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Welcome to the Bridgetek page on element14. Here you can find things such as our latest news, training videos, and product details. Additionally, you can engage with us in our forums.

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Recent Videos
  • Enhancing Graphics for Smart Meters and In-Home Displays with EVE Graphic Controllers
  • Smart Home Controls with EVE Display Controller IC
  • Bridgetek EVE Series - Coffee Machine
  • Open the door to better Access Control Systems Made Easy with Bridgetek Embedded Video Engine (EVE)
  • Bridgetek - Enhance HVAC Controllers with EVE
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Bridgetek is a leading global semiconductor company providing high performance microcontroller units (MCUs), display IC products and developing innovative silicon solutions that enhance seamless interaction with latest connectivity technologies. Bridgetek’s products include a family of highly-differentiated, speed-optimised MCUs that have been developed for high speed, interface bridging tasks. The company also provides a Human Machine Interface (HMI) display series, namely Embedded Video Engine (EVE) graphic controllers in which each pack display, audio and touch functionality onto a single chip. Bridgetek’s is a global fabless semiconductor company. The corporate headquarters is located in Singapore, with research and development (R&D) facilities in Glasgow, Singapore, Taipei (Taiwan) and Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam) plus regional sales and technical support sites in Glasgow, Taipei, Tigard (Oregon, USA) and Shanghai (China).
Latest News

  • Discover the BT822: The Next Evolution in Bridgetek’s 5th Generation Embedded Video Engines (EVE)

    BRT-Marketing

    Bridgetek launched the Embedded Video Engine (EVE) with the first generation, FT800, in 2013. Graphical touch screens were revolutionizing the way that users interact with all kinds of everyday devices, but designers were facing challenges in implementing them. Existing approaches to adding these interfaces to products were complex, expensive, and involved significant re-design, often requiring a change to a high-end MCU.

    imageBridgetek EVE’s  Milestones

    With EVE, designers can add three key functions (Display, Touch and Audio) to their product using a single IC connected via SPI, retaining the product’s existing MCU. For new designs, they can select an MCU best suited to the product function without being limited to those with built-in graphics support. Innovative features of the EVE family include:

    • Full Colour Graphics created via Simple Commands
    • Simple touch implementation with Unique Tagging Features
    • Audio Engine including built-in Sound Effects
    • Trouble-free Integration to existing designs with Minimal External Components
    • Ease of Development with Extensive Tool and Example support

    Introducing the BT822

    Today, Bridgetek is thrilled to announce the launch of the BT822, the 5th Generation Embedded Video Engine (EVE) device, which continues to revolutionize the use of color touch displays.

    New Challenges

    Over the past decade, expectations for user interfaces have increased significantly, with the evolution of the EVE product line allowing designers to embrace the latest trends. Some of the most recent challenges include:

    • Using larger and higher-resolution displays
    • Demanding more complex graphical content
    • Increased use of assets such as high-resolution images, animation and video
    • Integration of external video/imaging into the user interface
    • Increased use of touch to replace mechanical buttons and controls

    Why a 5th Generation EVE – BT822 – Matters

    To support the latest demands, the BT822 features a redesigned architecture which also boasts significant enhancements and new features that allow designers to meet and exceed the modern user interface expectations. One key objective was also to retain the characteristics which made EVE popular originally.

    This new generation offers enhanced display resolution up to 1920×1200 via LVDS output, a new Frame Buffer architecture, an LVDS video input with real-time image processing engine, support for SD/MMC storage options and enhanced touch engine.

    image

    Block diagram of the BT822

    Core Innovations in the BT822

    • LVDS Interface
      The BT822 features a Low Voltage Differential Signaling (LVDS) display output, replacing the RGB output on earlier EVE generations. This supports larger displays directly without RGB-LVDS conversion ICs, reducing component count. Resolutions of up to 1920×1200 at 60 frames per second are supported, with the screen rotation feature offering both portrait and landscape orientations via a simple command.
    • Frame Buffer
      The BT822 introduces a frame buffer, enhancing previous EVE devices by supporting larger displays, higher resolutions, and more complex user interfaces. Unlike earlier models that rendered displays line by line, the BT822 uses its 1Gb internal DRAM to render complex graphics efficiently. It retains the same programming interface with 16KB of Display List RAM, double that of previous generations, allowing for more on-screen content.

    image

    PanL PD100 Display Screen 10.1” showing vibrant colours and graphics with UI-friendly icons (BRT Systems PanL Smart Living)

    • Real-Time High-Resolution LVDS Input
      Many applications in fields like medical, security, automotive, and instrumentation use video data with separate controls and displays. Combining video data with on-screen controls on a large touch-enabled display can be complex and often requires a higher-end MCU. The BT822 simplifies this with its LVDS video input, supporting resolutions up to 1920 x 1200, allowing direct integration of video feeds into the user interface without adding workload to the host MCU. It also features real-time video pre-processing for applications like Picture-in-Picture and reducing image distortion from fish-eye lenses. Additionally, the BT822 supports larger displays directly with its LVDS output, eliminating the need for RGB-LVDS conversion ICs, and offers resolutions up to 1920×1200 at 60 fps with screen rotation for both portrait and landscape orientations.

    imageRemotely Operated Underwater Vehicle with Live Video Streaming                                   

    image Direct video input with real-time pre-processing -> ideal for Door Entry applications

    • Enhanced Asset Storage
      The BT822 supports a wider range of storage options, including SD cards, and QSPI NOR/NAND Flash. This allows designers to use more graphical assets like high-resolution images, animations, and full-screen video playback. Designers can create a more immersive user experience and enhance usability without being restricted by the storage available on the host MCU.This is complemented by enhanced image format support including hardware decoders for PNG and JPG images, as well as built-in ASTC support introduced in the BT81x series for high-quality images with smaller file sizes.The EVE Asset Builder tools make it easy to convert assets for use in EVE and offer programming via USB-SPI.
    • Enhanced Touch Engine
      The BT822 improves touch support for various resistive and capacitive touch panels, including those for rugged environments like vandal-proof glass and water splash tolerance. It features an auto-discovery function for easier configuration and retains touch tagging to reduce the host MCU’s workload. Designers can assign tag numbers to on-screen objects, and the touch engine reports the tag number back to the MCU. Other features include 5-point multi-touch support for gestures and touch calibration with a single command.

    Other New/Enhanced Features

    • Audio – Stereo Output and I2S
      The BT822 adds stereo audio output and I2S support, offering greater audio quality and interfacing options for applications using audio. Combined with the built-in sound effects and audio playback available across EVE generations, this makes the BT822 well suited for applications such as intercom systems for door entry, playing audio from an SD card, and audio accompanying a video feed.
    • Watchdog Timer
      The BT822 features a Watchdog Timer (WDT) that allows recovery via a system reset if the host is unable to periodically reset the WDT, enhancing application robustness.

    Summary of Benefits by Industry and the type of Core Innovations the BT822 delivers for your product design

    image

  • Enhancing Graphics for Smart Meters and In-Home Displays with Bridgetek EVE Graphic Controllers

    BRT-Marketing
    imageAttention Meter Manufacturers and Home Solution Innovators! image
    Elevate the Human Machine Interface experience with Bridgetek’s Embedded Video Engine (EVE) chips!
    Integrate EVE alongside your current MCU on the board, and transform the experience of human machine interface!
    Let’s change the way we interact with metering systems.
    Utility Meter Manufacturers can now provide real-time data via vibrant, touch-interactive screens, instead of clunky hard-to-read dials.
    Or have homeowners access Electric and Gas Meters remotely by streamlining data into a centralised In-Home Display (IHD), display powered by EVE , for easy-viewing of utility measurements and analytics for budget management, within the modern home.

  • Smart Home Controls Made Easy with Bridgetek EVE Series

    BRT-Marketing
    Hello, Design Engineers!
    Ever grappled with multiple clunky controllers for various home uses? How about swapping them for a sleek, easy-to-use touchscreen display?
    The Embedded Video Engine (EVE) graphic controllers IC are specifically designed to simplify the implementation and customisation process for engineers, helping them deliver an optimal user experience to consumers.
    Interested in Colour Touch Displays for Smart Home Automation solutions? Check out more details here: https://bit.ly/SmartHomeGraphicalTouchDisplayMadeEasywithEVE
    Together, let’s innovate for a smarter future!

  • Bridgetek EVE Series - Coffee Machine

    BRT-Marketing
    Coffee machines are no longer just about brewing; they’re about interaction.
    The art of brewing a perfect cup of coffee is a precise science and art, hinging on factors such as the weight of the beans, the fineness of the grind, the pressure profile and temperature of the water during extraction, and the duration of the extraction process.
    With EVE in advanced touch displays, you can now take control of these variables and monitor the entire coffee extraction process in real-time, ensuring every cup is brewed to perfection – with a touch of a screen.
    That’s why most manufacturers are ditching old-school buttons, dials and gauges in favour of vibrant colour touch screens for a premium experience.
    With EVE-enabled displays, you get:
    image Attractive User Interface: Familiar icons and animations make your coffee machine a joy to use.
    Coffee Pouring Animations: Watch your brew come to life!
    image Global Appeal: Multilingual support and currency symbols for a worldwide audience.
    image Flexible Screen Sizes: From compact to large (up to 10.1"), EVE fits all designs.
    image Custom Widgets: Create dials, gauges, and more. image Audio Alerts: Easy acknowledgment of user input.
    It’s time to give coffee machines an upgrade! imageimage
    Learn more about EVE for Coffee Machine Graphical Touch Displays here: https://bit.ly/EVE-Upgrade-Displays-for-Coffee-Machines

  • Open the door to better Access Control Systems Made Easy with EVE

    BRT-Marketing
    image Open the Door to Better Access Control Systems with EVE!
    EVE is powering graphical touch displays for door access systems, and it can even integrate with external cameras too. These features provide a dedicated video screen on the console, enhancing security and convenience for the user. imageimage
    The best part? The increasing affordability and accessibility of miniature cameras and colour display panels have brought these high-end features to a wider market. imageimage
    Learn more about how EVE is transforming graphical touch displays for door access technology here: https://bit.ly/AccessControlDisplaysMadeEasywithEVE

  • Elevate your Lift controls with EVE – Using Graphical Touch Display Controls

    BRT-Marketing
    image Elevate the elevator experience with cutting-edge technology! image
    image Elevators, the unsung heroes of vertical transport, are all getting an upgrade.
    Say goodbye to traditional interfaces and hello to the future of lift controls!
    image Curious about how this transformation is happening?
    Click the link below to discover more!
    image

  • Enhance HVAC Controllers with EVE

    BRT-Marketing
    Engineers, unravel how designing interfaces of legacy products like Heating Ventilation Air-Conditioning (HVAC) need not be too difficult, and how you can overcome challenges and complexity with our Embedded Video Engines (EVE).
    Be empowered to revolutionise your company’s product experience!

  • Embracing the Advent of Colour Touch Displays in HVAC Controls

    BRT-Marketing
    image Here’s a “cool” summary of EVE and HVAC Controls image
    Engineers, unravel how designing interfaces of legacy products like Heating Ventilation Air-Conditioning (HVAC) need not be too difficult, and how you can overcome challenges and complexity with our Embedded Video Engines (EVE).
    Be empowered to revolutionise your company’s product experience!

  • Enhance HVAC Controls with a Graphical Touch Display – EVE Made EASY

    BRT-Marketing

    The advent of colour of touch displays has revolutionized devices and system control, offering significant benefits, particularly from the user’s perspective. 

    image

    Heating Ventilation Air-Conditioning (HVAC) controls are an excellent example of this trend, with the design evolving from basic dials through

    Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screens and fixed-segment LCDs, to full colour touch screens. 

    The last step to Colour Touch Displays is a very significant and welcoming one.
    Traditional user interfaces such as LCD fixed-segment displays have significant limitations, forcing design engineers to make compromises
    when creating the user interface.  With a colour graphical touch display, design engineers now work with a blank canvas, finally giving them the
    freedom to create amazing interfaces which are designed with a strong focus on the user.

    imageimage

    Conclusion

    Integrating a colour graphical touch display into control panels, particularly for systems like HVAC, can greatly elevate the overall product experience                                                                  for users.

    Despite this, design engineers may be reluctant to embrace this change, anticipating complex hardware and software changes, steep learning

    curves, and the challenges associated with crafting a high-quality user interface. In doing so, they can miss out on the opportunity to make their                                                                       product much more appealing.

    Fortunately, you need not fear. This is achieved easily and effectively with Bridgetek’s innovative EVE graphic controller solution; complemented by                                                                    robust support tools and hardware evaluation boards. Design engineers can now surmount these obstacles, making the process of enhancing their                                                                     product more accessible and straightforward.

  • Enhance HVAC Controls with a Graphical Touch Display – EVE Made EASY

    BRT-Marketing

    The advent of colour of touch displays has revolutionized devices and system control, offering significant benefits, particularly from the user’s perspective. 

    image

    Heating Ventilation Air-Conditioning (HVAC) controls are an excellent example of this trend, with the design evolving from basic dials through

    Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screens and fixed-segment LCDs, to full colour touch screens. 

    The last step to Colour Touch Displays is a very significant and welcoming one.
    Traditional user interfaces such as LCD fixed-segment displays have significant limitations, forcing design engineers to make compromises
    when creating the user interface.  With a colour graphical touch display, design engineers now work with a blank canvas, finally giving them the
    freedom to create amazing interfaces which are designed with a strong focus on the user.

    imageimage

    Conclusion

    Integrating a colour graphical touch display into control panels, particularly for systems like HVAC, can greatly elevate the overall product experience                                                                  for users.

    Despite this, design engineers may be reluctant to embrace this change, anticipating complex hardware and software changes, steep learning

    curves, and the challenges associated with crafting a high-quality user interface. In doing so, they can miss out on the opportunity to make their                                                                       product much more appealing.

    Fortunately, you need not fear. This is achieved easily and effectively with Bridgetek’s innovative EVE graphic controller solution; complemented by                                                                    robust support tools and hardware evaluation boards. Design engineers can now surmount these obstacles, making the process of enhancing their                                                                     product more accessible and straightforward.

Documentation