FPD-Link
FPD-Link (Flat Panel Display Link) is a high-speed serial interface standard primarily used for connecting display panels, especially LCD panels, to a display controller in automotive, laptop, and other embedded systems. Developed by National Semiconductor (now part of Texas Instruments), FPD-Link is designed to transmit video data and control signals over a single, low-voltage differential pair (LVDS) cable, thereby reducing cable size, weight, and electromagnetic interference (EMI).
Key Features and Characteristics:
- LVDS Signaling: FPD-Link utilizes Low-Voltage Differential Signaling (LVDS) to transmit data, providing high bandwidth and immunity to noise.
- Serial Data Transmission: Data is serialized and transmitted bit-by-bit, reducing the number of physical connections needed compared to parallel interfaces.
- Clock and Data Recovery (CDR): The receiver employs CDR to recover the clock signal from the data stream, eliminating the need for a separate clock line.
- Point-to-Point Topology: FPD-Link is generally a point-to-point interface, connecting a single transmitter to a single receiver.
- Versions and Evolutions: FPD-Link has undergone several revisions and evolutions, leading to FPD-Link II, FPD-Link III, and later standards like APIX (Automotive Pixel Link). Each iteration offers increased bandwidth, enhanced features, and improved capabilities.
- Data Encoding: Common encoding schemes used in FPD-Link include 8b/10b encoding and others tailored for specific bandwidth and performance requirements.
- Applications: Primarily found in applications requiring high-resolution display connectivity, such as automotive infotainment systems, instrument clusters, laptop computers, medical imaging equipment, and industrial displays.
- Cable Length: FPD-Link is capable of supporting cable lengths of up to several meters, depending on the specific implementation, cable quality, and data rate.
- Industry Standards: FPD-Link helped establish the basis for subsequent high-speed display interface standards and contributed to the standardization efforts within the display industry.