| CompuLab provides the following means to evaluate and adapt LCD panels: |
- Ready for use panel, including cable and s/w setup. Panel: 640 x 480, TFT, 6.4″, LG/Philips LP064V1 or similar.
- Generic driver enabling adaptation of new panels.
- Verification and adaptation service performed by CompuLab.
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| Generic Driver |
| The generic driver enables application programs to access the specified LCD panel as a standard display. CompuLab provides support for the driver’s setup per operating system. |
| Panel Compatibility Verification |
| CompuLab will verify the compatibility of a specific panel with a graphics controller. The service works as follows: |
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1. |
User selects a panel which meets his requirements. |
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2. |
User checks panel compatibility according to below-listed guidelines. |
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3. |
The panel’s datasheet is emailed to CompuLab. |
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4. |
CompuLab’s engineers compare the panel’s datasheet with the graphics controller’s specifications and respond with compatibility comments. |
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| The verification service is provided to buyers of an evaluation kit, and is limited to three panels. |
| Adaptation Service by CompuLab |
| CompuLab provides setup values for the graphics controller, which configure the generic driver to support a particular LCD panel. This service is provided for one panel, whose compatibility has been confirmed previously. |
| Required User’s Actions and Tools |
| CompuLab’s operating system packages contain facilities and tools enabling the setup of the graphics controller to support the required panel. For Linux, the user can either set values by utility or compile them into the kernel. For Win CE, the user sets the values by registry keys. These can be fed into the operating system by the BIOS or compiled into a run-time image. In most cases, the user can accomplish panel the adaptation task merely by using the facilities provided by CompuLab. However, in certain cases, kernel compilation (Linux) or platform re-build (Windows) may be required. |
| Guidelines for Panel Selection |
| The graphics controller of Geode LX is compatible with many TFT available in the market. Final selection should be confirmed by CompuLab. Selection guidelines:
| Panel Type | TFT |
| Interface | Parallel RGB
Analog RGB |
| Resolution (max) | 1920 x 1440 |
| Bits per pixel (max) | 16 |
| Panels having resolutions lower than 320 x 240 are supported by controller; however, they sometimes require complicated adaptation, in which case CompuLab reserves the right to refuse to provide the adaptation service. For Win XP minimal supported resolution is 640 x 480.
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| Tips about panel selection: |
- Image rotation (from landscape to portrait mode) is supported by Linux driver. For other operating systems – check with technical support.
- A typical TFT panel is expected to contain signals such as: R[5:0], B[5:0], G[5:0], CLK, Hsync, Vsync & Data Enable. Check in the datasheet that these signals are available. Take into account that the naming convention may vary.
- Some panels require an additional timing controller chip. Pay attention if the panel’s datasheet specifies this requirement.
- Check that the panel’s input “1” levels are compatible with the 3V levels of CM-iGLX. Otherwise, level shifters may be required.
- Panels usually have 18-bit color while CM-iGLX supports only 16. Therefore, two least significant color inputs should be connected to “0”.
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