NEC Electronics Introduces MP201 Single-chip Application Processor

Integration of Core Functions Enables Up to 50 Percent Reduction in Time-to-Market for Portable Multimedia Applications

NEC Electronics Corporation today introduced a single-chip application processor that integrates the core functions needed for the development of portable multimedia devices. Replacing as many as three discrete chips, the MP201 processor can be used in open platform development and features on-chip video and audio data processors, integrated memory and peripheral interfaces. Using the device, system developers can achieve fast time to market for rich multimedia applications. 

The first in a series of planned application processors from NEC Electronics, the MP201 provides a comprehensive solution to designers faced with the challenge of having to develop portable devices with escalating requirements. By optimizing the hardware architecture of the new chip and developing new technology to suppress the effects of power supply noise on other circuits, NEC Electronics was able to integrate core functions in a single 14-millimeter (mm) square package that will result in smaller form factors for portable devices that house the chip. The chip is the result of joint development with Ricoh Co., Ltd.

The MP201 has an integrated high-performance digital signal processor (DSP) that can display 30 frames per second (FPS) of quarter video graphics array (QVGA) video compressed with the industry-standard H.264 digital video codec and about 30 FPS of 480 x 480 MPEG-4-compressed video. This capability allows device manufacturers to support the latest digital music formats, including formats for delivering terrestrial digital video content to portable handsets.

Memory and peripheral interfaces include a USB 2.0 interface, an industry-standard Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA) interface for hard disk connections, an input interface for Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) modulation to support terrestrial digital broadcasting and interfaces to error correction code (ECC), NAND flash memory, cameras, liquid crystal displays and memory cards.

Integrated power control functions eliminate the problem of electromagnetic noise, while three clock signal control modes and seven operating control modes allow power consumption to be adjusted according to the operating status of the device. Combined with the low-power DSP, these control functions enable portable devices implemented with the MP201 to consume only about half the power of current models.

By eliminating the need to procure and tune discrete chips to handle the complex power management tasks and USB 2.0 functions required by video players, the MP201 can significantly reduce the burden on system designers. In optimum cases, design lead times can be reduced by up to 50 percent.

The MP201 will be offered as one of NEC Electronics’ platformOViATM solutions, which  allow device manufacturers to leverage their investments in existing software resources. The platformOViA environment is an embedded software deployment and reuse platform that includes operating systems, device drivers and other basic software components that work with a wide range of compliant chips. Because the upper layers of the interface are hardware independent, developers of multimedia products can reuse existing software, for example software originally created for consumer electronics devices or car information systems. It is also possible for developers to plug in middleware components from partner companies.

Competition in the portable media player market is intensifying as consumer demand for sophisticated digital audio and video entertainment continues to grow. Shorter product life cycles, greater cost pressures and higher demand for advanced functions are forcing manufacturers to concentrate resources on the features that make their products unique. Having the functionality of three integrated circuits incorporated in one package enables designers to streamline device architectures, accelerate development schedules and reduce board space by approximately 15 percent. For further efficiency, device manufacturers have the option to reuse existing software resources and, as a result, focus on bringing strategic products to market quickly.

Availability
Sample quantities of the MP201 will be available September 2006. Volume production will begin by March 2007 and is expected to reach one million units per month within one year.

Features of the MP201

1)         Integrates all audio and video functions required by portable multimedia devices in a single package

By optimizing the hardware architecture of the new chip, and developing new technology to suppress the effects of power-supply noise on other circuits, NEC Electronics was able to integrate features formerly provided by three discrete chips in a single 14mm square package.

a)         DSP and CPU functions for video and audio data processing.

b)         Support for memory and peripheral interfaces, including USB 2.0 for 480 megabit per second communication with peripheral devices, the industry-standard ATA interface for hard disk connections, an input interface for Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) modulation to support terrestrial digital broadcasting, and an interface to error correction code (ECC) NAND flash memory, as well as interfaces to cameras, LCD displays, and memory cards.

c)         Integrated power control functions that eliminate the problem of electromagnetic noise.

Compared to designs with three discrete chips, the integrated MP201 occupies about 15% less space on the circuit board, enabling portable devices with smaller form factors. By eliminating the need to procure and tune discrete chips to handle the complex power management tasks and USB 2.0 functions required by video players, the MP201 can significantly reduce the burden on system designers. In optimum cases, design lead times can be approximately halved.

2)         Ability to display 30 frames per second of H.264 compressed QVGA video

The MP201 integrates a high-performance DSP capable of displaying 30 frames per second of QVGA video compressed with the industry-standard H.264 digital video codec. It can also display about 30 frames per second of 480 x 480 MPEG-4 compressed video. This allows device manufacturers to support the latest digital music formats as well as standards for delivering terrestrial digital video content to portable handsets, including the "1seg" standard used in Japan and the "DVB-H" standard used in Europe.

3)         Low power consumption

The MP201 supports three clock signal control modes and seven operation control modes, to allow power consumption to be adjusted according to the operating status of the device. Combined with the low-power DSP, this means that portable devices implemented with the MP201 will consume only about half the power of current models.

4)         Open-platform OViA environment for software deployment and reuse

OViA is an embedded software deployment and reuse platform that provides operating systems, device drivers, and other basic software components to work with a wide range of compliant chips. Because the upper layers of the interface are hardware independent, multimedia developers can reuse existing software, for example software originally created for consumer electronics or car information systems. It is also possible to plug in middleware components from partner companies. By reducing the software development burden, this frees device manufacturers to concentrate on rapid implementation of the strategic features of their products, such as support for terrestrial digital broadcasting.

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