ICs Rev Up Color Displays, Extend Battery Life

The FPD94128 controller/column driver and FPD93140 power supply/gate driver combine low-power consumption with a unique interface to improve AMLCD color and contrast while extending battery life in mobile phones. The chipset integrates an image-dependant backlight controller that reduces backlight intensity, cutting the typical backlight power of 150 mW by 50% or more. The FPD94128 allows users to program color depth for 3-, 9-, 12-, or 18-bit color modes, providing a trade-off of power consumption for display quality. The FPD93140 integrates a 241-channel row driver, charge pump power supplies, and a VCOM driver. The power supplies operate from the system's Li-ion battery. Both chips use a video interface that accepts data in 18-bit RGB or 8- or 16-bit 4:2:2 Y'CbCr, allowing direct connection to image sensors in camera phones. Additionally, the chipset is programmable for any display matrix up to 176 x 240. Available as gold-bumped die, the chipset costs $9.99 each/1,000. NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR CORP., Santa Clara, CA. (800) 272-9959.