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I am working on a video scaler chip which has multiple inputs (i.e HDMI, DP, VGA) but I only want to use the VGA input. (Choosing another chip with only one input is not an option).

The friendly datasheet did not mention any instruction on what to do with unused pins, so I tried searching the internet and the forums, below are the items I got. (If I got them right)

  • Digital pins - tie to Vdd/Gnd with pull-up or pulldown
  • Analog pins - tie to DC potential

And based on my search, the configuration (where to pull) for the lowest power consumption will vary per IC.

I was about to just pull down the DP and HDMI receiver pins (analog) to mimic a DP/HDMI port that is not connected to any source (standby). But then I realized there are these receiver VDD and VSS pins that I do not know what to do. DP, HDMI (as well as VGA) each have their own VDD and VSS pins (e.g. DP_VSS, DP_VDD). The datasheet mentions in the pin list tables that XX_VSS* 'must' be connected to ground, XX_VDD 'must' be bypassed with cap to ground. (XX - DP/HDMI/VGA) I assumed the 'must' is mentioned in the datasheet so that the DP or HDMI receiver would work. (But I will not use them)

I was thinking, since they apparently have independent VDD and VSS for each receiver type (DP,HDMI,VGA), each receiver pin type is powered by independent XX_VSS and XX_VDD. So, If I leave the power pins of an unused feature floating, no power will be given to receiver pins of that feature, and that feature will be totally shutoff, hence, I might not need to pullup/pulldown the pins. Note though that the chip itself has its core and ring VDD and VSS.

If I will not use DP and/or HDMI, is it safe to leave their power pins floating? And if I would leave their power pins floating, is it safe to leave the analog receiver pins floating as well?

Or should I connect the power pins and then pulldown(or up) the analog input pins?

Which configuration would have the lowest power consumption (in general)?

I tried contacting the website for this chip, but they can't give technical support anymore because this is already a legacy chip. I am working on an STDP60XX.

(P.S. I am new to the stackexchange, if I've missed some rules, please let me know and I'll edit my question immediately. Thanks)

cheweyjunior
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  • If not using this chip is not an option then presumably your company have used this device already and may have circuit diagrams that help? If this is a new design then don't use this chip if you can't get the info - choose one that gives you the info. – Andy aka Aug 27 '18 at 12:59
  • Yes, there is a previous design, but the previous design used all ports and this would be the first time the two other ports won't be used at all. My plan of pulling down the unused pins was just based on how the port receptacles were connected to the IC pins (standby waiting for cable connection from video source). I'm wondering if maybe I leave the power pins floating, I would save more power? This chip was chosen to lessen firmware development time. So we have no choice even if it is already NRND. – cheweyjunior Aug 27 '18 at 13:08
  • Is there an eval board for this chip? Could try contacting the manufacturer. – rdtsc Aug 27 '18 at 14:15
  • Already contacted manufacturer. They don't have tech support anymore because this chip is not recommended for new designs. We just have to use it to lessen firmware development time, based from old design. While I could readily pattern from the old design and just act like the ports are still there minus the connectors, I was just wondering if it would consume less power if I shut it off altogether assuming floating the independent power pins would do that. – cheweyjunior Aug 27 '18 at 15:09

1 Answers1

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Regarding the power pins, you almost certainly need to connect them the same way that you would if you were actively using those interfaces on the IC. In devices that have multiple sets of power pins that are called out as being specifically for different parts of the device, they are quite often still connected to other pins on the device internally--they are called out as being for a specific part because they are most closely connected to that part of the die and will thus supply the bulk of the current to that area.

The exception to this is when different parts of the IC are designed to run at different voltages at the same time, or when the IC supports certain power supplies being shut down while other parts of the device are still active. The former is common in fast mixed-signal devices (like Ethernet switches/PHYs) and high performance processors or FPGAs. In these cases, any power pins that are always expected to be at the same voltage may still be connected internally.

In your case, if the DP_VDD (for example) pins are internally connected to the VGA_VDD pins, then leaving the DP_VDD pins unconnected means that the DP interface will still be active and will be drawing current through the VGA_VDD pins. In the best case, the DisplayPort electronics will be inactive and won't draw enough current to matter. In the worse case, the DisplayPort electronics will still be active and can draw enough current through the other pins to disrupt operation in other parts of the IC. In extreme cases, the DisplayPort electronics will draw enough current that you could wind up exceeding the absolute maximum input current per pin on the VGA_VDD pins, or enough current flows across the die that the IC is damaged internally.

Devices that do have internally separate power networks and are designed to operate with one or more of those networks unpowered have to take special precautions wherever signals cross from one power domain to another to avoid problems, so even if the DP_VDD pins on your device are not internally connected to the VGA_VDD pins, this is no guarantee that the device will function properly with the DP_VDD pins unpowered.

So as a general rule, unless the datasheet explicitly states that you can leave those power pins unconnected in your application, you should power them as you would if you were using that interface. In any case, generally, you should ALWAYS connect the ground pins.

The signal pins are a little trickier. If the chip requires pullups/downs to operate properly when the DisplayPort cable is disconnected, then you should probably use the same pullup/down configuration in your application. If it does not require pullups/downs normally, then you probably don't need them either.

If the IC supports configuration via pin strapping or via a digital interface that allows you to completely shut down the unused interfaces, then it's more likely that you'll be able to leave off pullups/downs that would otherwise be required on those interfaces.

If in doubt, it's always a good idea to place the footprints for pullups/downs so that you can make adjustments in testing. In production, you can then simply fit or not fit whatever parts you find you need or don't need. Empty PCB footprints are essentially free.

ajb
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  • Wow, your detailed explanation is so on point ajb. You've got everything covered. Exactly the insight I was looking for. Thanks! – cheweyjunior Aug 28 '18 at 15:40