The Newly-Developed Top-Class BU66R01CH Single-Chip LCD Driver for 16,770,000-Million
Color QVGA Displays for Multi-Function TFT-Display Mobile Phones With a Built-In MSDL2
High-Speed Serial Interface and Fewer Interface Wires

ROHM CO., LTD. has recently completed the development of the BU66R01CH driver for amorphous TFT color LCD panels. The BU66R01CH has a built-in MSDL LCD serial interface function for multi-function mobile phones × a world's first.
By delivering a source/gate driver and power circuit on a single chip capable of driving QVGA¹-size LCD panels and 16,770,000-color display, this chip meets the increasing demand for greater resolution, more colors, and video display which are requirements for increasingly popular third-generation mobile phones. (Mass production schedule is considerated with customers needs.)

· Features

1. Delivers a driver function for 16,770,000-color QVGA-size LCD panels on a single chip
   The BU66R01CH has combined the conventional gate driver/source driver 2-chip configuration into a single chip that cuts down on the number of parts in the panel module thanks to its built-in power circuit and picture frame memory. It also delivers power savings as a result of its unique drive system.
   The chip is further equipped with an RGB gamma correction function to deliver greater display quality, in addition to the 16,770,000-color display. Fine-tuning of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) gradations makes it possible to deliver faithful color reproduction in pictures which require natural skin tones and landscape hues.
2. Compatible with the MSDL2 high-speed differential serial transmission interface
   The BU66R01CH is compatible with the MSDL2 in addition to conventional parallel and serial interfaces. MSDL ("Mobile Shrink Data Link") is ROHM's unique technology for high-speed differential serial transmission for LCD module interfaces, and has already shipped as an MSDL transceiver for over 7 million pieces for third-generation mobile phones. In order to make the BU66R01CH compatible with QVGA full-color display, it has built-in MSDL2, which doubles the conventional MSDL's transmission rate of 100 Mb/sec per data channel to 200 Mb/sec. Conventional parallel interfaces were configured with 12 or even 20 wires2, but the BU66R01CH can perform LCD module control and picture data transmission with only 4 or 6 wires. The BU7930GU MSDL2 transceiver which delivers high-speed serial transmission in a set with the BU66R01CH has been developed simultaneously, allowing for easy application to systems with conventional parallel interfaces.

· Development Background

ROHM began mass production of drivers for small LCD panels designed for mobile phones in 2001.
The BU66R01CH targets the LCD panels for multi-function mobile phones, which are expected to boom in popularity globally. Third-generation mobile phones are increasingly compatible with internet, gaming, and digital TV viewing applications, making high resolution, multi-color, and video required functions for displays. The BU66R01CH meets this market demand with a built-in MSDL2 high-speed differential serial interface compatible with high-volume video data transmission, QVGA size, and 16,770,000-color display.
ROHM has been mass producing and shipping the MSDL transceiver for third-generation mobile phones since spring 2004, and has been building a wealth of know-how and experience in application of this high-speed differential serial transmission technology for mobile phones as a solution to cut down on the number of wires passing through hinge sections and reducing EMI3 noise.
The BU66R01CH has a built-in MSDL2, enabling it to capitalize on the advantages of MSDL and reduce the mounting space compared to conventional transceiver configurations. The not-too-distant future will see a broader lineup including a built-in MSDL2 or even the unbelievable 450-Mb/sec MSDL3 according to the purpose and/or function of the LCD driver for multi-function mobile phones.

· Notes

1. QVGA(Quarter Video Graphics Array):
   A display definition standard at 240 × 320 pixels.
2. Conventional parallel interfaces are popular for 8-bit and 16-bit data buses and bus control signals (chip select, address, read / write strobe). Anything else requires reset and other control signals.
3. EMI(Electromagnetic Interference):
   EMI refers to noise (unwanted radiation) generated from electronic devices. Global standards have been set, limiting this kind of interference. The harmonic component of digital signals is a common source of EMI.