FPGAs handle multiple monitors on a single DisplayPort connection thanks to new IP

Microsemi Corporation, today announced the availability of Bitec’s DisplayPort intellectual property (IP) core optimized for PolarFire field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). Compared to alternative solutions, the core gives designers the ability to take advantage of the PolarFire family’s smaller size and 50 percent lower power to enable stunning image quality in small formfactor embedded displays and monitors.

“Bitec’s targeting of our award-winning PolarFire FPGAs with its IP enables designers to easily meet requirements for small size and low power when implementing their DisplayPort 1.4a interfaces,” said Ted Marena, director of business development and outbound marketing for Microsemi. “The DisplayPort IP adds to the HDMI 2.0bdisplay IP Bitec is already providing Microsemi customers as part of our Accelerate Ecosystem Partner Program and we are pleased to be collaborating again to expand our market opportunities.”

Supporting resolutions as high as 8K (7680 x 4320 pixel) ultra-high definition (UHD) video, the newly available IP supports up to four streams so multiple monitors can use a single DisplayPort connection, lowering system costs and speeding time to market. The IP supports from one, two and four data lanes with rates up to 8.1 Gbps, providing designers with a cost-effective, scalable industry standard for internal and external LCD panel connections.

“Given today’s shrinking product lifecycles, it’s imperative for manufacturers to speed their time to market,” said Andy Robertson, director, Bitec. “By targeting PolarFire FPGAs, we provide customers the ability to customize their designs and get to market quickly using programmable devices optimized for the lowest power and cost, as well as offering the highest levels of reliability with exceptional security.”

Bitec’s core gives designers optional high-bandwidth digital content protection (HDCP) 1.3/2.2, supporting the latest standard for protecting digital media. Bitec offers a DisplayPort FPGA mezzanine card (FMC) which can be used with the PolarFire Evaluation Kit to accelerate development. Leveraging the Bitec IP makes Microsemi’s PolarFire FPGAs ideal for a wide variety of display-based applications within the industrial, defense, medical, consumer and avionics markets, including virtual reality (VR) headsets, avionic cockpits, medical imaging, industrial displays and heads up displays.