News Release
News Release: Aug.03, 2010
Adding frame interpolation(x2) function provides smoother image quality for One-Seg broadcasts
Development of Picture Quality Improvement LSI for Small LCD Devices
| Product Name | Picture quality improvement LSI for small LCD devices |
|---|---|
| Product Number | LC749403BG |
| Nickname |  SDPiC (Sanyo Digital Picture Improvement Core) |
| Sample shipment availability | from July 2010 |
| Production Plan | 100,000 units per month |
The SANYO Semiconductor Co., Ltd. has developed "LC749403BG", a picture quality improvement LSI for small LCD devices. This LSI features our unique technology of frame interpolation(x2) function to improve image quality in One-Seg-specific "jumpy motion" and deliver smoother picture quality for small LCD devices such as car navigation systems and portable TVs which are enabled to receive One-Seg broadcasts. We commenced shipment of samples of this product from July 2010.
Along with the frame interpolation(x2) technology, this product also equipped with various functions necessary for One-Seg broadcasts, such as rough gradation correction as well as an automatically-regulating backlight function, etc. in order to deliver the highest quality picture. Since these are controlled by hardware processing, the unit is able to produce high quality picture with lower power consumption and lower costs without increasing the device's power consumption.
Features
- Thanks to hardware processing, able to realize frame interpolation(x2) for One-Seg broadcasts with low power consumption.
- Corrects One Seg-specific rough gradation and provides a smoother, more natural picture image.
- Automatically-regulating backlight that controls its intensity, according to the brightness of the video input signal, reducing backlight power consumption by 35%*1.
*1 The average value calculated by in-house experiment. It was observed current value in "ON" and "OFF" mode of the light intensity control while displaying video clip or news video on a small LCD screen. The light intensity can be reduced from 0 to 100% in theory, however the reduced value differs significantly by video source.
SDPiC is a registered trademark of Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
Overview
In line with fully switching over to digital broadcasting by July 2011, the number of One-Seg broadcast-enabled portable devices are increasing rapidly. Since One-Seg uses one of the 13 segments for digital broadcasts, its data is smaller and it transmits only 15 frames of picture per second. The result is that an undesirable jumpy motion effect remains in the image.
Therefore, we have developed "LC749403BG", a picture quality improvement LSI, by adding the frame interpolation(x2) function to "LC749402BG" which was released in June 2009. This function doubles the 15 frames to 30 frames per second to prevent jumpy motion while a smooth image is maintained. This product also inherits picture quality improvement functions included in current products such as rough gradation correction, dynamic γ correction, contour correction, and color correction. ALl these functions are built into a single chip (one package) with optimum specifications designed for small LCD devices. Thus it enables even a 12-inch LCD screen to display smoother, more natural image.
Since all of the picture quality improvement functions are controlled through hardware processing, high quality picture can be attained by simply adding this product between the main controller and the LCD panel, without placing an extra burden on the main controller. In addition, as it now includes a timing controller*2 which had previously been required externally, it is possible to combine picture quality improvement and low power consumption by lower costs without increasing the requirements placed upon the design of the device unit.
We are working towards offering products that incorporate peripheral components and further increase image quality, as well as developing LSIs that are eco-friendly and easy to use for our customers.
*2 Timing controller: Function whereby a control signal output is synchronized with the timing of an LCD display.
Features
- Thanks to hardware processing, able to realize frame interpolation(x2) for One-Seg broadcasts with low power consumption.
Since only 15 frames of picture per second can be transmitted for One-Seg broadcasts, it is difficult to reproduce the original smooth motion picture. With our uniquely developed hardware technology, this LSI is able to predict the interim image from the movement of the image before and after, and thereby interpolate at 30 frames per second, reducing jumpy motion and providing an image with more natural movement.
Although some frame interpolation(x2) functions for One-Seg broadcasts have already been demonstrated on mobile devices, almost all of them were applied through software processing. Since functions other than frame interpolation are also processed simultaneously at high speed, frame interpolation via software processing is not suitable for long periods of viewing due to the increased power consumption. Moreover, some interpolation systems provide only a single direction (horizontal direction only) due to issues of processing capacity. In that respect, our uniquely developed frame interpolation(x2) function is fully integrated with hardware processing, thereby enabling frame interpolation by predicting multidirectional (vertical and horizontal) motion and providing smooth motion for various images, whatever the movement encountered, while reducing power consumption. - Corrects One Seg-specific rough gradation and provides a smoother, more natural picture image.
Since there is lower volume of data for One-Seg broadcasts, color density gradation becomes rougher and phenomenon of striped patterns appearing is observed. Existing gradation correction methods causes the outline of the images to blur when an attempt is made to smooth out gradation. However, our unique filtering technology allows for the correction of only the rough gradation itself while keeping the sharp outline of the image to provide a smooth natural color image. - Automatically-regulating backlight that controls its intensity, according to the brightness of the video input signal, reducing backlight power consumption by 35%*1.
For LCD panels that display images by exposing the backlight's source, low power consumption of backlight is key for the overall reduction of power consumption throughout the device unit. Compared to the existing backlight lighting up with 100% intensity, our product includes an automatic control function which enables the unit to calculate an appropriate light intensity between 0-100 % according to the brightness of the video input signal. While controlling light intensity, the input/output characteristic of the video signal is also controlled, thus low power consumption is attainable while maintaining the visibility of the image. The reduction of power consumption by an average of 35% has been confirmed through our in-house testing. However, the reduction value differs due to type of video signal or specification of the LCD panels.
Specifications
| Product name | LC749403BG |
|---|---|
| Input | Digital RGB 18bit/24bit |
| Digital YCbCr/YPbPr(4:4:4) 18bit/24bit | |
| Digital YCbCr/YPbPr(4:2:2) 12bit/16bit(4:2:2) or ITU-R.656(8bit） | |
| Output | Digital RGB 18bit/24bit |
| Digital YCbCr (4:4:4) 18bit/24bit | |
| Digital YCbCr (4:2:2) 16bit | |
| Package | FBGA144 (11.0mm×11.0mm) |
| Supported resolution | 880 dots (horizontal) and 480 lines (vertical) or less |
| Easy to control with I²C I/F or SPI from external MPU. | |
| Designed for lower power consumption (1.2 V internally operating) | |
*The information presented in this press release, including device specifications, is current as of the date of this press release.
Note, however, that this information is subject to change without notice and thus at later dates the current state may differ in certain details from the content presented here.
