FTDI Chip is venturing into a new application sector beyond the USB semiconductor and software solutions it is best known for. Addressing the need for ever more advanced forms of human-machine interaction, the company has announced the release of the FT800, the initial offering in its Embedded Video Engine (EVE) family.
Targeted at cost-effective, intelligent QVGA and WQVGA TFT display panels, the IC’s object oriented approach renders images in a line by line fashion with 1/16th of a pixel resolution, eliminating the expense of traditional frame buffer memory.
The controller supports 4-wire resistive touch sensing with built-in intelligent touch detection and an embedded audio processor allowing midi-like sounds combined with pulse code modulation (PCM) for audio playback. The object orientated approach means objects such as images, fonts and audio elements can be easily implemented and manipulated via a low-pin-count SPI or I²C interface.
In order for the desired GUI to be realised, the engineer initialises the object memory (up to 256 KB) and then controls the specified objects and their attributes through construction and interaction of a small display list buffer. As a result of this, even low-end (8-bit) microcontrollers can be used as the host processor if desired.
Up to 2000 objects can be controlled within an 8 KB display list. Eliminating frame buffer memory and the need for a high-end MCU, together with integrating touch and audio in a 48LD space-saving package, provides substantial system cost savings.
The FT800Q is capable of providing 24-bit (true colour) support on an 18-bit interface. It comes preloaded with a useful set of fonts and sounds on its ROM to further facilitate completion of the development process as quickly and easily as possible.
Anti-aliasing mechanisms enhance the appearance of the display’s output when rendering lines and complex shapes or when implementing signatures on resistive touch screens. Built-in widgets mean that even complex objects (such as analog clocks) can be implemented without difficulty, while ensuring high image quality.
Supporting low-power operation, the IC draws only 35 mA in active mode and 25 μA in sleep mode. It has a -40°C to 85°C operational temperature range and is packaged in a compact 7 x 7 x 0,9 mm 48-lead VQFN package.
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