EPI

Concept:

Create and maintain a free and open standard to allow easy interchangeability of flat panel display/COM combinations. The EPI data set description is independent from the video controller and is interpreted by the video BIOS of the COM in order to set the correct video attributes.

Benefits:

Quick and easy adaption of new flat panel types Panels and COMs get scalable independent of each other Based on proven VESA  standard EDID 1.3

Latest Standard:

Rev 1.0 

Consortium:

www.epi-standard.org

• Open standard
• Allows for easy and direct control of all flat panel displays
• Maximum interchangeability

One of the biggest advantages of  COM‘s (Computer On Modules) is the inter-changeability of modules between different suppliers. The only weak point was the direct control of flat panel displays. Due to the lack of a uniform standard all manufacturers had to define their own interface strategy.

This problem is now solved with the use of Embedded Panel Interface EPI. EPI is based on the VESA standard EDID 1.3 and defines the software format for display properties and the scalable hardware interface.

With EDID 1.3 only monitors with local intelligence can be operated. In order for an Embedded Computer Module to have direct control of a flat-panel display some more information is required. Therefore, EPI adds the missing parameters to the complete set of  EDID 1.3 data.
An EPI data set, used to describe the control of a flat panel display, can be easily created using the information found in the display‘s datasheet. It‘s even easier when using congatec‘s system utility.
With this tool the newly created data set can be written to a reserved area in the congatec embedded BIOS.

The EPI data set description is independent from the video controller and is interpreted by the video BIOS of the COM in order to set the correct video attributes. The result is a manufacturer independent “plug-and-display” solution that enables free interchangeability of displays and COM‘s.