Smart display controllers use APIX3 technology

Socionext has expanded its portfolio of display controllers and SoCs with APIX interfaces over the years, thereby covering the need for ever more networked and more sophisticated display architectures in vehicles. With this in mind, the fourth generation of smart display controllers has already been developed with the designation SC172x. The first samples will be available by 2Q 2022.

For the first time, the extended features of the fourth generation also include a repeater function where several graphic controllers can be cascaded. This enables new architectures such as panoramic displays in the dashboard where there is a clear trend towards ever larger or multi-display applications. Moreover, new functionalities such as Local Dimming and Warping-on-the-fly will be implemented in order to support more demanding requirements and to achieve system integration.  

“Socionext has successfully integrated APIX technology into its smart display controllers and other products over several generations, so that it is now fair to speak of a de facto standard,” said Koichi Yamashita, Corporate Senior Vice President, Head of Automotive Business Unit of Socionext. "Thanks to the high flexibility and the scalable bandwidths, a wide variety of applications can be served in the car - from inexpensive, simple information displays through to sophisticated infotainment systems to safety-relevant instrument clusters."

Robert Kraus, CEO of Inova Semiconductors, added: "With over 150 million parts sold, we have established APIX technology in the market with licensed partners like Socionext. In addition to the performance and scalability of APIX technology, the decisive factor for success is the availability of a complete ecosystem: semiconductor modules from several manufacturers, together with all other important components such as cables, connectors, evaluation boards and test solutions.

“And, the promise of our APIX partners that all components of the APIX ecosystem will function with one another without restriction. Together with very good application support (without it, the complex designs in the Gbps area are impossible) we ensure that systems in vehicles work reliably. This is what ultimately counts for the acceptance and sustainable success of a sophisticated technology; no standard can achieve that."

About APIX3

APIX (Automotive Pixel Link) is a high performance 12 Gbps SerDes (Serialiser/Deserialiser) technology developed by Inova for high resolution automotive video applications. APIX is available from Inova as proprietary chips and also as IP for licensing. Typical applications for APIX3 are infotainment and entertainment systems in vehicles.

APIX3 offers different operating modes of 1.5 Gbit/s, 3 Gbit/s, 6 Gbit/s and up to 12 Gbit/s bandwidth. The APIX3 family is designed for standard displays (e.g. 2880x1080x24 bit, 60Hz) in automobiles, however, video resolutions up to Ultra High Definition (UHD) and colour depths up to 30 bit are also possible.

In addition to versions with HDMI and DSI interfaces, the latest generation features, among other things, a DisplayPort interface and HDCP2.3 encryption, which now also enables the transmission of DSC-compressed video streams with a future-proofed video bandwidth of up to 28.8 Gbps.

In addition to the established HSD connectors and Q(uad) STP cables of APIX and APIX2, APIX3 also supports single-pair STP and coaxial cables. The wide bandwidth of the APIX sideband channels makes it possible to realise extensive functions such as touch control, gesture recognition and camera applications in addition to image transmission.

The components enable the simultaneous transmission of up to eight audio channels. A special feature of the APIX technology is the media-independent interface (MII, RMII, RGMII) for 100-Mbit Ethernet according to the IEEE standard. An SPI interface for convenient configuration of the components and data transmission is also available. 

APIX3 also enables automatic calibration (link training) of the entire transmission path to the cable. This achieves a very stable and reliable transmission, but it can also clearly identify defective cables, errors in the image sequences and other disturbances.

In addition, impairments caused by temperature fluctuations or ageing cables can be detected and partially compensated for at an early stage. With its many diagnostic functions, APIX3 also supports safety-relevant applications and meets all the requirements of the automotive industry with regard to electromagnetic properties.