NXP expands industry-leading automotive video line-up with new AEC-Q100 qualified video decoder
Magneti-Marelli selects NXP’s SAF7115 video decoder for three high-performance telematics platforms
Eindhoven, Netherlands, August 26th, 2008 - NXP Semiconductors, the independent semiconductor company founded by Philips, today launched its first Automotive Electronics Council (AEC) Q100 qualified video decoder, SAF7115, a video capture device suitable for high performance, in-car telematics platforms, including in-car video reception, in-car entertainment and in-car navigation. The SAF7115 video decoder was recently selected by Magneti-Marelli, an international company committed to the design and production of hi-tech systems and components for the automotive sector, for its new infotainment platform including applications for navigation, car radio and MP3. The SAF7115 will decode the video signals received from the multiple devices and display high quality images on the infotainment system.
Marco Nassi, director of telematics full multimedia systems & ADAS business, Magneti-Marelli, said, “Drivers are looking for increasingly sophisticated entertainment and infotainment capabilities when they purchase cars. It's paramount that electronics suppliers provide cutting edge technologies that take automotive entertainment systems to the next level. We were impressed with NXP's offering and look forward to utilizing the full capabilities of the new decoder.”
The in-car entertainment industry has been growing steadily. According to Richard Robinson, principal analyst for automotive electronics at iSuppli, “Global combined OEM and aftermarket revenue for automotive infotainment systems is expected to rise to $39.8 billion in 2008, up 7.9 percent from $36.98 billion in 2007.”*
The SAF7115 decoder operates on differential video inputs, reducing the decoder's sensitivity to engine and vehicle operation noise, resulting in the best possible picture quality and performance to vehicle manufacturers. The differential input also combines increased cost efficiencies with high quality performance by reducing the effort for shielding cables within the overall infotainment system.
Rolf-Dieter Gutsmann, product marketing manager, TV systems business line, NXP Semiconductors, said, “Working in collaboration with our customers, we ensure that we are bringing the best possible in-car infotainment devices to the consumer. With improved robustness and picture quality, the SAF7115 decoder pushes the boundaries of in-car entertainment and helps companies like Magneti-Marelli develop solutions at the forefront of innovation.”
The NXP SAF7115 has been qualified in accordance with the Automotive Electronics Council (AEC) standard Q100 - Stress test qualification for integrated circuits, and is suitable for use within automotive applications. The AEC Component Technical Committee is the standardization body for establishing standards for reliable, high quality electronic components and components meeting these specifications are suitable for use in harsh environments without additional component-level qualification testing.
The SAF7115 expands the existing family of NXP video chips dedicated to automotive applications, consisting of the SAF7113 and SAF7118 decoders, and the SAF7129A video encoder.
The NXP SAF7115 video decoder is available immediately.
About NXP Semiconductors
NXP is a leading semiconductor company founded by Philips more than 50 years ago. Headquartered in Europe, the company has 31,000 employees working in more than 20 countries and posted sales of USD 6.3 billion (including the Mobile & Personal business) in 2007. NXP creates semiconductors, system solutions and software that deliver better sensory experiences in TVs, set-top boxes, identification applications, mobile phones, cars and a wide range of other electronic devices. News from NXP is located at www.nxp.com.
*iSuppli report, “Automotive infotainment shifts upscale in 2008”, May 18, 2008.