Fujitsu Microelectronics America, Inc.

Fujitsu Microelectronics’ New “Coral᾿ Auto Graphic Display Controller Sets New Standard in 3D Controller Performance

200 MHz operation, 64-bit bus, enable rapid access for high-quality telematics

Detroit, MI, October 21, 2002 — Fujitsu Microelectronics America, Inc. (FMA) today introduced its 3D, 64-bit, 200 MHz "Coral" auto graphic display controller at Convergence 2002 show (Booth #135). Coral delivers the optimal graphic display capability for map creation, video display and other in-vehicle display applications needed by automakers and OEMs.

"Leading automotive manufacturers are now adopting advanced telematics for new cars, trucks and SUVs across all product lines," said Dan Landeck, FMA senior marketing manager. "This graphic display controller gives auto OEMs the ability to display various images in PC-like windows. Coral also can re-size inputs for easier viewing. Auto manufacturers and their customers can use these powerful new capabilities for navigational and video entertainment applications," he added.

The controller provides support for six layers, and incorporates a multiple geometry engine and enhanced video input capabilities. Coral supports conventional XGA (1024 x 768 pixels) display, a 4-layer overlay, left/right picture display, wraparound scrolling, double buffers and translucent display. The 6-display layer supports four different color palettes, each with 256 colors. All layers offer 24- or 16-bit resolution with direct color or 8-bit resolution, indirect color.

Coral operates similarly to the Windows™ operating system. Graphic inputs can be doubled in size, and the windows display-layer management functions can deliver several images simultaneously. This video-input upscaling capability makes possible the display of high-resolution, full-screen-mode multimedia pictures. Both upscaling and downscaling can be set independently in horizontal and vertical directions in pixel or line resolutions. These features are major steps forward in 3D graphic controller performance, according to Landeck.

High Bandwidth, Plus Major Improvements in Texture Mapping, Image Quality
The Coral's 200MHz internal frequency reaches 400MHz for display dot clocks, which enables its rendering engine to achieve an order of magnitude improvement in texture mapping and drawing image quality over previous graphic display controller products.

The enhanced bandwidth allows a faster access rate for graphic elements, such as polygons, and also delivers improved scanning functions within the display controller. Coral's integrated dedicated unit for texture mapping allows the clear display of highly complex scenes, with many map images.

The device's high bandwidth also provides powerful alpha mapping, which enables alpha blending, the process that allows each screen element to be viewed at different levels of transparency. Coral can assign up to 8 bits per pixel, enabling each pixel to be priority selected and mixed, providing optimal control transparency. This capability also enhances Bit BLT (Bit Block Transfer), which can be combined with alpha mapping.

The device integrates a line-depth display capability, which enhances two-dimensional drawing functions by clearly defining the intersecting map lines. Enhanced hardware design also provides improvements in pattern line performance.

Coral can address up to 64MB of external SDRAM or Fujitsu's Fast Cycle RAM (FCRAM™) memory. The device adjusts picture sizes to optimize the available memory space. Due to its highly sustained bandwidth, FCRAM is well suited for graphic/video generation at typical speeds of 133MHz.

The external video input of Coral conforms to the RBT-ITU656 (YUV4: 2:2 format) standard to allow video signals to be displayed together with generated graphic. The video input can accept TV tuner, DVD player or camera signals in PAL or NTSC video formats. The video stream is read, modified and written to a video buffer memory independently from the display scanning process. Video pictures of diverse resolution and frame frequency rate, in either progressive or interlaced modes, can be grabbed, scaled and displayed picture-in-picture.

Compatibility, Packaging and Pricing
Coral uses approximately 1.5 W, maximum. It is compatible with all of Fujitsu's graphic display controller ICs, and can be used with a wide range of different host CPU buses including Fujitsu's FR series, Hitachi's SH3 and SH4, and NEC Electronics' V83. Coral requires no external glue logic. Available in either BGA or QFP packages, the MB86293 is priced at $32 each in 10,000-unit quantities.

Note to Editors
A low-resolution picture relevant to this press release can be found by following the link:
http://www.fma.fujitsu.com/images/coral2l.jpg
For a high-resolution download option please follow the link:
http://www.fma.fujitsu.com/images/coral2h.zip

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About Fujitsu Microelectronics America, Inc.

Fujitsu Microelectronics America, Inc. (FMA) leads the industry in innovation. FMA provides high-quality, reliable semiconductor products and services for the networking, communications, automotive, security and other markets throughout North and South America. For product information, visit the company web site at http://www.fma.fujitsu.com/graphicDisplay

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FCRAM is a trademark of Fujitsu Limited.