Fujitsu Limited

Tokyo, June 10, 2002 - Fujitsu Limited today introduced a new graphics display controller, the MB86293, which features the industry's fastest embedded rendering capability for vehicle navigation systems and video game consoles. Developed by Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. the device is the newest model in the company's MB86290 series of graphics-controllers.

Car navigation systems are now equipped to handle not only standard two-dimensional or aerial-view maps, but also three-dimensional map data. To respond to these demands for 3D capabilities, Fujitsu increased the speed of the geometry processor, which performs co-ordinate conversions, from 100MHz to 166MHz. For the rendering engine, Fujitsu increased the speed from 100MHz to 133MHz. The result is an embedded rendering capability of one giga-pixels/second, when the imaging engine is operating at 133MHz.

In addition, the new controller includes convenient commands for shadowing and framing to make it easier to view vehicle navigation system maps. As with previous models, this controller is equipped with rendering functions to display smooth lines and polygons of any shape, and sophisticated three-dimensional graphics-management functions that can display high-resolution images, correct distortions for renderings in three-dimensional space, and remove hidden screens.

Main Features

Fujitsu's MB86293 includes a host interface compatible with most industry-standard processors. The controller provides a maximum display resolution of 1024 x 768 with an eight-bit-per-pixel color palette display, 16-bit-per-pixel RGB display and the use of true colors in every 5-bits. It also supports the use of two 64 x 64 pixel hardware cursors. The display can include as many as six layers of overlapped screens.

Two-dimensional capabilities consist of point, line, triangle, polygon*1, BLT*2 and pattern rendering. Three-dimensional capabilities include point, line, triangle and hidden-screen removal using Z buffer*3 method. This process writes the details of each pixel's depth in the Z buffer memory, then compares the depth information against the Z buffer when completing the polygon draw.

Special effects capabilities include anti-aliasing*4, bold and broken line management, alpha-blending*5, gouraud-shading*6, texture mapping (bilinear filtering*7), perspective collect*8 and tiling*9.

Main Specifications

Fujitsu's MB86293 includes a geometry processor*10 running at 166 MHz, a rendering*11 engine operating at 133MHz, and an external clock operating at 14.32 MHz. The graphics controller, which can also be connected to Fujitsu's Fast Cycle RAM (FCRAM(TM)) or SDRAM, is fabricated using the company's 0.18 micron process technology. Internal operating voltage runs at 1.8 ± 0.15V; I/O voltage at 3.3 ± 0.3V.

Fujitsu is actively developing graphics chips for multimedia processing, not only for vehicle navigation systems and video game consoles, but also for digital AV systems and PDAs.

Pricing and Availability

Samples of the Coral graphics display controller are available in Japan in 256-pin plastic HQFP*12 for 6,000 yen each (excluding tax).

*FCRAM is a trademark of Fujitsu Limited. Other product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Glossary

1. Polygon:

Triangles and shapes with multiple angles that are used when showing shapes of two-dimensional and three-dimensional data in computer graphics.

2. BLT (block transfer):

A processing method to transfer and draw rectangular pattern data.

3. Hidden screen removal using Z buffer method:

A process that writes the information on depth of each pixel in the memory (Z buffer) region, compares the depth information against the Z buffer when it draws a polygon, and draws only the pixel in the foreground.

4. Anti-aliasing:

A process to smooth the rough edges of diagonal lines by blending colors of the line border with the pixel colors before lines were drawn.

5. Alpha-blending:

A process to show a filtering effect by blending colors of two images.

6. Gouraud shading:

Brightness compensation shading that determines the brightness of each pixel linearly from the brightness of each peak.

7. Bilinear filtering:

A processing method to draw four close points of a texture pixel by blending colors according to the distance from the designated point, when texture mapping is processed.

8. Perspective collect:

A processing method to compensate distortions from three-dimensional projections, when texture mapping is processed.

9. Tiling:

A method to read the color of pixels that will be drawn from the tile pattern corresponding to the designated co-ordinates.

10. Geometry processor:

A processor that performs conversion and management of the peak co-ordinates of map data and polygons.

11. Rendering:

To create images represented by geometrical and numerical data.

12. HQFP (Quad Flat L-leaded package with heath sink)

A type of surface-mounted package.

About Fujitsu

Fujitsu is a leading provider of customer-focused IT and communications solutions for the global marketplace. Pace- setting technologies, high-reliability/performance computing and telecommunications platforms, and a worldwide corps of systems and services experts make Fujitsu uniquely positioned to unleash the infinite possibilities of the broadband Internet to help its customers succeed. Headquartered in Tokyo, Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 5 trillion yen (about US$38 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2002. For more information, please see:http://www.fujitsu.com/

[Press Contacts] Eisuke Sato, Nancy Ikehara Fujitsu Limited, Public & Investor Relations Tel: +81-3-3215-5259 (Tokyo) Fax: +81-3-3216-9365 Press Inquiries

[Customer Contact] Fujitsu Limited, Electronic Devices GroupMarketing Division, Marketing Department III Tel: +81-3-5322-3321 (Tokyo) E-mail: edevice@fujitsu.com

Please understand that product prices, specifications and other details are current on the day of issue of the press release, however, may change thereafter without notice.