From: ssegars@armltd.uucp (Simon Segars)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.acorn
Subject: VIDC20 Press Release
Keywords: VIDC20
Date: 6 Nov 92 09:30:55 GMT
Distribution: comp
Organization: Advanced RISC Machines Ltd


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                28 OCTOBER 1992
                                                                             ARM 017
                  ARM DISPLAYS NEW GRAPHICS CONTROLLER
       VIDC20 OFFERS HIGH QUALITY SOUND AND VISION FOR MULTIMEDIA

Advanced RISC Machines has announced the VIDC20, a high performance video controller
that consumes very little power (typically 0.3W) and can directly drive both LCD screens
and CRT video systems. The design has been produced to meet the needs of a wide range
of video systems - from power sensitive portable computers through to desktop multimedia
workstations and from graphics accelerators to games systems.  The versatile device includes
programmable display formats capable of supporting VGA, Super VGA and XGA levels of
resolution at up to 16 million colours.  Other features include a hardware cursor,
programmable pixel rates and an on-chip sound system.

VIDC20's low power architecture will drive the LCD screen of a portable computer directly,
whilst preserving battery life, using a patented, 16-level grey scale algorithm to give high
quality picture rendition.  However VIDC20 is also capable of directly driving a colour CRT,
allowing the same portable computer to use a colour monitor on the desk without
additional components. The power management techniques ensure that functions not in
use, such as the video digital to analogue converters (DAC) and sound DACs do not
consume power.  In addition the on-board palette has been segmented so that only one
eighth is enabled at any one time.

VIDC20 was designed with the needs for higher levels of display resolution in mind.  The
chip can be used to generate 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32-bits/pixel formats at data rates of up to
160Mbytes/second.  The on-board 8-bit linear DACs gives a total of 16 million possible
colours at rates of up to 100MHz and drive doubly terminated 75j lines directly.  The
inclusion of an on-chip phase comparator, when used with a voltage controlled oscillator
(VCO), allows a single reference clock to generate all of the frequencies for any display
mode.  Tudor Brown, ARM's Engineering Manager, commented: "By understanding how
graphics systems are built we have designed  a chip that can be used cost-effectively in a
wide range of applications."

VIDC20 also supports a hardware cursor in all of its modes - high resolution, interlace and
LCD.  By offering cursor support on-chip the designer benefits from higher performance
and lower software overhead resulting in a better "look and feel" for the user.  The cursor
is 32 pixels wide, an unlimited number of pixels high and can be displayed in 4 colours
from its own 28-bit wide palette.

As well as providing a programmable display system the chip also supports two different
sound systems.  An on-chip system incorporates an 8-bit mu-law DAC providing up to eight
channels of stereo sound. A 32-bit serial sound interface output enables the connection of
external CD DACs.  The on-chip sound system makes the development of powerful yet low
chip-count X-terminal controllers straightforward.  For higher quality multi-media
applications requiring both sound and vision the design provides a straightforward interface.

The design of a product incorporating both high speed digital and analogue circuitry
requires a close relationship between the designer and the manufacturer.  ARM collaborates
closely with its semiconductor partners - VLSI Technology Inc. and GEC Plessey
Semiconductors Ltd - on all phases of the design from specification through to production,
to ensure the smooth transition from development to volume manufacture.

Jeff Hendy, VLSI's Director of New Business Development, said: "Our close relationship
with ARM over the past several years has enabled us to offer our customers a unique
spectrum of solutions based on performance and flexibility. The introduction of the VIDC20
extends this spectrum of solutions and delivers to our customers not only high graphics
performance capabilities, but a broad range of graphics options on a single device as well."

The ARM design approach is to make its products available as both packaged parts and as
ASIC macrocells.  VIDC20 was no exception and was designed using a modular approach
to allow different versions to be created quickly and easily to customer specification.  Robin
Saxby, Managing Director of ARM commented: "Our QuickDesignTM approach using
functional building blocks allows us to produce our products very quickly and easily, giving
our customers exactly what they want, when they want it, without the need for a complete
redesign every time a change is desired. ARM customers can now have the benefits of the
VIDC20 in a library for inclusion in other ARM circuits."

The VIDC20 is available from VLSI Technology in a 128 pin PQFP package. Budgetary
pricing for the part is $36 in 1K quantities. 

Advanced RISC Machines (ARM) was formed in 1990 by Acorn Computers, Apple
Computer and VLSI Technology.  ARM focuses on high performance, low cost, low power
consumption 32-bit RISC processors for embedded control, computing, digital single
processing and portable applications.  ARM also designs peripherals, supporting software
and hardware tools.  ARM has licensed its technology to two semiconductor product
partners, GEC Plessey Semiconductors and VLSI Technology.  Both manufacture and sell
ARM products world-wide; ARM also offers design service, consultancy, feasibility studies,
training and supply of prototypes.

                              ***[ENDS]***

ISSUED BY: Ralph Tuckwell, MMC Group plc, Mitchell House, Montem Road, New
Malden, Surrey KT3 3QW. Tel: (081) 336 1282. Fax: (081) 949 2603.

ON BEHALF OF: Robin Saxby, Advanced RISC Machines Ltd, Swaffham Bulbeck,
Cambridge CB5 0NA. Tel: (0223) 813000. Fax: (0223) 812800. E-mail address:
marketing@armltd.co.uk

************************************************************************************

Simon Segars : ssegars@armltd.co.uk
Advanced RISC Machines Ltd