the bill of materials for cluster and other display-based systems by eliminating the need for external memories. The graphics processing is based on a line-buffer principle, which eliminates the need for internal or external frame-buffer memory. In addition, integrated flash memory can be used to store a set of sprites (fonts, bitmap objects) without any additional external devices.

FME said direct display connection via reduced swing differential signal (RSDS) or red-green-blue (RGB), 5 volt (V) automotive interfaces and an analogue front-end for the Apix link are also included to reduce system costs.

The built-in graphics engine can generate up to 512 sprites from 4 x 4 up to 512 x 512 pixels in size. Sprites can be animated and can be stored in a variety of colour modes (direct and indirect colour formats). Alpha blending is possible between several graphic layers and overlapping sprites. The graphics engine is controlled via command lists, which allow preloaded sequences of actions to be triggered automatically.

The MB88F332 can be programmed for panels from 320 x 160 up to 1280 x 480 pixels resolution. A built-in timer/counter control register (TCON) unit allows panels to be attached without the need for further controller logic. A signature unit for security and dither and gamma units for picture quality optimisation are available as well as layer blending and automatic fade-in/out. The physical interface to a display panel can be RGB digital or RSDS.

The device also features automotive input/outputs (I/Os), quad flat pack (QFP) and a temperature range of -40 degrees Celsius to +105 degrees Celsius. Sample quantities of the MB88F332 will be available from 3Q 2008. A dedicated evaluation board, software drivers and sample programs will also be offered in this timeframe.

Source: Fujitsu.