Contributors: Bob Wheeler, Jag Bolaria, Joseph Byrne In This Issue Via Targets HDTVs At ESC Boston last week, Via Technologies introduced a new system-logic chip, the CX700M, that combines with its low-cost x86-compatible processors to target HDTVs and other consumer video applications. In addition to providing a single-chip north/south bridge, the CX700M includes an HDTV-quality video encoder/decoder, 3D-graphics acceleration, and two ATA or serial ATA ports. The CX700M connects directly to Via's C7 processors using the high-bandwidth V4 bus. The C7 comes in several versions; the ULV version uses just 3.5W at 1.0GHz at 7.5W at 1.5GHz. These versions have a list price of less than $55. The company did not disclose pricing for the CX700M. The combination of the C7 and CX700M provides a highly integrated solution for high-definition personal video recorders (PVR) that use hard-disk drives, consuming as little as 7W total for the two chips. The Via chips can also be used in HDTV sets and in other devices that record or display HD video. Although RISC processors are available at lower cost, they require an external video codec chip to deliver the same feature set. Via has been gaining share in consumer applications with its power-efficient CPUs, and the new CX700M chip should help it continue this trend. —Linley Additional coverage of Via's C7 processor appears in our new report A Guide to High-Speed Embedded Processors. Last week, Agere rolled out the third product in its Vision family, expanding the product line to cover low-cost phones. The X125 fits under the existing X115 (2.5G) and X455 (3G), serving the "value" segment of phones that have a materials cost below $50. Despite its sub-$10 price, the two-chip X125 includes separate application and baseband CPUs, allowing it to deliver high-quality MP3 music and ringtones without disturbing the baseband. The X125 uses the same basic architecture as the X115 with a few modifications to reduce cost. The biggest change is the use of 90nm technology for the digital chip, whereas the older X115 uses 130nm. The X125 also omits the direct camera and display interfaces, instead connecting to these components (if at all) through its memory interface. These omissions reduce die area and package size, helping the X125 hit its low price target. Although this method reduces display performance, the X125 can still deliver 30fps video decode on a QCIF display, which is typical in low-cost phones. The X125 runs its ARM926 CPU at up to 120MHz, only slightly slower than the 150MHz achieved by the X115. Although Agere says the X15 can be used in phones with a materials cost as low as $30, the chip set does not integrate the radio subsystem, unlike ultra-low-cost handset processors from Texas Instruments and others. But for a low-cost processor, the X115 delivers good multimedia capabilities. The new chip is currently sampling and should appear in phones early next year. —Linley Additional
coverage of Agere's Vision family appears in our
report A Guide
to Wireless Handset Processors.
Now
in its 3rd edition, A Guide to High-Speed Embedded
Processors has been extensively revised to cover new products
and trends in the embedded market. In particular, we examine the
shift from standalone to integrated processors and the shift from
single-CPU to multicore. We also provide market size and market share
by vendor, instruction set, and application.
Unlike typical market research, this report provides technology analysis and head-to-head product comparisons. Which processors will perform best on your application? What features do they offer to simplify your design task? How is likely is the company to deliver on its roadmap? Only The Linley Group's unique technology analysis can provide this forward-looking view. We separate the fact from fiction and provide the technology analysis you need to make informed business decisions. For more information on this new edition, visit our web site. To receive Linley on CE via e-mail, you must register on our web site
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