The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) today announced the upcoming release of Embedded DisplayPort (eDP) Version 1.4. This version of VESA's embedded display interface includes new features that will further reduce system power consumption, support multi-touch data over the display interface, and support a wider range of platform topologies including tablets, handheld devices, and notebook PCs. These new features will position eDP as the universal embedded display interface for mobile devices and will lead to increased battery life, reduce system size and weight, as well as increase overall display capabilities.

eDP v1.4 addresses system power reduction through new features, including a new partial-frame update capability for Panel Self Refresh (PSR), lower interface voltage swings, additional link rate options, transport data compression, and regional backlight control. The auxiliary channel will now carry multi- touch data from the display to system processor. eDP v1.4 electrical interface parameters have also been enhanced to accommodate a wider range of system form factors and transmission media.

"Since the introduction of eDP, system and chip set developers within the VESA membership have been discussing more ways to take advantage of eDP," said Craig Wiley, VESA chairman. "The packetized, bi- directional capability of DisplayPort, upon which eDP is based, adds a lot of flexibility to the display interface, simplifying system architecture and enabling more feature rich designs for system engineers. The culmination of many new ideas, this version will propel universal adoption of eDP as device manufacturers look to take advantage of its unsurpassed power saving capabilities and design flexibility."

First introduced in 2009 as an extension of the DisplayPort standard, eDP was developed to replace the aging LVDS (Low-Voltage Differential Signaling) embedded display interface standard. In 2010, VESA member companies AMD and Intel Corporation announced that they would be phasing out LVDS support in next generation chip sets by 2013 in favor of eDP because of LVDS' limited capabilities, higher voltage levels requirements, and excessive interference with system wireless communication functions. Currently undergoing final review by VESA members, eDP1.4 is anticipated to be released in October 2012, and utilized in commercial products as early as 2014.