Intersil introduces new four-channel video decoder

     Intersil introduces TW9984 quad-channel analog video decoder for automotive circumnavigation parking assistance applications with built-in analog video encoder to help improve driver and pedestrian safety. Based on market-leading Intersil video decoder technology, the TW9984 replaces up to nine discrete components with a single chip. At the same time, it provides the best analog decoding performance in the industry, enabling advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) to produce 360-degree circumnavigation images with superior picture quality.

     Advanced driver assistance systems is a rapidly growing market segment, primarily driven by the safety requirements of all types of light vehicles. Most new cars today include a variety of optional features, such as a loop camera system for parking assistance and blind spot detection/elimination. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that rear-view cameras can reduce back-up fatalities by more than half. Accordingly, the use of automotive image sensors is on the rise, with ABI Research estimating that shipments will reach 197 million units by 2020.

     The Intersil TW9984 analog video decoder and encoder provide detailed, high-quality video to the driver, allowing him to see objects around the entire vehicle more clearly, not just those behind it. The automotive landscape surveillance system (also known as the landscape Monitor) processes video from four cameras, then combines the four images into a hawkeye top view image that appears as if a camera is located directly above the vehicle. The monitor can help the driver visually confirm the position of the car relative to surrounding objects, so as to achieve safe maneuvering and parking.

     The TW9984 integrates four high-quality analog video decoders and 10-bit analog/digital (ADC) converters to support four analog camera inputs simultaneously. The flexible digital output interface enables system design engineers to easily send images to the processor, which then synthesizes the four images into one complete image. A built-in analog video encoder is capable of transmitting synthetic video (as a standard analog composite signal) to a heads-up (HUD) display. In addition, each channel input of the TW9984 incorporates an analog anti-aliasing filter to further reduce the number of components. This highly integrated design helps simplify system design and minimize solution size to save valuable board space.

     Philip Chesley, senior vice president of precision products at Intersil, said: "Intersil is a leader in multi-channel video technology and is at the forefront of applications for automotive advanced driver assistance systems. The decoder's innovative architecture and high integration result in ultra-clear images that help improve driver and pedestrian safety and avoid vehicle damage."