Lattice DVI Video Interface

The Digital Visual Interface (DVI) is designed to carry uncompressed digital video data to displays. A popular application of DVI is to connect a desktop computer or workstation with its display device. It is a simple, low-cost interface, which is used in all segments of the PC and Workstation industries. The DVI standard does not transmit any audio channels.

The DVI format comes in two flavors - Single-Link and Dual-Link. In the single-link mode, it uses 3 differential source synchronous data channels and a differential clock channel. In the dual-link mode it has 6 data channels and 1 clock channel. Moreover, it multiplexes 10 bits of data on each channel during one clock period. The DVI standard is designed to carry up to 1.65 Gbps of video data per channel. Thus a Single-Link DVI connection has total bandwidth of 4.95 Gbps.

The Lattice FPGA based DVI solutions are ideal for embedded, digital signage, and industrial applications where customers need to perform proprietary video processing. One such application is Video Range Extender for digital signage customers as illustrated below. The DVI Standard is designed to carry video data from 5 to 10 meters over twisted pair copper cables. However, the digital signage customers often need to transfer large amounts of video data from 1 to 2 miles. They meet this challenge by using optical transceivers and optical fibers for transporting video. In the following class of applications, LatticeECP3 based designs are used to process incoming video feeds and transmit them to optical transceivers. 

To expedite the design of DVI based video interfaces, Lattice offers a readymade Reference Design, Evaluation Boards, starter Demonstration Systems, and Documentation.