FPGAs provide link in novel display technology

E Ink Corp is using Flash-based ProASIC3 FPGAs in its next-generation electronic paper display controllers.

E Ink Corp is using Flash-based ProASIC3 FPGAs in its next-generation electronic paper display controllers.

Providing the flexibility of reprogrammability in a low-cost low-power small-footprint device, Actel's single-chip ProASIC3 FPGA transfers image information from the host processor to active matrix electronic paper displays.

E Ink's technology will benefit multiple portable end applications, including consumer handhelds, PDAs, E-books and mobile handsets.

E Ink's electronic paper display technology possesses a paper-like high contrast appearance, ultralow power consumption and a thin, light form.

It provides the viewer the experience of reading from paper, while having the power of updateable information and memory retention even when the display's power is turned off.

Key to the design of E Ink's electronic paper display is low power consumption, as battery-operated mobile devices make greatest use of the technology.

"Actel's ProASIC3 FPGA provided E Ink with the flexibility of re-programmability in a small-footprint, single chip device", said Holly Gates, Lead Engineer at E Ink.

"Further, the live at power-up nature of the device allowed us to meet product specifications and maximise battery life as compared with other FPGA alternatives considered for our electronic paper display technology".

"E Ink's deployment of Actel's single-chip, low-cost ProASIC3 devices in its cutting-edge electronic paper display technology underscores the advantages that nonvolatile FPGAs provide for today's portable applications", said Martin Mason, Director of Silicon Product Marketing at Actel.

"Providing low power, small footprint and reduced cost on a single chip, Actel's FPGAs uniquely possess a mix of ASIC-like attributes in a reprogrammable FPGA - features highly sought after by the ever-growing community of portable electronics designers".

The industry's lowest cost FPGA solution Actel's live at power-up, low-power, highly secure ProASIC3/E devices deliver PCI performance and are the industry's first FPGAs with on-chip user flash memory.

The ten devices in the ProASIC3/E families, ranging in density from 30,000 to 3 million system gates, deliver technology-leading integrated secure in-system programmability (ISP).

Building on the success of Actel's Flash-based ProASIC Plus family, the fine-grained, single-chip architecture and nonvolatile flash configuration memory make Actel's ProASIC3/E offering a strong ASIC alternative.

The ProASIC3/E design methodology supports popular FPGA and ASIC tool flows, reducing time to market and permitting designers to migrate easily between FPGA and ASIC solutions for applications in the consumer, networking and communications, in-cab automotive, computing and avionics markets.

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