Taiwan’s Elka International has announced the first HDMI Alternate Mode cable, which allows phones, cameras and set-top boxes with USB-C video outputs to connect with HDMI port-equipped displays, including HD and 4K TVs, according to Cypress Semi.

“All HD and 4K televisions include HDMI connections, but previously connecting USB-C enabled source devices required adapters or converters that do not enable all native HDMI features,” said Cypress.

Why Cypress Semi?

Because its EZ-PD CCG3 silicon is doing the conversion and management work.

“Elka selected the HDMI alt-mode solution based on Cypress’ EZ-PD CCG3 USB-C controller, using its programmability to streamline firmware development and provide upgradeability.”

This chip includes an ARM Cortex-M0 processor, two 64kbyte flash memory banks, a crypto engine and analogue switching for non-USB signals, such as HDMI control, along with four serial communication blocks and a USB controller for USB Billboard functionality.

Twin flash banks and a crypto engine show Cypress is taking reliable authenticated firmware updates seriously – opening the door to hack-resistant cables.

Also in there are gate drivers for mosfets to control the cable power feed (up to 100W over USB-C cables), regulators for direct 2.7-21.5V operation, and protection against over-voltage and over-current.

Cypress demonstrated its solution for HDMI alt mode over USB-C, and Elka’s cable, at the HDMI Developers Conference in Shenzhen yesterday, and it will be at the HDMI Developers Conference in Taipei tomorrow.

Panasonic and Cypress developed the HDMI alt mode for USB-C specification, and demonstrated it at Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

By: DocMemory
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