Implementing a TMDS Video Interface in the Spartan-6 FPGA

Transition Minimized Differential Signaling (TMDS) is a standard used for transmitting video data over the Digital Visual Interface (DVI) and High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI). Both interfaces are popular in a wide range of market segments including consumer electronics, audio/video broadcasting, industrial surveillance, and medical imaging systems. They are commonly seen in flat panel TVs, PC monitors, blue-ray players, video camcorders, and medical displays. This application note describes a set of reference designs able to transmit and receive DVI and HDMI data streams up to 1080 Mb/s using the native TMDS I/O interface featured by Spartan®-6 FPGAs.