Please note that JavaScript and style sheet are used in this website,
Due to unadaptability of the style sheet with the browser used in your computer, pages may not look as original.
Even in such a case, however, the contents can be used safely.
Japan
NEC Electronics Introduces EMMA MobileTM 1, System LSI for Portable Audio-Visual Devices
Provides Long-time Operation for Portable Multimedia Devices By NEC Electronics' Lower Power Technology
KAWASAKI, Japan, DUESSELDORF, Germany, SANTA CLARA, Calif. (U.S.A.), January 16, 2009
NEC Electronics today announced that it has commercialized EMMA MobileTM 1, an optimal system LSI chip for the market of portable devices to process audio and visual data, such as portable multi-media players and mobile TVs. Samples of the new EMMA Mobile 1 are available now.
The new product is a multi-media processor for portable devices that integrate in a single chip all the functions necessary for playing multi-media data, such as ARM's high-end CPU core ARM1176JZF-STM, high-performance DSP core for decoding digital signals of images and sound, as well as image display functions.
The new product has the following features (1) Compatible with MPEG4, H.264, as well as VC-1 and is capable of D1 size (720 x 480 dots) video playback. (2) With NEC Electronics' advanced low-power technology, the new product can process multi-media data with lower than half of power consuming of conventional products. (3) Capable of playing various multi-media contents without any external components, by integrating built-in interfaces such as SD card interface. These features can be adapted to all kinds of embedded system as well as portable devices. The new product allows users to easily develop multi-functional, high-performance mobile devices and embedded systems with long battery life in shortened development period.
Various portable multimedia devices have recently been released in the market of portable market, such as portable multi-media players and mobile TVs. The global market for such devices has grown to 100 million units in 2007, expected to grow about 50% a year to 250 million units in 2010. In addition, many devices like digital still cameras and digital video cameras are also becoming multi-functional and high-performance, and mobile market is expected to evolve into market of multimedia data processor with higher performance. NEC Electronics has been actively expanding business in the market of semiconductors products for portable devices, including cell phones, as one of its core business. NEC Electronics released the application processor MP201 in July 2006, and the MedityTM M2 ("M2") for cell phones-system LSI that integrates both the base-band and the application processor on a single chip- in July 2007, and has been well accepted in the market. The new product, while maintaining the low power consumption and multi-functional and high-performance technology of software and hardware, offers the new high-end multi-media data processing features and high-quality image to provide the most optimized chips to the market of portable audio-visual appliances, as solutions including software.
The new product offers the following features:
- (1) Capable of various multi-media content data playback
By equipping 500 MHz, high-performance DSP and H.264 accelerator, the chip is not only capable of the playback and decoding of audio data such as MP3 and AAC, but also capable of MPEG4, VC-1 playback, H.264 video on a D1 size (720 x 480 dot) screen at 30fps. In addition, the product integrates LCD controller that controls the display of a maximum WVGA size (800 x 480 dot) LCD panel, making it possible to resize D1 size digital content on a WVGA LCD panel. Furthermore, the H.264 accelerator can encode H.264 at 30fps (Note 1). These features enable the chip applicable to new mobile devices, such as mobile AV communicators, which compress video data shot with a camera and transfer the data to other devices. - (2) Reduced power consumption when playing back multi-media data
The new product incorporates various technologies acquired through the development of M2, such as automatic clock control, on-chip power switch technology, and quick recovery technology (Note 2). By these features, equipment to play multi-media data with power consuming approximately half of conventional products, thereby contributes to longer battery life. - (3) Incorporates various built-in generic interface
The new product integrates various built-in interfaces necessary for input and output of multi-media data, such as SD card interface, USB, SPI, UART, PCM, IIC, and NTSC/PAL. As a result, users do not have to install external component specifically for the interface, thereby can reduce the number of parts as well as the package area. - (4) Supports short-term system development
NEC Electronics provides Codec and other software, and NEC Electronics and its partner company offer the development environment such as reference board and BSP (Board Support Package). In addition, the partner company is planning to provide turnkey solutions, such as PMP and mobile TVs. Therefore, since there is no need for the users to develop these solutions by themselves, they can concentrate on the development of GUI and the users' value-added portion of the set with shortened development time.
NEC Electronics considers this new product as a strategic product in the field of portable audio-visual devices and plans to market it actively. NEC Electronics will continue to promote the EMMA Mobile series and develop a second-stage product using 40nm process technology and multicore technology, jointly developing with ARM, to achieve higher-performance.
Please refer to the separate sheet for the main specifications of EMMA Mobile 1.
Pricing and Availability
The sample price of the new product is US30$ per unit. Mass production is scheduled to begin in August 2009 and expected to reach 1 million units per month by 2010.
Exhibition at MWC
NEC Electronics plans to exhibit CE143 in NEC's booth (Hall 8, Stand 8A125) at the Mobile World Congress 2009 (MWC 2009) to be held in Barcelona, Spain from February 16-19, 2009.
On-chip power switch technology: Technology that divides several power blocks in a chip and controls the power supplying by control switch.
Quick recovery technology: Technology that enable continuous processing speedily by restoring the pre-powered-off condition.
About NEC Electronics
NEC Electronics Corporation (TSE: 6723) specializes in semiconductor products encompassing advanced technology solutions for the high-end computing and broadband networking markets; system solutions for the mobile handset, PC peripheral, automotive and digital consumer markets; and multi-market solutions for a wide range of customer applications. NEC Electronics Corporation has subsidiaries worldwide including NEC Electronics America, Inc. and NEC Electronics (Europe) GmbH. More information about NEC Electronics worldwide can be found at www.necel.com.
Information in the press releases, including product prices and specifications is current on the date of the press announcement, but is subject to change without prior notice.
