Display driver cuts 3G handset power budget

The PCF8881 is billed as the industry's first 132 x 132 RGB single-chip thin film transistor (TFT) colour display driver for 2.5 and 3G mobile handsets.

The PCF8881 is billed as the industry's first 132 x 132 RGB single-chip thin film transistor (TFT) colour display driver for 2.5 and 3G mobile handsets.

The PCF8881 reduces power consumption by 5-10% compared with competing solutions, extending battery life by 2-4% for handset users.

It supports high-quality images of up to 65,000 colours for clear, sharp graphics, essential for phones with Multimedia Message Service (MMS), camera features and enhanced multimedia functionality.

Philips' semiconductor solution also offers the industry's lowest external part count, which reduces the overall costs for handset manufacturers.

"In 2002, only about 15% of mobile phones incorporated colour displays", said Kenil Vora, Analyst at research firm Allied Business Intelligence.

"This number is expected to jump to 97% by 2008".

Solutions such as Philips' PCF8881 display driver will help manufacturers meet the increasing demand by speeding their time to market through simplified display module design.

Philips' PCF8881 display driver is setting new industry benchmarks with its low power and high integration feature set.

The PCF8881 monitors its own temperature and adjusts power usage accordingly.

Additionally, an on-chip DC/DC convertor drives down external part count by 15% to a low of 15-24 parts.

The PCF8881 enables these power and part savings while generating high quality images through a process of column inversion rather than common electrode modulation.

As a result, consumers can enjoy high-resolution images without line flick and crosstalk.

"The PCF8881 continues Philips' tradition of innovation in display solutions for mobile phones", said Michael Hummel, Vice President and General Manager, business line display drivers at Philips Semiconductors.

"With our continued focus on connected consumer applications, this technology once again confirms Philips' semiconductor expertise and pioneering work in the evolution of mobile communications towards next-generation applications".

Samples of Philips' PCF8881 are available immediately at US $6.00 in quantities of 50,000 units.

Production will begin in January 2004.

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