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In our previous blog – Unraveling the Topologies of DisplayPort 1.4/1.3, we discussed SST (Single Stream Transport) topology in DisplayPort to transmit single stream from source to sink devices. We also touched upon basics of MST (Multi Stream Transport) topology to transmit multiple streams to single/multiple devices. In this blog we will delve into the different ways in which MST can be leveraged and how MST is used in real scenarios. We will also discuss DisplayPort over USB Type-C, the future of the Display industry.

There are two ways in which MST can be leveraged. One is daisy chaining and the other is through hub configuration. Daisy chaining allows the connection of multiple devices as a chain using a single DisplayPort connection between the devices. In the diagram below, the CPU sends three video streams namely 01, 02 and 03 targeting Stream 01 to Monitor M1, Stream 02 to Monitor M2 and Stream 03 to Monitor M3. In the below setup, CPU sends three streams in MST mode to Monitor M1. M1 displays Stream 01 and transmits two streams in MST mode to Monitor M2. M2 displays Stream 02 and transmits a single stream in SST mode to Monitor M3. Each DisplayPort output is connected to the next downstream display with the last display being SST compliant.