Up 'til now, the WirelessHD standard has been best suited to large, thirsty devices like laptops, AV adapters and projectors. If we wanted video output from a battery-powered weakling of a mobile device, then we'd either be looking at a WiFi-based option like AirPlay, DLNA or Miracast, which can sacrifice bandwidth and latency, or at a wired connection like MHL, which effectively means tethering ourselves to the TV. However, Silicon Image claims it's come up with a new WirelessHD transmitter, the UltraGig 6400, which allows for gaming and full 1080p60 video and yet is easily light-footed enough to fit into a smartphone or tablet.
The company's optimistic photoshop above shows off the compactness of the module relative to the type of flagship phone it'd one day like to be part of: the silicon itself is 10mm x 7mm in area, or a fifth the size of the older WirelessHD Gen3. Just as importantly, the 60GHz transmitter consumes less power than a smartphone's own local display (around 500mW, with a 30-foot line-of-sight range), has a mere 5ms latency to allow for interactivity, and shouldn't add more than $10 to the cost of manufacture. Of course, we'd have to add a little more to that sum in order to purchase the mains-connected HDMI receiver box -- but in return we'd get to enjoy all our mobile vices at something much closer to life-size.
Silicon Image Introduces the Industry's First Single-Chip, Ultra-Low Power, 60GHz WirelessHD® Mobile Transmitter for Smartphones and Tablets
New UltraGig™ 6400 transmitter wirelessly connects mobile devices to DTVs and large displays with cable-like video quality
SUNNYVALE, Calif., December 10, 2012 – Silicon Image (NASDAQ: SIMG), a leading provider of HD connectivity solutions, today announced the UltraGig™ 6400, a complete WirelessHD transmitter for mobile devices that integrates a 60GHz RF transceiver, baseband processor, and embedded antenna array into a single IC package. Specifically designed for smartphones and tablets, this ultra-low power transmitter enables robust high-definition wireless video connectivity between portable devices and large displays, delivering a cable- quality connection without wires. The UltraGig 6400 mobile 60GHz WirelessHD transmitter is currently sampling to mobile device manufacturers.
"By 2015, smartphones and tablets are estimated to represent a $3 billion+ market for wireless connectivity ICs," said Peter Cooney practice director, semiconductors, at ABI Research. "Driven by the use of mobile products for gaming and other interactive video applications, there is increased consumer demand for connecting these powerful devices to large displays and televisions. Consumers will expect wireless connections to provide the same experience as a wired solution. The UltraGig 6400 is well positioned to meet this emerging market need."
The UltraGig 6400 combines the intelligent beam-forming technology of a 60GHz RF transceiver with an embedded antenna array to enable a secure, high-bandwidth video link to WirelessHD-compliant receivers and displays, thereby eliminating all interference with Wi-Fi-based solutions.
The integrated high-performance baseband network processor ensures that high-quality HD video can be transmitted with near-zero latency and without consuming host processor resources. This approach is ideally suited for mobile gaming and interactive video applications.
The device is designed for low power operation, with all components in an easy-to- integrate, ultra-small form factor 10mm x 7mm package. This simplifies system integration and eliminates the need for discrete antenna placement.
Key features of the UltraGig 6400 include:
• WirelessHD 1.1 compliant RF transceiver and baseband processor
• Integrated in-package 60GHz antenna array
• Ultra-low end-to-end system latency of less than 5ms
• 500mW typical power consumption
• Support for video resolutions up to 1080p full HD with multi-channel audio • Standard video and control interfaces to popular mobile application processors
• Fully compatible with Silicon Image Gen3 and all WirelessHD 1.1 compliant receivers
• Integrated MHL 2.0 compliant transmitter for optional wired HD video connections
"By offering superior performance in an ultra-small form factor package, the UltraGig 6400 establishes a new benchmark for mobile HD video wireless connectivity," said Jim Chase, director of marketing of the wireless division at Silicon Image, Inc. "Mobile devices powered by the UltraGig 6400 will be able to take advantage of a cable-like wireless video connection to other devices in the growing WirelessHD ecosystem."
For more information about Silicon Image's technology solutions, visit http://www.siliconimage.com/.
About Silicon Image, Inc.
Silicon Image is a leading provider of connectivity solutions that enable the reliable distribution and presentation of high-definition content for consumer electronics, mobile, and PC markets. The company delivers its technology via semiconductor and intellectual property products that are compliant with global industry standards and feature market leading Silicon Image innovations such as InstaPort™ and InstaPrevue™. Silicon Image's products are deployed by the world's leading electronics manufacturers in devices such as desktop and notebook PCs, DTVs, Blu-ray Disc™ players, audio-video receivers, as well as mobile phones, tablets and digital cameras. Silicon Image has driven the creation of the highly successful HDMI® and DVI™ industry standards, the latest standard for mobile devices – MHL®, and the leading 60GHz wireless HD video standard – WirelessHD®. Via its wholly-owned subsidiary, Simplay Labs, Silicon Image offers manufacturers comprehensive standards interoperability and compliance testing services. For more information, visit us at http://www.siliconimage.com/.
Forward-looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the functionality, features and benefits of the Silicon Image UltraGig 6400 transmitter and WirelessHD technology. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including the risk that these technologies and products will not perform as anticipated or provide the functionality, features and benefits described in this news release, as well as the risks and uncertainties described from time to time in Silicon Image's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which could cause the actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by these forward-looking statements. Silicon Image assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.
Silicon Image and the Silicon Image logo are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of Silicon Image, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners in the United States and/or other countries.
New UltraGig™ 6400 transmitter wirelessly connects mobile devices to DTVs and large displays with cable-like video quality
"By 2015, smartphones and tablets are estimated to represent a $3 billion+ market for wireless connectivity ICs," said Peter Cooney practice director, semiconductors, at ABI Research. "Driven by the use of mobile products for gaming and other interactive video applications, there is increased consumer demand for connecting these powerful devices to large displays and televisions. Consumers will expect wireless connections to provide the same experience as a wired solution. The UltraGig 6400 is well positioned to meet this emerging market need."
The UltraGig 6400 combines the intelligent beam-forming technology of a 60GHz RF transceiver with an embedded antenna array to enable a secure, high-bandwidth video link to WirelessHD-compliant receivers and displays, thereby eliminating all interference with Wi-Fi-based solutions.
The integrated high-performance baseband network processor ensures that high-quality HD video can be transmitted with near-zero latency and without consuming host processor resources. This approach is ideally suited for mobile gaming and interactive video applications.
The device is designed for low power operation, with all components in an easy-to- integrate, ultra-small form factor 10mm x 7mm package. This simplifies system integration and eliminates the need for discrete antenna placement.
• Integrated in-package 60GHz antenna array
• Ultra-low end-to-end system latency of less than 5ms
• 500mW typical power consumption
• Support for video resolutions up to 1080p full HD with multi-channel audio • Standard video and control interfaces to popular mobile application processors
• Fully compatible with Silicon Image Gen3 and all WirelessHD 1.1 compliant receivers
• Integrated MHL 2.0 compliant transmitter for optional wired HD video connections
"By offering superior performance in an ultra-small form factor package, the UltraGig 6400 establishes a new benchmark for mobile HD video wireless connectivity," said Jim Chase, director of marketing of the wireless division at Silicon Image, Inc. "Mobile devices powered by the UltraGig 6400 will be able to take advantage of a cable-like wireless video connection to other devices in the growing WirelessHD ecosystem."
For more information about Silicon Image's technology solutions, visit http://www.siliconimage.com/.
Silicon Image and the Silicon Image logo are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of Silicon Image, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners in the United States and/or other countries.
