Inova Semiconductors
Inova Semiconductors is a fabless semiconductor manufacturer founded in 1999. It specialises in development of state of the art products for Gigabit serial data communication and next generation in-car lighting. Their two core product lines are APIX and ISELED.
APIX AUTOMOTIVE PIXEL LINK
The "Automotive Pixel Link". APIX is designed to fulfil the demands of high-resolution, in-car video applications. Meeting the highest automotive EMI requirements, APIX can be used to establish multiple display links with a bandwidth of up to 1 Gbps over a single paired copper cable.
In addition to connecting TFT displays to graphic units, the APIX link can also be used to connect CCD/CMOS camera sensors of upcoming single / multi-view driver assistance systems to a central processor unit or directly to a TFT display, e.g. for rear-drive cameras. Similar to the GigaSTaR technology, the APIX products feature built-in, bi-directional sideband channels which provide for the transmission of additional control signals at a data rate of up to 18 Mbps. Fujitsu Microelectronics is providing graphic and display controller products that feature an integrated APIX.
In 2011, the first cars with the second generation APIX2 technology, based on the INAP375T/R devices, were available. In 2020, the first cars with the third generation APIX3 technology devices have also been made available to the market.
The APIX link has not only proven to be the ideal solution for video and network applications in cars, it has also aroused much interest in other market segments such as security and surveillance, as well as medical applications, and consumer camera systems.
ISELED NEXT GEN IN-CAR LIGHTING
The next generation of in-car ambient lighting will typically comprise of 10 to 30 LEDs mounted on a flexible light strip. Each 'group' consists of one Red, Green and Blue (RGB) LED to form a 'pixel', which is then intelligently controlled by the ISELED smart RGB LED driver. This solution can effectively replace the present (common and cumbersome), costly work-around utilizing multiple MCUs and a slow LIN bus.
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Until now, ISELED smart LED drivers have only been available for purchase already integrated into the LED module. The INLC10AQ is the first standalone driver available that enables manufacturers to custom design their own choice of external LED strips.
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Several LED-related solutions for the automotive market are continuously being developed under the umbrella of the open ISELED Alliance.