Nippon Precision Circuits, Inc. (NPC, Main office: 4-3 Fukuzumi 2-chome, Koto-Ku, Tokyo, President: Yoshifumi Gomi) starts mass production of a 3-channel video filter/buffer the SM5302AS. The SM5302A can change the cutoff frequency of an LPF (lowpass filter) in a range of 4.8MHz to 43MHz in 256 steps under control of I²C BUS^* to meet the demands for high-definition video systems.

The SM5302AS functions as an input pre-filter (anti-aliasing filter) that is essential for eliminating high-frequency noise from the analog video input signals (RGB and YCrCb) of a high-definition video system with FPD (flat panel display) that is the main stream of such a system. It can also eliminate image noise and external noise contained in the output of a video encoder of the output circuit of a video system, and drive up to two 75Ω terminal resistors, so that it can transmit video signals even to a system requiring impedance matching.

The SM5302AS is a multi-function video filter/buffer that is based on NPC's video buffer with wideband filter, the SM5301AS, which has already enjoyed a merited reputation, and has improved performance improve to support high-definition video systems. It employs an I²C BUS interface which has been increasingly used as the standard interface for video systems. In addition, it has the functions to vary the LPF cutoff frequency, select the signal input mode, and select an output gain. In addition, the SM5302AS has new additional functions such as the filter bypass function that handles PC video signals of up to SXGA quality (resolution: 1280 horizontally x 1024 vertically) and a half fc mode suitable for digital component signals. Moreover, it can also select the sync chip clamp, bias, and direct input modes for each channel.

In the future NPC plans to develop new versions of this input pre-filter IC that support the specifications of the video systems and have many channels to satisfy the market needs.

^*: I²C BUS is a registered trademark of Philips Electronics N.V.

Product Name	Sample Price	Mass Production	Mass Production Plans
SM5302AS	¥350 per unit (¥367 including tax)	April 2004	300,000 units per month