Inova provides DisplayPort video interface and HDC2.3 encryption for new APIX3 SerDes

     Inova Semiconductor announces two new members of the APIX3 SerDes product family: the INAP566TAQ and INAP596TAQ transmitter integrated circuits. APIX (Automotive Pixel Link) is a multi-channel SerDes (serialization/deserialization) technology developed by Inova for automotive high-resolution video applications. Integrated circuits are primarily used in automotive cockpits and infotainment systems. The latest APIX3 can establish multi-monitor connections with bandwidths up to 12 Gbit/s and supports HD and UHD monitors.

     The new INAP566TAQ and INAP596TAQ transmitters offer a DisplayPort 1.4 video interface. Up to four data paths are provided, each with a maximum rate of 5.4 Gbit/s (HBR 2), and an auxiliary data channel of 1 Mbit/s. The INAP596TAQ also supports the new HDCP 2.3 standard to encrypt audiovisual content. The INAP596TAQ is equivalent to a repeater in terms of HDCP standardization. This means that video encrypted by the video source is decrypted after DisplayPort input, and encrypted again according to HDCP 2.3 before being transmitted to the corresponding APIX3 sink component. All necessary HDCP keys are separately

     Stored in each component. Each of the two transmit components can establish APIX3 connections to all compatible receivers via QTP, STP or coax. The devices support various EMC modes of operation, with a fixed bandwidth of 1.5, 3, or 6 Gbps in single-lane mode, 3, 6, or 12 Gbps in dual-lane mode, and a fixed return channel of 187.5 Mbps. The new devices in the APIX3 series are designed for display specifications widely adopted in automobiles (eg, 2880 x 1080 x 24bit, 60Hz). Despite being designed for vehicles, the imaging results are excellent: video resolutions up to Ultra High Definition (UHD) and color depths up to 30bit. The integrated circuit also supports the transmission of DSC compressed video data.

     All devices support simultaneous transmission of up to 8 audio channels. A special feature of APIX technology is its Media Independent Interface (RMII MII), which is IEEE compliant for 100 Mbit Ethernet. The product also provides an SPI interface for easy component configuration and data transfer. The APIX3 link can also transmit switching signals directly to the receiver via the four existing GPIOs (General Purpose Input Output).

     APIX3 devices are backward compatible with APIX2 and lower and, like these devices, provide compensation for cable aging and temperature fluctuations. A new feature of APIX3 is the automatic calibration (link training) of the APIX3 link to the cable medium used. This ensures a very stable optimized transmission. With its numerous diagnostic functions, APIX3 supports safety-related applications and meets the requirements of the automotive industry for electromagnetic immunity and resistance. Typical applications for the new APIX3 chip are infotainment and entertainment systems, as well as instrument cluster and head-up displays in vehicles.