Demand for better video, audio prompts HDMI 2.1 IP push
Consumer demand for better video capture and playback has prompted Synopsys to announce a complete suite of IP that will enable SoC designers to implement the latest HDMI 2.1 playback standards, and the most advanced content-protection algorithms, in their devices.
The DesignWare HDMI 2.1 IP will enable devices in which it is implemented to play back uncompressed 8K footage, thanks to support for fixed-rate links that can deliver 48Gbit/s aggregate bandwidth. The IP will also support the standard’s dynamic HDR feature, to enable frame-by-frame colour depth, brightness, and contrast adjustments. On the audio side, the IP implements the enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) specification, which enables advanced formats such as object-based audio.
Content protection is provided by implementing version 2.2 of the High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) protocol, enabled by using DesignWare Embedded Security Modules.
The IP suite includes controllers, PHYs, verification IP, IP prototyping kit, an IP subsystem, and Linux software drivers.
The DesignWare HDMI 2.1 IP is backwards-compatible with the 2.0 and 1.4 specifications, so it will work with current HDMI devices.
Noman Akhtar, analyst at IHS Markit, said: “The adoption of HDMI is expected to grow at a five-year annual growth rate of 4.7 per cent from 2016 to 2021, and will grow exponentially with the introduction of HDMI 2.1.”
The DesignWare HDMI 2.1 receiver IP solution is now available. The complete DesignWare HDMI 2.1 transmitter IP solution should be available this year.
More info
For more details, visit the DesignWare HDMI 2.1 IP web page.
