Fujitsu Vehicle Navigation, Mobile Information Systems

    SAN JOSE, Calif.--Dec. 10, 2001--Fujitsu Microelectronics America (FMA) today introduced a new set of graphic display controller devices designed for vehicle navigation systems and mobile information-processing terminals.
    The four controllers include a wide variety of advanced features and capabilities, including two-dimensional and three-dimensional rendering, flexible layers developed specifically for vehicle navigation requirements, and support for screen resolution up to XGA 1024 x 768. They include alpha-blending and anti-aliasing capabilities, along with a CPU interface for direct connection to the most popular embedded microcontrollers.
    "These new graphics controllers are based on Fujitsu's long experience in graphics technology," said Dan Landeck, FMA's product marketing manager. "The automotive market is evolving rapidly. More sophisticated navigation, display and information-processing systems and capabilities are added each new model year. This is a very well-defined set of state-of-the-art products, targeted specifically to the emerging requirements of the industry."

    Full Set of Options Optimized for Vehicle Navigation

    The MB86290A (named "Cremson") and the enhanced-performance MB86291 "Scarlet" versions provide a complete range of graphics control, including Z-buffering, flat or Gouraud shading, and bilinear texture mapping. Both controllers perform high-quality rendering operations with quality similar to leading-edge computer applications, but are designed to operate within the embedded environment and connect easily to the most popular microcontrollers. Each produces high-resolution graphics in XGA formats.
    The MB86291 "Scarlet" version is a superset of Cremson. It adds 16 Megabits of embedded SDRAM and accepts video input for display on one of the overlay panels. The Scarlet also doubles graphics processing power and performs complete 3D rendering operations including transport, clipping, screen projection and triangle setup. The multiprocessing core, combined with the high-memory bus bandwidth, enables the Scarlet controller to specify a sustained rate of one million polygons per second, more than any competitive product now available.
    The Cremson and Scarlet versions provide overlay plane console, window, middle and base-overlay plane layers. The screen can be split into two separate panels and each side can display different information. Alternatively, the panels can display the same map with one side zooming in or out or scrolling up and down while the other remains stationary. Each side can have at least one independent overlay panel that makes use of alpha-blending enabling buttons, arrows and other images to be semi-transparently imposed over the map or other image. Two additional overlay panels, which cover the entire display and cannot be split, are also available. All features serve the complex window configurations required in vehicle navigation systems.

    "Lavender" and "Jasmine" Versions Target Dashboards, Control
    Panels

    Two other controllers are also available. The MB87J2120 "Lavender" version provides two-dimensional rendering functions for dashboards, user interfaces in consumer applications, and control panels. The bit-stream formatter and backlight controller ease connections with any of the LCD panels used in automotive applications. The controller supports most CRTs and other progressive scanned monitors and displays that are connected through the analog RGB output. The 64MHz Lavender comes with a 32-bit SDRAM interface.
    Also ready for the American markets is the MB87P2020 "Jasmine" controller, an enhanced version of the Lavender, which adds 8 Megabit embedded SDRAM and a video-input interface that accepts a wide range of formats and works with almost all video decoder devices. The Jasmine IC also includes a programmable converter matrix (YUV to RGB) that lets users write YUV formats to layers and then convert them to RGB for scanning. All the new graphics controllers are built using Fujitsu's advanced 0.25 micron CMOS process. Each has an I/O voltage of 3.3V and an internal voltage of 2.5V.

    Evaluation Boards Ready

    A set of evaluation boards is also available now. The StarterKit is a standalone unit comprised of a primary CPU module, which connects to one of the four graphics modules. The connection between the two modules is the host CPU bus interface. The modules enable all functions of the graphics controllers to be demonstrated and allow users to run their own code in a standalone environment. There are also PCI development boards available for the Scarlet and Cremson products. These serve as primary software development tools operating under Windows NT. The PCI boards are shipped with example source code illustrating frequently used routines.

    Pricing and Availability

    The MB86290A Cremson version comes in a 240-pin QFP; the MB86291 Scarlet is available in a 208-pin QFP. The MB87P2020 Jasmine and MB87P2120 Lavender come in 256-pin BGA packages. Prices begin at $20 each in 10,000-unit volumes.

    Fujitsu Microelectronics America (FMA) designs, markets and supports a comprehensive portfolio of advanced semiconductor and electronic devices. For product information, please call 1-800-866-8608 or visit the web site at http://www.fma.fujitsu.com/graphictrl/graphictrl.asp