Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE:HIT) today announced the HD66350 driver for XGA-*1, SXGA-*2, 
and UXGA-*3 size large-screen, high-definition TFT LCD panels, which achieves 65 MHz 
operation and a 15V output voltage with 256 gradations through the first-time use of a 0.35 
m high-withstand-voltage process.  Sample shipments will begin in March 1999.

The HD66350 can provide a large-screen, 16.77-million-color display with a wide viewing 
angle, and also reduces output voltage variation to +/-3 mV through the use of Hitachi's 
proprietary offset cancellation method, to provide a high-quality panel display free of 
irregularities.

Notebook PCs and space-saving desktop PCs and monitors equipped with a TFT panel are 
growing in popularity, bringing a growing demand for larger screens, including XGA- and 
SXGA-size, that offer higher definition.  Definition levels can be expected to continue to 
improve up to the UXGA level, and there is also a trend forward increasing the number of 
display colors from 260,000 to 16.77 million.  In addition, there is a growing demand for 
wider viewing angles, using IPS*4 mode LCDs, for example.

In line with these trends, Hitachi can expect to see an increasing demand for special-purpose 
drivers to drive the data lines of high-definition TFT LCD panels.  Hitachi has already 
entered the market with the release of the HD66322 384-output, 10V output voltage, dot-
inversion type 64-gradation driver for XGA-size color TFT LCDs, but with the increasing 
size and definition of TFT LCD panels, there is a demand for vertical data line drivers 
offering high drive capability to handle the panel load, together with output voltage 
uniformity and lower power consumption.  

In response to this need, Hitachi is now releasing the HD66350 384/402-output, 15 V 
output voltage, dot-inversion type 256-gradation driver employing a 0.35m high-
withstand-voltage process.  The HD66350 is a data line driver suitable for use with XGA-, 
SXGA-, and UXGA-size large-screen, high-definition color TFT LCDs.  This driver accepts 
8-bit digital data per pixel, generates voltages for 256 gradations, and provides a 16.77-
million-color display.  The HD66350 incorporates 402 8-bit D/A converters and op-amps, 
and by switching between 384 and 402 outputs, XGA data line drive can be handled by eight 
HD66350 chips, SXGA by ten, and UXGA by twelve.

Moreover, a 15V output voltage has been achieved through the first-time use of a 0.35 m 
high-withstand-voltage process, enabling IPS mode LCDs to be handled and making 
possible 65 MHz high-speed operation.  One important characteristic of a data line driver is 
output voltage uniformity.  With previous models, variation in the input/output offset 
voltages of the 384 op-amps incorporated into the same chip resulted in a drive voltage 
variation of around +/-10 mV.  This new driver, however, employs Hitachi's proprietary 
output offset cancellation method which enables drive voltage variation to be kept to +/-3 
mV.  This results in a high-quality panel display with no irregularities.

In addition, as a means of reducing chip area and power consumption, an improved paired-
amp design is used in which op-amp circuits are shared between adjacent outputs, resulting 
in a 20% smaller chip area and 25% lower power consumption than the previous HD66322.
With the use of a TCP*5 package, employing 50μm pitch technology for the inner leads, the 
design of the HD66350 minimizes both chip area and package area.

Future plans call for an enhanced product lineup attuned to the trends in TFT panel displays, 
based on the offset cancellation method, the paired-amp system, and multi-pin technology.

Notes:  1. XGA (Extended Graphics Array): A standard relating to display definition.
           XGA is a trademark of IBM Corporation, indicating a display size of 1,024x 768 
           dots.
	2. SXGA (Super Extended Graphics Array): A standard relating to display 
           definition.  The display size is 1,280x1,024 dots.
	3. UXGA (Ultra Extended Graphics Array): A standard relating to display definition.
           The display size is 1,600x1,200 dots.
	4. IPS (In Plane Switching): A type of LCD panel structure giving a wide viewing 
           angle.
	5. TCP (Tape Carrier Package): A package mounted on a thin-film tape, allowing 
           ultra-thin type mounting (1 mm or less).

< Typical Applications >
TFT LCD panel applications (notebook PCs, space-saving desktop PCs, monitors)


< Prices in Japan >	(For Reference Only)
Product Code     Sample Price (Yen)
HD66350T         1,200             

< Features >
1.	High-speed operation and high-voltage output
        First-time use of a 0.35m high-withstand-voltage process offers a 15V output  
        voltage and enables 65 MHz high-speed operation.
2.	Offset cancellation method
        Use of Hitachi's proprietary offset cancellation method has reduced drive voltage 
        variation to +/-3 mV, resulting in a high-quality panel display free of irregularities.
3.	Paired-amp system
        Use of a paired-amp system, in which op-amp circuits are shared between adjacent 
        outputs, results in a smaller chip area and lower power consumption.
4.	402 on-chip TFT drive circuits
        The HD66350 has 402 on-chip 8-bit D/A conversion circuits for converting digital 
        data to analog form and op-amp circuits for impedance conversion.  By switching 
        between 384- and 402-output modes, an XGA panel can be driven by eight 
        HD66350 chips, an SXGA panel by ten, and a UXGA panel by twelve.
5.	TCP 50m inner lead pitch
        A 50m fine-pitch process is used for the inner leads, minimizing both chip area and 
        TCP area.