- Overview
- Recommended FPGA Devices
- Intellectual Property (IP) Core
- Technology Background
- Protocol Standard
- Related Links
Overview of DisplayPort Solution
Altera and partner Bitec provide the building blocks and complete reference designs to implement a FPGA-based DisplayPort solution for consumer equipment requiring next-generation video connectivity. This includes DTVs, LCD projectors, and computer monitors. The solution, which includes the DisplayPort IP core and FPGA development hardware, allows you to focus on the core functions of the system design by providing:
- Simple and fast protocol implementation
- Reduced design risks
- Shortened development times
Selected Altera® FPGA families include embedded transceiver I/Os to support the physical layers of the DisplayPort protocol. The logical functions are supported in IP, allowing the protocol and user design to be implemented in a single low-cost device. Additional video processing algorithms can be added using the remaining FPGA logic, embedded memory, and embedded DSP resources. Table 1 gives an overview of the complete DisplayPort solution for Altera devices.
| Table 1. Complete DisplayPort Solution | |
| Solution | Description |
|---|---|
| Devices | |
| Physical Interface | Integrated transceiver I/Os within the FPGA provide physical layer protocol support for 1, 2, or 4 lanes at 1.62 or 2.7 Gbps link rates. |
| Partner DisplayPort IP Core | Bitec's DisplayPort Receiver IP core (supporting specification revision 1.1a) |
| Development Hardware |
|
DisplayPort IP Core
The Bitec DisplayPort Receiver IP core takes advantage of Altera's low-cost FPGAs with integrated transceiver I/Os to get to market faster than ASIC-based solutions. The IP core technical features and integration with Altera's Quartus II design software allow additional functionality, such as video enhancement algorithms or debug ports, to be easily integrated into the design.
The IP core includes SOPC Builder-compatible interfaces to Altera's:
- Video and Image Processing (VIP) IP suite (ordering code: IPS-VIDEO)
- Nios® II 32-bit embedded processor IP (ordering code: IP-NIOS )
Technology Background
DisplayPort is a license- and royalty-free standard designed to provide next-generation high-bandwidth capability between video sources and destinations (Figure 1). DisplayPort 1.1a and 1.2 provide ample bandwidth and features to support current and future (3D, 4K2K, multiple displays, etc.) display requirements. Some features include:
- Small USB-sized connectors and cabling
- Longer cable lengths
- Higher performance (faster refresh rates, > 12 bits color, quad HD pixel resolution)
- LCD direct connection
- Optional audio and HDCP support
- Interoperability with existing DVI and HDMI systems
Figure 1. Simplified DisplayPort Topology
Mainstream PC and GPU chipsets already have DisplayPort functionality integrated, resulting in a wide variety of video sources (i.e. graphics card, netbook, desktop, etc.) which can connect via DisplayPort connectors and cables to DisplayPort-enabled video destinations (i.e. monitors, displays, or projectors).
