Analysis

Intersil HDMI multiplexers reconstruct weak or impaired HDMI and DVI signals for maximum compatibility in video systems

3rd March 2008
ES Admin
0
Intersil has introduced a family of timing regenerators and multiplexers for HDMI and DVI applications. The ISL54100, ISL54101, and ISL54102 are the only TMDS (Transition Minimized Differential Signaling) solutions on the market that perform both retiming and input switching in a single chip.
The ISL54100 is a 4:1 (4 inputs, 1 output) multiplexer, targeted for applications with many HDMI or DVI inputs, such as TV and A/V receivers or professional DVI switching applications. The ISL54102 provides a 2:1 function, while the ISL54101 is a 1:1 regenerator, useful for cleaning up TMDS signals where there is no need for multiple inputs.

All three products feature a programmable equalizer and a clock and data recovery (CDR) function for each of the three TMDS pairs in an HDMI or DVI signal. Unlike other multiplexers on the market that use the standard ‘equalize and slice’ approach, the three CDRs completely recreate the signal in both the time and voltage domains. The TMDS data outputs of the ISL54100, ISL54101, and ISL54102 are regenerated and realigned to the regenerated TMDS clock signal, creating an extremely clean, low-jitter signal that can be easily decoded by even the most marginal DVI/HDMI receivers, including HDMI 1.3-compliant devices. Since the output of the ISL5410X ICs is completely regenerated, their output signals are often lower jitter and higher quality than the original source.

The ISL54100, ISL54101, and ISL54102 represent a dramatic improvement in the ability of consumer and professional digital video equipment to cope with the myriad sources of poor quality TMDS signals. The regenerated outputs ensure delivery of a pristine signal even when used with inexpensive, improperly shielded and matched cables, first- and second-generation DVI/HDMI transmitters, or PCBs with poor impedance control.

The ISL54100 features a symmetrical package pinout that eases the task of PCB board layout when creating designs that require even more inputs or outputs, such as a dual-Link multiplexer, a 4:2 crosspoint switch or an 8:1 multiplexer.

The ISL54100, ISL54101, and ISL54102 are targeted for use in stand-alone HDMI and DVI multiplexers and repeaters, audio/video receivers, TVs, set top boxes, and DVD players and recorders, as well as any application that must work robustly in the presence of poor quality TMDS signals.

The ISL54100, ISL54101, and ISL54102 are available now in a 128 lead MQFP package.

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