Comparing three generations of Bridgetek’s EVE graphics controller ICs

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With the third generation of the popular EVE display modules on the market, we thought that it was the right time to make a comparison between all the versions. We wanted to give you all the necessary information so that you know precisely which EVE module you need, the next time you’re browsing our shop.

But first of all, what does exactly EVE mean?

EVE is short for Embedded Video Engine, and the term was created by Bridgetek, for one of the lines of their graphics controllers. This particular line was designed for creating high-quality Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs).

FTDI and Bridgetek – from FT80x to BT81x

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As you probably already know, FTDI is famous for its USB technologies. But after launching the EVE series of graphics processors and getting so much success out of it, they have decided to move the EVE series and Generic Purpose processors under the Bridgetek brand. So that is the whole explanation of why the suffix changed from FT to BT.

Bridgetek’s EVE technology was developed for graphics and video applications, and it blends three great functionalities – audio, display, and touch. One of the major advantages of this line of graphics controllers is low power consumption, and support for LCD display’s SVGA, WQVGA, and QCGA.

EVE3 – the third generation of EVE display modules

After the two former generations of EVE display modules – EVE1 (FT80x) and EVE2 (FT81x) comes the newly released third generation – EVE3 (powered by the BT81x family of graphics controllers).

The new EVE3 modules offer many improvements, like a better image and a video decoder, extended memory management, and faster SPI connection.

In the table below you can see the main parameters of each generation of EVE graphics controllers and the comparison between them:

	FT800/FT801	FT810/FT811	FT812/FT813	BT815/BT816
Target Riverdi Display Resolution	EVE1 series: 2.8″ – QVGA 3.5″ – QVGA 4.3″ – HVGA	Customized solutions: HVGA, VGA, WVGA, SVGA	EVE2 series: 5.0″ – WVGA 7.0″ – WVGA	EVE3 series: 3.5″ – QVGA 4.3″ – HVGA 5.0″- WVGA 7.0″- WVGA
RGB interface	18 bits (RGB666)	18 bits (RGB666)	24 bits (RGB88)I	24 bits (RGB888)
Touch function	FT800 – Resistive FT801 – Capacitive	FT810 – Resistive FT811 – Capacitive	FT812 – Resistive FT813 – Capacitive	BT816 – Resistive BT815 – Capacitive
Control interface	SPI/I2C	SPI/QSPI	SPI/QSPI	SPI/QSPI
Object memory size	256KB	1MB	1MB	1MB
External memory support	No	No	No	Yes (64Mb)
90° screen rotation	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Image decoder	BMP, DXT1, Software JPG	BMP, DXT1, Hardware JPG	BMP, DXT1, Hardware JPG	BMP, DXT1, Hardware JPG, ASTC
Video playback	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
GPIO	2	2	4	4
Package	QFN48	QFN48	QFN56	QFN64
Riverdi displays integrating this processor	link	link	link	link

As you can see from the table above, the major new functionality of the EVE3 IC is the support for external memory and ASTC. The presence of the Adaptive Scalable Compression (ASTC) algorithm allows keeping the high image quality with major savings in memory space. The audio has also been improved – the analog output has changed for the digital one.

Thanks to the flash host port, the chip memory can be used for asset storage, which frees up the SPI bandwidth – so, this is what speeds up the communication. By default, the external memory on the EVE3 modules has 64Mb, but if your application requires more than that, feel free to contact us and we’ll be happy to make a customizes solution for you. You can use our Customization form.

EVE3 development tools

When it comes to the development kits for the third generation of EVE display modules, the Hermes board works perfectly. It allows you to connect the EVE module directly to your PC.

On the other hand, the Revelation board simulates your MCU mainboard and the Breakout board 20 allows you to connect the module via prototype wires to your design.