Dr. Dobb's | Multimedia Processor Targets Sub-$100 CE Devices

Multimedia Processor Targets Sub-$100 CE Devices

Ten months after rolling out the Zevio ASIC platform at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, LSI Logic has introduced the Zevio 1020--a multimedia application processor designed to power sub-$100 consumer devices

November 13, 2006
URL:http://drdobbs.com/windows/multimedia-processor-targets-sub-100-ce/193700833

SAN FRANCISCO — Ten months after rolling out the Zevio ASIC platform at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, LSI Logic Corp. has introduced the first Zevio chip— a multimedia application processor designed to power sub-$100 consumer devices, the company said Monday (Nov. 13).

LSI (Milpitas, Calif.) said the processor, dubbed Zevio 1020, is optimized for electronic toys, navigation systems and other consumer electronics products that carry retail prices of $100 or less. The Zevio 1020 supports low-power consumption, advanced graphics, and digital audio and video, the company said.

According to Melvin Hirata, director of marketing for the Zevio product line, LSI believes Zevio chips will enable an entirely new class of lower-cost consumer electronics products. In recent years, the gap between high-end gaming platforms and low-end handheld video games has been growing, as consumers show willingness to spend more money on powerful systems such as the Sony PlayStation 3 but not on low-end products with inferior graphics capability and performance.

By utilizing Zevio devices, vendors will be able to close that gap somewhat by adding better graphics and more bells and whistles to low-end systems without significantly driving up price points, Hirata said. "We are trying to bring those sub-$100 products to that next level," Hirata said.

The Zevio 1020 is a multicore device that features an ARM9 core, LSI's ZSP400 core, as well as a 3D graphics core (co-developed with Koto Ltd.), and a 2D/3D MIDI sound core. The device also integrates a video digital-to-analog converter and a secure digital input/output card slot for data storage or peripheral expansion.

The Zevio 1020's typical power consumption is less than 150 milliwatts, according to LSI. The company said benchmark testing shows that the part consumers less than 200 milliwatts while supporting quarter video graphics array playback and less than 50 milliwatts supporting audio playback.

According to Hirata, the Zevio 1020 offers a graphics capability roughly halfway between that of the original PlayStation and the PlayStation 2. "We wanted to pack enough performance, yet have the cost consciousness in mind to address this type of market," Hirata said.

LSI said it has built a network of third-party partners providing support for the Zevio family in form of real-time operating systems, middleware and other tools.

The Zevio 1020 processor is available now and offered in 208 pin plastic quad flat pack and 204 thin and fine-pitch ball grid array packages. Pricing is under $8 in volume quantities, LSI said.