(iTers News) - Smartphones are one of the most popular always-on and on-the-go Internet connectivity devices for downloading, playing back and watching full HD videos and games, because their 3G, or 4G –capable Internet connection speed is fast enough to surf Web pages at broadband speed anytime, anywhere.
They are also sporting powerful enough graphic processing unit, or GPU as well as a CPU to match those of desktop PCs in rendering 1080p resolution video images on a crystal-clear, high pixel density display screen.
Yet, they are running short on battery life and screen size, constraining consumers just to watch their favorite HD video programs on a tiny 4- to 5-inch display screen only for a relatively short time span of less than 2 hours.
To break the mold, Silicon Image Inc., a provider of wired and wireless HD connectivity semiconductor and IP solutions, formed a consortium with four global top-tier mobile phone makers in April 2010 to create an uncompressed HD video transfer technology from mobile devices to large screen displays.
To break the mold
Trademarked as MHL, or mobile high definition link, the technology is to transmit 1080p HD video viewing experiences from mobile devices to large size displays like those on TVs, GPS-based car infotainment dashboards, monitors, and even pico-projectors.
The four mobile phone makers include Samsung Electronics, Nokia Corp, Sony Corp., and Toshiba Corp.
Since the MHL consortium released the first version of the MHL specification on June 2010, its manufacturing ecosystem has expanded so rapidly that more than 140 companies have adopted the HD video interface technology for a wide range of their product offerings from TVs to mobile phones
Riding on the rapid penetration of the MHL technology, Silicon Images Inc., a sole licensor of MHL IP, has shipped more than 100 millions of MHL IPs for worldwide smartphone and tablet PC markets over the past 18 months.
The IPs have been licensed to allow silicon chip makers to build MHL transmitter, switch and receiver chips and supply them for global top-tier tablet PC and smartphone makers.
Looking forward, Silicon Image is now set for a second take-off.
The original inventor of the MHL interface technology bets that smartphones will become a future hub of home entertainment as well as car infotainment system, revolutionizing the way that people interact with TVs and other home and car entertainment peripherals.
That promises to open up new market opportunities for Silicon Image, as there will be strong demand for more powerful and feature-richer interface technology between smart phones and large screen displays.
To deliver on the promise, Silicon Image recently released an upgrade on the MHL technology - the MHL 2.0 specification, and announced an array of the MHL 2.0 spec-based silicon transmitter and bridge IPs.
“As all the computing powers are now built into smart phones, we are seeing mobile device will be future PC for productivity applications as well a next generation of gaming console,“ said David Kuo, director of product marketing for mobile products with Silicon Image.
“If you look at all these different usage cases and different segments, connectivity to large displays from multiple devices will be essential in consumer experiences. That’s why there is a need for optimal mobile connectivity solutions,” added he.
Triple play
The MHL standard is a sort of ‘triple-play’ interface technology that can not only carry HD video and audio signals, but also electricity power and remote control signals, simultaneously.
For example, the technology can deliver 1080p 60Hz frame rate video, 3D videos and 8 channel digital audio signals.
On top of that, MHL also delivers data back channel for control signals , which allows consumers to use a DTV remote control though MHL interface technology to navigate and manage smartphone’s UI and menu.
The MHL technology can also take out power from TVs and other home appliances to charge mobile devices’ secondary batteries.
“All these functionality is combined into a low pin-count 5 wire interface. This is compared with the HDMI technology‘s 19 wire interfaces,” David Kuo emphasized.
The legacy HDMI interface technology is a HD interface standard that was specifically specified in 2002 to deliver HD videos between consumer electronics like TVs and Blu-Ray players.
This small form factor helps explain why this MHL technology is the most optimal for mobile HD interface applications.
Equally important, the MHL technology is a connector- agnostic, allowing device manufacturers to choose any mobile connector to deliver data, power and control signals between mobile devices and TVs. They can even use re-purposed existing connectors for the MHL interface technology.
Faster charge up
What make differences between MHL 2.0 and 1.0 are the 2.0 version’s three add-on features. For example, the power charging minimum has been raised from 500mA at 5 volts to 900mA at the same output voltages, allowing smartphones and tablet PVs to be charged two times as fast as the MHL 1.0 can.
Remote control functionality also gets improved, allowing it to better support a DTV remote controller with alphabetic keyboards. More of 3D modes are added, too.
The souped-up functionality will accelerate the penetration of the MHL technology into a proliferation of new home entertainments and car infotainment peripherals as well as accessories.
The expanding ecosystem is also a big boon, as it is making MHL silicon chips more affordable. As a result, Silicon Image expects that even mid-range smartphones will adopt the MHL interface technology.
“Today, very expensive premium smartphones like Galaxy S3 and S3 support MHL. By year-end, however, MHL capability will be built into mid-range smartphones,” David Kuo said. He expects mid-range smartphones with a price tag of US$ 250 will be able to support MHL technology.
Silicon Image expects the deign-wins of MHL 2.0 technology will start in the 1st quarter of 2013.
Silicon Image Inc. is a wired and wireless HD interface silicon IP provider, offering HDMI, MHL, DVI , and Wireless HD interface technology.
Video & Photo by JH Bae