Toshiba - Advanced 2D and 3D graphics and high-speed APIX connectivity for automotive instrument clusters

Capricorn-F, which is suitable for (typically) WVGA and DVGA TFT displays, will significantly reduce the complexity and component count of a variety of instrument cluster applications. Full compatibility with the CPU core architecture of other members of the Toshiba Capricorn family allows for software re-use and supports scalability across different display applications, display sizes and resolutions.

Toshiba’s new SoC combines a powerful 64-bit RISC processor, embedded display memory, dedicated 2D and 3D graphics capabilities and a variety of application-specific peripherals and interfaces supporting direct TFT panel control. Embedded DRAM for program and graphic content eliminates the need for external RAM and (by reducing external PCB tracks) simplifies EMC design. An additional memory controller supports applications requiring more memory.

The integrated five-plane graphics display controller (GDC) is complemented by the on-board 3D and 2D graphics engines. These engines support OpenGL-ES 1.1 3D graphics providing features such as alpha blending, transformation, blitting, rotation and scaling. These contribute to enhanced display output and ensure smooth display of changing graphics, while Toshiba’s proprietary adaptive strobe compensation method (ASCM) delivers high quality display of graphics associated with fast-rotating instrument cluster pointers. The graphics engines also provide designers with programmable, selective full colour correction. This ensures accurate replication of colours – for example the colour of a manufacturer’s logo - on the TFT display.

Toshiba has designed its Capricorn family to provide comprehensive connectivity for the display and a variety of input sources. This connectivity is further enhanced with Capricorn-F through the integration of APIX functionality, reducing system-level cost. APIX Gigabit transmission technology allows the high speed transmission and reception of data to and from high-resolution displays, cameras and other image and video sources via a two- or four-wire interface at distances up to 15m. Other automotive-specific interfaces offered by Capricorn-F include MOST and CAN, while SPI, I2C, I2S and UART interfaces provide further connectivity flexibility.