NatSemi and Samsung are working together on the development of thinner, lighter displays for notebook PCs which the companies claim will eventually replace traditional desktop monitors.

The development follows a technology licensing deal - dubbed the Mount Blanc Project - signed last summer that gave Samsung the use of key elements of Natsemi's interface technology.

"Our partnership with Samsung further validates the leadership of National's Advanced Digital Interface Technology as a primary enabler of next-generation display products," said David Handorf, vice president of National's Interface Products Group. "Among the keys to success for future generations of LCD panels is simplified design and improved performance.

"This is particularly true in portable products where new features are being added continuously, often at the expense of power consumption, cost and time-to-market. Together, we will also speed the migration toward larger and higher-resolution panels that will eventually replace traditionally bulky and power-hungry displays."

The collaboration aims to make improvements in the size, weight and manufacturing costs of TFT displays, leading to their adoption in desktop systems and TV displays. ®