Parade Introduces New Jitter-Cleaning Device for HDMI 2.0

Parade Technologies Ltd. (Taiwan OTC: 4966.TWO), a leading video display and interface IC supplier, today announced another addition to its portfolio of HDMI™ interface and signal conditioning devices. The new PS8409 is an HDMI jitter-cleaning repeater chip that removes clock jitter and data jitter/skew from an HDMI 2.0 signal. Application of such device greatly simplifies the challenging implementation of HDMI 2.0 in video source, repeater, and display devices.

The support of full-resolution 4K, or UHD, video through an HDMI interface at 60 frames per second requires a doubling of the data rate when compared to HDMI 1.4. The resulting 6 Gbit/sec data rate, which is transported across three data channels within the HDMI cable, poses a particular challenge for system designers. It’s because of this reason that many HDMI 2.0 systems on the market today only support up 3 Gbit/sec, resulting in the use of the lower resolution 4:2:0 pixel format for 4K at 60 Hz video. Implementation of 6 Gbit/sec results in significant signal distortion when transmitted across PCB traces, through the connector, and through the HDMI cable. This is where the PS8409 HDMI 2.0 Jitter-Cleaner comes in.

By placing the PS8409 at strategic locations within the HDMI signal path, signal integrity is greatly improved, enabling reliable operation between devices, including through a variety of cable types. In a video source device, such as personal computer or set-top box, the PS8409 is placed just before the HDMI output receptacle. This maximizes the HDMI output signal quality and also increases system design flexibility. In a video receiver, such as digital TV or A/V receiver, the PS8409 is placed close to the HDMI input receptacle. This increases the receiver’s sensitivity and performance that can compensate for longer, lower quality, or even damaged HDMI cables.

On its input side, the PS8409 includes a configurable equalizer that overcomes signal distortion. The received HDMI signal is then de-skewed and then re-transmitted, using an internally-generated clean clock reference, through robust signal drivers that have programmable pre-emphasis.

“Parade has always been the market leader in HDMI Jitter-Cleaning products,” said Jimmy Chiu, Executive VP of Marketing at Parade Technologies. “Many OEMs have depended on our HDMI 1.4 Jitter-Cleaners to make 3 Gbit/sec work well in their systems. With the new 6 Gbit/sec data rate enabled by HDMI 2.0, this has become one of the toughest design challenges of HDMI 2.0 implementation. The PS8409 will make it easier for more OEMs to support the 6 Gbit/sec rate in their HDMI 2.0 products.”

The PS8409 accepts and outputs an HDMI compliant, DC-coupled signal, enabling its addition into any HDMI device. No firmware or programming is required. The device can also accept an AC coupled HDMI input signal, enabling its use as an HDMI level shifter in a computer system. Low operating power consumption and automatic power down management make the device well suited for battery powered systems and green products.

Availability

The PS8409 is packaged in a 6x6mm 48-pin QFN package and is sampling now.

About Parade Technologies, Ltd. and Parade Technologies, Inc.

Parade Technologies, Ltd. (Taiwan OTC: 4966.TWO) is a leading fabless supplier of mixed-signal ICs for a variety of popular display and high-speed interface standards used in computers, consumer electronics and display panels. Parade’s portfolio of IC products serves the growing demand for DisplayPort™, eDP™ (Embedded DisplayPort), HDMI®, SATA, PCI Express and USB ICs for display, storage and interface applications.

Parade leverages its close relationships with market-leading Tier-1 OEMs to develop ICs that provide unique system capabilities. Many of the company’s devices integrate proprietary technologies that offer superior system signal integrity, advanced system integration and enhanced power efficiency. As a result of the company’s “standards-plus” design philosophy, Parade ICs have been designed into products offered by nearly every leading computer and display vendor worldwide.

Parade Technologies, Inc., is a wholly owned US-based subsidiary of Parade Technologies, Ltd. Parade Technologies, Inc. can be reached at (408) 329-5540, or on the Internet at http://www.paradetech.com.