TMDS181RGZR digital video interface Retimer VQFN-48

Description

Overview

The TMDS181RGZR from Texas Instruments is a high-speed HDMI/DVI TMDS retimer designed to restore signal integrity and compensate for jitter and signal loss in high-speed digital video interfaces.

It supports up to 6 Gbps per TMDS channel, making it suitable for HDMI 2.0 applications including 4K × 2K at 60 Hz. The device integrates receiver equalization, clock-data recovery (CDR), retiming, and programmable configuration through I²C or pin straps.

Key Features

• HDMI 2.0-compatible TMDS retimer
• Up to 6 Gbps per TMDS channel
• 4 TMDS channels
• Supports 4K × 2K @ 60 Hz
• Clock and Data Recovery (CDR)
• Adaptive or programmable receiver equalization
• Automatic transition between redriver and retimer operation
• Supports HDMI 1.4b data rates up to 3.4 Gbps in redriver mode
• I²C and pin-strap configuration
• Inter-pair skew compensation
• Supports DDC interface
• Supports ARC/SPDIF functionality
• 1.2 V and 3.3 V dual-supply operation
• 7 × 7 mm VQFN-48 package
• 0.5 mm pitch
• RoHS compliant

Technical Specifications

TI specifies the TMDS181RGZR as the commercial-temperature version with a 0°C to +85°C operating range. The industrial-temperature variant is TMDS181IRGZR, rated from −40°C to +85°C.

TMDS Signal Retiming

The TMDS181 receives the high-speed HDMI/DVI TMDS signals, performs receiver equalization and clock-data recovery, and retransmits a cleaned-up signal. This helps compensate for random jitter, channel loss, and signal degradation caused by long PCB traces, cables, or other interconnects.

HDMI Performance

The device supports signaling rates up to 6 Gbps, enabling HDMI 2.0-class applications such as 4K × 2K at 60 Hz. At lower data rates below approximately 1 Gbps, the device can operate as a redriver; above this range it operates as a retimer.

Configuration

The TMDS181 can be configured through:

• I²C control
• Pin-strap configuration

The receive equalizer can be configured for either adaptive equalization or a programmable fixed gain, allowing the device to accommodate different cable and PCB trace conditions.

Additional Interfaces

In addition to the four TMDS channels, the device supports:

• DDC interface
• HDMI Hot Plug Detect-related signals
• Audio Return Channel (ARC)
• SPDIF input
• Local I²C control interface

Power & Programming

The TMDS181 uses two supply rails:

• VCC: 3.3 V
• VDD: 1.2 V

Configuration can be performed using I²C or hardware pin straps. The device is not a programmable microcontroller; the I²C interface is used to configure the retimer’s operating parameters and registers.

Applications

• HDMI 2.0 equipment
• Digital TVs
• Computer monitors
• 4K displays
• Digital projectors
• Blu-ray players
• AV equipment
• HDMI active cables
• Long HDMI interconnects
• Signal-integrity compensation
• Digital video processing equipment
• Desktop and all-in-one computers

What’s Included

• 1 × Texas Instruments TMDS181RGZR HDMI 2.0 TMDS Retimer IC
• Package: VQFN-48
• Surface-mount component

Notes

• TMDS181RGZR is the commercial-temperature version, rated 0°C to +85°C.
• For industrial-temperature applications, use the TMDS181IRGZR variant, rated −40°C to +85°C.
• This is a high-speed HDMI/TMDS signal-conditioning IC, not an HDMI protocol converter or video scaler.
• The device requires careful high-speed PCB layout and controlled-impedance TMDS routing for reliable operation.
• The VQFN-48 package is 7 × 7 mm with 0.5 mm pitch.
• TMDS181RGZR is an active TI part according to the current TI product listing.