Analogix Semiconductor designs and manufactures semiconductors for the digital multimedia market, from smartphones to high-end graphics cards and high-definition displays. Analogix is the leading supplier of DisplayPort semiconductors for smartphones, tablets, and PCs. Below is our interview with Andre Bouwer, VP of Marketing at Analogix:

Q: Tell us something more about Analogix and your history?

A: Analogix was founded in 2002 and is the leading supplier of DisplayPort semiconductors for smartphones, tablets, and PCs. Core competence is low-power, high-speed serializers – deserializers. As such – suitable for mobile markets: smart phone, tablet and notebooks.

Leader in DisplayPort – for both internal and external screen connectivity – with over one billion DisplayPort devices shipped as of December 2014.

Analogix is also an industry leader in timing controllers, allowing display manufacturers to build lower-power, higher-resolution displays. Our innovative TCON technology has been adopted by the first Ultra HD 5K monitor in the world, the Dell UltraSharp 27.

Q: You’ve recently announced that Acer’s new Predator 8 GT-810 tablet and Iconia Tab 10 A3-A30 both feature a built-in SlimPort interface, tell us something more?

A: SlimPort video out allows customers to play games on the big screen when at home. Acer also provides an Acer branded SlimPort dongle that can be used for both HDMI and VGA displays.

SlimPort®, a brand of Analogix, has been adopted by prestigious consumer electronics brands such as Google, LG, Amazon, HP, BlackBerry, ASUS, Acer, Fujitsu, ZTE, YOTA. SlimPort devices comply with Mobility DisplayPort (MyDP), which is an extension of the DisplayPort standard.

In January 2015, Analogix introduced the SlimPort® NANO∙CONSOLE™, a dock that allows consumers to connect their mobile device to any TV, stream and share digital media. It was nominated for “Best Mobile Enabled Consumer Electronics Device” by the Global Mobile Awards 2015 and Tom’s Guide noticed that “it’s just a very smart idea that I’m flabbergasted no one has tried before.”

In June 2015, LG’s G4 flagship smartphone was released with SlimPort 4K video playback and most recently, Acer has adopted SlimPort for their latest gaming and entertainment tablets announced at IFA 2015.

Q: Could you explain advantages of your technology compared to the competition?

A: Lowest power DisplayPort transmitter & receiver for mobile markets.

We are the only provider of Mobility DisplayPort transmitters.

Q: Your SlimPort family of products offers additional features beyond basic DisplayPort and MYDP functionality, tell us something more?

A: Full USB-C compliance. Analogix has embraced the USB Type-C™ wave, and at Computex 2015 we announced our single-chip USB-C port controllers and high-speed switches, ideal for smartphones, tablets, notebooks and wearables. With the release of DisplayPort Alternate Mode over USB Type-C specification by VESA, customers are now using SlimPort transmitters to support the DisplayPort Alternate Mode over Type-C for video out. Manufacturers benefit from unified hardware and software across the full range of device form factors, making Analogix the one-stop shop for all USB-C implementations.

In August 2015, Analogix and Granite River Labs (GRL) partnered to expand The SlimPort Adopters Program℠to include USB Type-C™, granting adopters a means to certify performance, compatibility and interoperability of video and audio between devices with USB-C ports.

The SlimPort Adopters Program provides a certification process where OEMs can submit devices for signal integrity, functional performance and interoperability. Interoperability results will be posted on slimport.com – which helps to address the confusion about which products support video and which don’t.

Q: What can we expect from Analogix in the next six months?

A: More USB-C products including both SlimPort video out and basic USB-C controllers.