Car manufacturers increasingly use electronics to provide high-performance graphics for in-vehicle systems, such as dashboards, cameras, GPS and multimedia entertainment systems. The result is a more compelling driving experience for consumers and flexible, cost-effective development for automakers.

Graphics display controllers (GDCs) are the core drivers of display systems, and therefore play a critical role in the shift from analog to digital systems. But that shift also requires close collaboration among the key development players, especially when dealing with complex systems such as cluster displays.

The recent GDC project between Fujitsu Microelectronics America and Visteon Corp. illustrates the power of such collaboration.

The situation
Land Rover wanted to move from analog to digital clusters to create a more compelling driving experience for its customers. Such a transition is technically complex, with both short- and long-term cost and design implications. Fujitsu and Visteon worked with Land Rover to achieve a state-of-the-art digital cluster.

The two companies worked together on Visteon's new "virtual image cluster," which replaces the conventional instrument cluster for the 2010 Range Rover. The new "virtual cluster" integrates multiple functions and operating modes to present on-demand driver information via virtual gauges, graphical displays and a message center.

Visteon designed-in the MB86R01 "Jade" system-on-chip graphics display controller into its reconfigurable 12.3-inch full-color thin-film transistor display.

Figure 1: Range Rover's "virtual image cluster"

Using a graphics interface provided by the Fujitsu MB86R01 "Jade" controller, the reconfigurable cluster presents information to the driver while helping reduce driver distraction. The new display technology provides flexibility in presenting information to drivers, so that they get precisely the data they require, in all driving conditions.

The cluster redefines the functional role of instrumentation by providing an interface to safely manage the complexity of the Range Rover's advanced vehicle systems through the reconfigurable message center, which acts as the information hub for the vehicle.

The reconfigurable cluster platform is available as a standard fit on the 10MY Range Rover in Land Rover's global markets. The Range Rover's "virtual cluster" is the first production program launched from Visteon's reconfigurable cluster platform, and the latest in its range of clusters with graphic displays. The platform also offers vehicle manufacturers the flexibility to use one hardware solution with multiple graphic applications for easier vehicle differentiation or mid-cycle refresh.

Jade GDC

The "virtual image cluster" takes advantage of many of the features of Fujitsu's MB86R01 Jade GDC, including its high display resolution, hardware and software scalability and support for third-party software systems and tools.

The SoC processor is designed for high-end, high-volume embedded automotive graphics applications such as on-board and mobile navigation systems, graphical dashboard systems, head-up display (HUD) units and rear-seat entertainment systems.