Digital ICs/DSP: Chip Set Ups The Ante For DVD Drives, Allowing 8X Reads, Writes

Nov. 10, 2003

A novel chip set for rewritable DVD drives supports an 8x recording speed in DVD-R and DVD+R formats. The set comprises the µPD63630, a DVD signal processor with ATAPI interface, and the µPC3330, an analog signal processor that controls the servo system of the optical pickup. The µPD63630 provides high-speed recording through fast data processing and built-in write functions that can control the recording laser power with high precision. Compliant with various recording formats, such as DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/+RW, and DVD-RAM, the chip set will enable OEMs to easily configure a DVD rewritable drive capable of handling all major standards. Engineering samples of the chip set will be available at the end of this month for $35/set. The chips will be housed in thin quad flat packages.

NEC Electronics Corp.www.necel.com

About the Author

Dave Bursky

Technologist

Dave Bursky, the founder of New Ideas in Communications, a publication website featuring the blog column Chipnastics – the Art and Science of Chip Design. He is also president of PRN Engineering, a technical writing and market consulting company. Prior to these organizations, he spent about a dozen years as a contributing editor to Chip Design magazine. Concurrent with Chip Design, he was also the technical editorial manager at Maxim Integrated Products, and prior to Maxim, Dave spent over 35 years working as an engineer for the U.S. Army Electronics Command and an editor with Electronic Design Magazine.