MIPS Technologies Unveils Two New HDMI IP Cores

MIPS Technologies (News - Alert), a semiconductor design intellectual property (IP) company, has added two new IP cores, 45nm IP cores (Controller + PHY) and 90nm IP cores in silicon, to its high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) IP portfolio.

 

Intellectual property cores, also referred to as IP cores, are reusable units of a chip layout in semiconductor electronic design.

 

High-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) is an audio/video connector interface for transmitting uncompressed digital streams. HDMI can connect digital audio/video sources such as set-top boxes, Blu-ray disc players, personal computers, video game consoles, and AV receivers to compatible digital audio devices, computer monitors, and digital televisions.

 

HDMI is considered as a de facto standard for creating high-bandwidth, streamlined connections between digital devices. According to iSuppli Corporation, a technology market research firm, HDMI-enabled equipment will grow to 772.8 million units in 2012, increasing at a compound annual growth rate of 32 percent from 193 million units in 2007.

 

MIPS Technologies’ HDMI interface IP (Controller + PHY) can feature both transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx) functions. The company’s IP cores now support all video modes compliant to CEA-861-D, as well as the I2S and S/PDIF digital audio formats, says company.

 

MIPS' HDMI IP cores that are optimized for HDMI connectivity in low power, portable transmit applications are utilized in digital still cameras, camcorders, portable media players, game consoles and cell phones, as well as digital home receive applications such as high-definition DTVs and display units, A/V receivers and as well as set-top boxes.

 

The company claims that the newly launched 45nm IP cores are the first of the kind in the semiconductor industry.

 

Some of the MIPS Technologies’ USB solutions available down to 45nm and other connectivity IP solutions under development include DisplayPort, mobile industry processor interface (MIPI) and ultra-wideband solutions.

 

MIPS Technologies also announced that its 65nm HDMI IP is now silicon-proven. Recently, this HDMI IP was named as a finalist for Embedded System Product of the Year in the annual Elektra European Electronics Industry Awards.

 

“Following our launch earlier this year of the world's first HDMI IP cores in 65nm, we have already licensed the cores to several customers, and the IP will soon go into production, clearly demonstrating how HDMI IP can speed time-to-market,” said Luis Laranjeira, director of Embedded Peripherals and Digital IP, Analog Business Group, MIPS Technologies, in a statement. “For future products, we can easily port our IP to other foundries, offering customers flexibility of choice. Our impressive track record in first-time-right porting, along with excellent silicon results, further decrease risk for our customers.”

 

According to MIPS Technologies, it is the broadest supplier of connectivity, multimedia and wireless interface IP for consumer devices worldwide. The company claims that it has over 250 customers and powers products for the digital entertainment, home networking, wireless, and portable media markets including broadband devices from Linksys, DTVs and digital consumer devices from Sony, DVD recordable devices from Pioneer, digital set-top boxes from Motorola, network routers from Cisco (News - Alert), 32-bit microcontrollers from Microchip Technology and laser printers from Hewlett-Packard.