STMicroelectronics to Enter Large-Size LCD Driver Market with Column Drivers Featuring PPDS Display Technology
ST column drivers will bring vibrant color and cinema-quality experience to consumers
SAN FRANCISCO, June 6 // - SOCIETY FOR INFORMATION DISPLAY INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM - STMicroelectronics (NYSE:STM) today announced plans to introduce column driver ICs for the fast-growing LCD TV market, following the signing of a licensing agreement with National Semiconductor Corporation (NYSE:NSM) to use their PPDS® (point-to-point differential signaling) display technology. Samples of the first products in the new family are expected to be available in Q3 2006 and will complete ST's existing portfolio of drivers for Plasma, small-size LCD and OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) displays.
Widely used in computer monitors, LCD displays are increasingly being used for flat-screen TVs as large LCD-panel prices continue to become more attractive and earlier performance limitations compared to plasma are overcome. ST believes that implementing the PPDS technology into its designs will dramatically simplify the intra-panel interconnect, reduce the total number of column driver signals required by up to 50% to enable a physically smaller bezel around the TV screen, and provide cinema-quality display performance.
ST brings to this market segment its long experience in display systems and technologies including computer monitors, TV applications, mobile displays, plasma screens, small-size LCD and OLED. The company plans to offer innovative and cost-competitive solutions, leveraging its extensive experience in mixed-signal and high-voltage design, complemented by its leading-edge proprietary BCD (Bipolar, CMOS, and DMOS) high-voltage process technologies.
"ST is implementing its strategy to become a major player in the mainstream high-end LCD TV market. The company plans to offer extremely competitive driver products, based around National's PPDS display architecture, together with our leading-edge process technology developed specially for the application, enabling manufacturers to meet their customers' expectations for performance, TV set appearance, and economy," said Philippe Berger, General Manager of ST's Display Division. "Additionally, ST has the dedicated display driver support teams that will work closely with manufacturers to ease the design process, and the necessary world-class and high-quality semiconductor manufacturing infrastructure to support large volume production in this fast growing market."
"National's PPDS technology is on track to become the new interface standard for LCD panels," said Todd Whitaker, product line director of National Semiconductor's Flat Panel Display group. "National is committed to driving widespread adoption of our PPDS technology by licensing to top tier semiconductor manufacturers such as STMicroelectronics."
STMicroelectronics and National Semiconductor plan to demonstrate National's differential signaling timing controller and column driver chipset at the ST booth (#1302) at the Society for Information Display (SID) International Symposium in San Francisco from June 6-8. The SID conference is the premier international gathering of scientists, engineers, manufacturers and users in the electronic-display industry.
About National's PPDS Technology
National Semiconductor developed the PPDS display interface standard to improve visual performance, lower system cost and provide increased flexibility in the design of LCD panels. Recognized by the International Engineering Consortium (IEC) with a DesignVision award in 2005, National's PPDS technology is a migration from RSDS® (reduced swing differential signaling) technology to a new architecture capable of driving large LCD panels up to 90 inches in diagonal at resolutions up to 1920 x 1080 lines (full high-definition). PPDS technology brings brilliant colors, cinema-quality motion video and high-resolution to next-generation large screen panels. For more information on National's PPDS technology, visit http://national.com/appinfo/fpd/ppds.html.
About STMicroelectronics
STMicroelectronics is a global leader in developing and delivering semiconductor solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics applications. An unrivalled combination of silicon and system expertise, manufacturing strength, Intellectual Property (IP) portfolio and strategic partners positions the Company at the forefront of System-on-Chip (SoC) technology and its products play a key role in enabling today's convergence markets. The Company's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on Euronext Paris and on the Milan Stock Exchange. In 2005, the Company's net revenues were $8.88 billion and net earnings were $266 million. Further information on ST can be found at http://www.st.com/.
PPDS and RSDS are registered trademarks of National Semiconductor Corporation.
Source: STMicroelectronics
CONTACT: Michael Markowitz of STMicroelectronics, +1-212-821-8959, michael.markowitz@st.com
Web site: http://www.st.com/
http://national.com/appinfo/fpd/ppds.html
