NEC Electronics Corporation and its subsidiaries in the United States and Europe, NEC Electronics America, Inc. and NEC Electronics (Europe) GmbH, today announced they have developed a new chipset for rewritable DVD drives supporting an 8x recording speed in DVD-R and DVD+R formats. The chipset comprises the uPD63630, a DVD signal processor with ATAPI interface, and the uPC3330, an analog signal processor that controls the servo system of the optical pickup. Compliant with various recording formats such as DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/+RW, and DVD-RAM, the new chipset will enable OEMs to easily configure a DVD rewritable drive capable of handling all the major standards. (The specification for 8x DVD-R recording is currently going through the standardization process at the DVD Forum.)

In the uPD63630, NEC Electronics provides high-speed recording through fast data processing and built-in write functions capable of controlling the recording laser power with high precision. The high-bandwidth amplifier adopted in the µPC3330 also contributes to stable recording at 8x speed for DVD-R and DVD+R.

The uPD63630 achieves high-speed recording while significantly reducing power consumption by taking advantage of 0.15-micron process technology and optimizing clock frequency in each block of the chip. In the uPC3330, the circuit configuration is optimized to reduce amplifier current, which reduces the device's power consumption. As a result, the chipset has achieved a power consumption rating approximately 30% lower than earlier devices.

As an additional benefit, the new chipset also provides 2x DVD-RAM read capability that enables it to read all of the DVD recording formats currently available on the market, including DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/+RW, and DVD-RAM.

The chipset is expected to be used by Pioneer Corporation and NEC Corporation for their new rewritable DVD drives. Both companies are among the world's leading manufacturers of DVD writers.

The uPD63630 and uPC3330 are both housed in thin-type quad flat packages (QFP) while increasing function and performance, which also makes the chipset suitable for a slim DVD drive.

NEC Electronics will exhibit the chipset at CEATEC JAPAN 2003, a major show covering communications, information and video, that will be held at Makuhari Messe, Tokyo, Japan, starting October 7.

Pricing and Availability

Engineering samples of the chipset will be available at the end of this month at US$35 each. The monthly mass production volume is expected to reach 2 million pieces in March 2004. Prices subject to change.

Main Specifications of the Chipset:

1. DVD Signal Processor
Product number: uPD63630
Process technology: CMOS 0.15um
Power supply voltage: 1.5V (internal), 3.3V (I/O) Package: 216-pin LQFP (body size: 24mm x 24mm, 0.4mm pin pitch)
Power consumption: 0.40W (for 8x DVD playback)
0.89W (for 8X DVD recording) Interface: Host I/F: ATA / ATAPI 5
Buffer I/F: 16 Mega bits SDRAM
Recording/playback performance: DVD playback: 16x CAV DVD-RAM playback: 2x
DVD recording: 8x
CD playback: 48x CAV
CD recording: 48x
Functions: Built in Write Strategy function:
Digital Servo Controller, CSS/CPRM function, CD/DVD data encoder/decoder, Memory controller, High performance Audio D/A converterm, Power management
Other: Lead-free design

2. Analog Signal Processor

Product number: uPC3330

Process technology: Bi-CMOS 0.35um Power supply voltage: 5V
Package: 120-pin TQFP (body size: 14mm x 14mm, 0.4mm pin pitch)
Power consumption: 0.68W (for 8x DVD playback), 0.82W (for 8X DVD recording)
Recording/playback performance: DVD playback: 16x CAV
DVD-RAM playback: 2x
DVD recording: 8x
CD playback: 48x CAV
CD recording: 48x
Functions:
OPU Interface: RF differential input, Sensor input of A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H, 1 PD type of Head amplifier
Recording: Auto Power Control(APC) circuit
Servo: Sample hold matrix circuit
Detection of Focus/Tracking/Lens error
Detection of Radial contrast/Mirror
Power management
Other: Lead-free design