Important milestone supports HDMI 2.1 features over longer cable lengths
Silicon Line GmbH, a global leader in innovative ultra-low-power optical link technology for consumer and commercial applications, and Granite River Labs (GRL), a global leader in engineering services and test solutions for connectivity and HDMI Forum Authorized Testing Center, today announced that the Cable Matters® active optical cable model 300047 powered by Silicon Line’s HDMI 2.1 modules is the first active cable assembly to achieve certification under the Ultra High Speed HDMI® Cable Certification Program (UHS Program). Certification testing was performed in GRL’s Taipei, Taiwan facility.
The HDMI 2.1 specification introduced the Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable, which supports up to 48 gigabits per second bandwidth for uncompressed HDMI 2.1 feature support. Active optical cables, or “AOCs”, such as those supported by Silicon Line’s modules, use active circuit components with an equalizer function inside the cable assembly and transport data over optical fiber instead of copper wire. AOCs can thus overcome the limitations inherent in wire cable assemblies to allow for longer, thinner and lighter cables in the living room that meet UHS Program requirements, including low EMI, while supporting consistent and reliable HDMI performance. AOCs address the market needs for ever-increasing bandwidth requirements, including high resolution and high frame rates demanded by next-generation gaming consoles now being launched.
“We are thrilled to have the first HDMI Adopter to achieve Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable Certification of an AOC powered by Silicon Line’s HDMI 2.1 modules, and appreciate GRL’s support to achieve this milestone,” said Ruud van der Linden, CEO of Silicon Line. “The certification of Cable Matters’ HDMI UHS AOC, manufactured by Unixtar of Taiwan, is a major milestone for the rapid deployment of HDMI UHS AOCs. Silicon Line’s unique ultra-low power module architecture, featuring an in-house chipset designed specifically for HDMI UHS AOCs and our innovative Optical Sub Assembly (OSA) technology, does not require external power and enables cable vendors to offer certified HDMI UHS AOCs at consumer cost-levels.”
“The UHS Program brings the benefits of a seamless verification experience to HDMI adopters and consumers,” said Rob Tobias, CEO of HDMI Licensing Administrator, Inc. “We expect that active cables will play an important role in the HDMI ecosystem, and this will also significantly expand the UHS Program.”
“Active Ultra High Speed HDMI® Cables offer great promise for consumers, but present unique design and test challenges,” said Quintin Anderson, co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Granite River Labs. “GRL is excited to support Silicon Line in this important accomplishment, and proud of our role as a HDMI Forum ATC to ensure HDMI 2.1 product interoperability and backwards compatibility.”
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Cable Matters® is a registered trademark of Cable Matters Inc.
The terms HDMI, HDMI High-Definition Multimedia Interface, Ultra High Speed HDMI, Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable Certification Program, and the HDMI Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing Administrator, Inc.
