Sharp Microelectronics and Actimagine Collaborate to Boost SoC Video Capabilities; Video Decompression Rates Increase Fourfold with Same Power Use
CAMAS, Wash.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Feb. 14, 2006—
Sharp Microelectronics of the Americas announces its
collaboration with software developer Actimagine to increase video
performance for its ARM7- and ARM9-based portfolio of BlueStreak(TM)
microcontrollers. By incorporating an innovative codec developed by
Actimagine, Sharp's SoC devices realize a fourfold increase in video
decompression rates without any additional power consumption.
Anticipating the growing market demand for increased media
performance, Sharp Microelectronics has leveraged its IC expertise
with Actimagine's software technology to deliver advanced performance
solutions for video device designs. These improvements open new
possibilities for media-rich electronic devices by achieving higher
video performance without switching to a higher performance processor
or increasing overall power consumption. These enhanced SoCs are ideal
for portable media devices, including those with Vector Graphics
content.
"Sharp Microelectronics and Actimagine have been collaborating
worldwide for over two years to help our customers meet their
time-to-market demands for cost-effective high quality video and
gaming products," said Al Franceschino, Senior Business Development
Manager for Sharp's BlueStreak line. "The synergy between Actimagine's
software IP and Sharp's SoC line has enhanced our ability to deliver
complete system-level solutions to our customers while reducing their
total bill of materials."
Software-Enhanced Performance
Actimagine's software codec features a powerful new decompression
method designed for general-purpose microcontrollers. A side-by-side
comparison of Actimagine's codec with an MPEG4 codec allowed Sharp's
family of SoCs to render four times more pixels at the same frame rate
and quality. Sharp's ARM7-based MCUs can now support Vector Graphics
at 30 frames per second (fps) and Video at 24 fps on a QVGA screen at
77 MHz; its ARM9-based MCUs can run Vector Graphics at 30 fps and
video at 24 fps on a VGA screen at 266 MHz -- all with excellent audio
quality.
"Power consumption is critical in the portable electronics market,
with consumers demanding more functionality in an increasingly smaller
form factor. Actimagine designed this codec to make optimal use of the
available power, rather than requiring additional power," said Andre
Pagnac, Chief Executive Officer, Actimagine. "Sharp's platforms are a
good fit for Actimagine's software. When compared to architectures
with similar process speeds, Sharp returns better performance.
Additionally, Sharp's leadership in LCD and system solutions for
video-centric applications gives us access to the fast-growing mobile
electronics market."
Design Benefits
Designers can take advantage of these new enhanced SoCs in two key
ways. They can achieve target frame rates and resolution using
lower-cost and less-complex SoCs. Consequently, they don't have to
design in a new processor to add video functionality to a product.
Products using ARM7 cores are now video capable. This better
performance is attained without additional power, giving a longer
battery life to portable devices.
Conversely, design engineers can lower hardware requirements to
achieve the same resolution. By decreasing the operating frequency of
the controller, customers can reduce both Electromagnetic Interference
(EMI) and cost by using a less complex SoC. This scenario extends the
lifespan of an SoC to meet next-generation performance demands.
For example, both ARM7 and ARM9 MCUs can run fully interactive
Vector Graphics with sound at 24 fps. Additionally, mobile phones and
video media players can run smooth games beginning with an ARM7 MCU
with 77MHz.
Applications
The improved video capabilities will benefit consumer electronic
products such as smart toys, portable game devices, and portable media
players. Other ideal applications include end-of-aisle displays,
digital signage, and kiosks.
"Video and display screens are now an integral part of electronic
designs across several markets. As such, the connection between
software and hardware is a key differentiating factor for a company
whose customers face increasingly tight time-to-market and system cost
challenges," said Noel Giamello, Senior Director, Systems Solutions
Business Unit for Sharp Microelectronics. "We are pleased to be among
the first MCU companies to work with Actimagine, whose technologies
can only continue to enhance the performance of Sharp's powerful
product offerings."
This technology is also advantageous for proprietary content
owners. The media device must have this codec in order to decompress
and play the video. The Actimagine video encoder generates the
Actimagine video format, called "VX." This software encoder converts
any video format such as MPEG4, AVI, and WMV into Actimagine VX
format. The VX encoder is available as stand-alone PC software, as a
server version for "on-the-fly" video conversion and mass conversion,
and as a software library for integration in other video production.
The Actimagine video format offers an additional layer of protection
against piracy.
Sharp Microelectronics and Actimagine will continue to collaborate
on R&D activities for future ICs to remain ahead of customers' design
requirements and to investigate business opportunities to support
customers.
Sharp Microelectronics and Actimagine will demonstrate the
upgraded SoCs at Sharp's booth #12-244 in Hall 12.0 at Embedded World
2006 from February 14-16, at Messezentrum, Nurnberg, Germany.
Actimagine's technology integrates seamlessly into Sharp's SoC
devices, without any hardware modifications. Sharp's SoCs continue to
form the basis of its total system solutions, including high-quality
LCD displays, Flash memory, optoelectronics devices, and other key
design components, such as a touch screen.
Sharp Microelectronics also offers low-cost development tools to
support these components, including a low-cost software development
kit, developed by Logic Product Development. In addition,
comprehensive software and documentation are available via Sharp's
BlueStreak Software Library, http://able.sharpsma.com.
Availability
Sharp's enhanced SoCs are available now. Contact Sharp for pricing
information.
About Sharp Microelectronics of the Americas
Sharp Microelectronics of the Americas, Camas, WA, is the
U.S.-based microelectronics sales and marketing unit of Japan's Sharp
Corporation. In 2001, Sharp also designated Sharp Microelectronics of
the Americas as its global development center for Microcontroller and
System-on-Chip products based on the popular ARM7 and ARM9 cores.
Sharp is a worldwide developer of core digital technologies that are
playing an integral role in shaping the next generation of electronic
products for consumer and business needs. Sharp Microelectronics of
the Americas offers breakthrough memory, LCD, optoelectronics, CCD,
RF/IR, microcontroller and System-on-Chip components, along with
packaging and integration skills that help design engineers throughout
North and South America bring their ambitious ideas to market. Sharp
Microelectronics of the Americas is dedicated to improving people's
lives through the use of advanced technology and a commitment to
innovation, quality, value and design. For more information, visit
www.sharpsma.com.
About Actimagine
Actimagine conceives, patents, and licenses display software
technology for video and Vector Graphics. These core software
technologies allow displaying video, multimedia interactive contents,
and user interfaces. Actimagine display software can be embedded or
used in any product with a color screen, from low- to high-speed
processors, from low to high definition, and with or without an
operating system. Actimagine constantly invests in developing power
efficient software, which delivers more with a better usage of the CPU
and electrical power. Actimagine technologies can be used on devices
like mobile phones, MP3 players, toys, set top boxes, TV-sets, home
appliances, digital signage, kiosks, etc. Actimagine is a privately
owned company established in March 2003 in Paris, France. Actimagine
has offices in Tokyo and Singapore. Actimagine USA shall be
incorporated in California during the second quarter of 2006. Major
U.S. and Japanese corporations have already adopted Actimagine
technologies. For more information, visit www.actimagine.com
Note: All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of
their respective companies.
ARM is a registered trademark of ARM Limited. ARM7 and ARM9 are
trademarks of ARM Limited. All other brands or product names are the
property of their respective holders. "ARM" is used to represent ARM
Holdings plc (LSE:ARM)(NASDAQ:ARMHY); its operating company ARM
Limited; and the regional subsidiaries ARM INC.; ARM KK; ARM Korea
Ltd.; ARM Taiwan; ARM France SAS; and ARM Consulting (Shanghai) Co.
Ltd.; and ARM Belgium N.V.
Contact:
Young & Roehr Group
Toni Cole, 503-222-0626 ext. 730
Email Contact
|
Be the first to review this article
