Imec implements multi-mode digital TV receiver on reconfigurable processor with record area efficiency
Leuven (Belgium) – October 11, 2011 – Imec developed a reconfigurable receiver for highly diversified digital video broadcasting standards (DVB-T, ISDB-T and ATSC). The receiver is realized using algorithm-architecture co-optimization of imec’s reconfigurable processor ADRES. The solution combines better area efficiency than reference dedicated ASICs with state-of-the-art performance. The optimizations were realized in the context of Panasonic's partnership in imec's green radio research program.
Digital broadcasting has recently gained a lot of interest, yet its deployment in products can be hampered by the many different regional standards that have been adopted world-wide. Due to the ultimate programmability, software-defined radio (SDR) solutions are becoming more and more attractive. Reconfigurable processor-based implementations allow saving on design-cost and time-to-market. However, SDR baseband solutions are traditionally reported to come with an area penalty when compared to ASIC counterparts. As area efficiency is one of the most important factors that determine the final cost of commercial chipsets, competitive area efficiency is crucial for SDR baseband solutions.
The instantiation of imec’s ADRES (architecture for dynamically reconfigurable embedded systems) processor was optimized by combining innovative algorithms (highly parallel implementation, software optimizations) with architecture improvements (optimized intrinsics, exploration towards leaner instance), resulting in a drastically smaller silicon area than the ASIC counterparts of the considered broadcasting standards. On top of its area efficiency, imec’s baseband processor proves to be highly flexible, supporting not only Digital TV standards (ATSC, ISDB-T, DVB-T,...) but also many other wireless communication standards: both an IEEE 802.11n inner receiver and a cat-4 LTE receiver can run real time on the same architecture.
Antoine Dejonghe, manager reconfigurable radio at imec: “We are delighted with these results, realized through our collaboration with Panasonic, that clearly prove the relevance and advantage of SDR baseband as a cost-efficient and flexible solution for consumer electronics.”
About imec
Imec performs world-leading research in nanoelectronics. Imec leverages its scientific knowledge with the innovative power of its global partnerships in ICT, healthcare and energy. Imec delivers industry-relevant technology solutions. In a unique high-tech environment, its international top talent is committed to providing the building blocks for a better life in a sustainable society. Imec is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, and has offices in Belgium, the Netherlands, Taiwan, US, China, India and Japan. Its staff of about 1,900 people includes more than 500 industrial residents and guest researchers. In 2010, imec's revenue (P&L) was 285 million euro. Further information on imec can be found at www.imec.be.
Related Semiconductor IP
- UCIe Chiplet PHY & Controller
- MIPI D-PHY1.2 CSI/DSI TX and RX
- Low-Power ISP
- eMMC/SD/SDIO Combo IP
- DP/eDP
Related News
- Abilis Systems' ARC-Based Mobile TV Solution Is World's Smallest DVB-H/T Receiver
- Imagination and Orca partner to deliver highly integrated TV receiver solutions
- S3 Group and Siano Mobile Silicon Collaborate on Mobile TV Receiver Chips
- Allegro DVT Launches TV 3.0 Test Suite for Brazil’s Next Generation Digital Terrestrial Television System
Latest News
- Global Semiconductor Sales Increase 17.1% Year-to-Year in February
- Altera Starts Production Shipments of Industry’s Highest Memory Bandwidth FPGA
- Blumind reimagines AI processing with breakthrough analog chip
- 32-bit RISC-V processor based on two-dimensional semiconductors
- pSemi Files Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Cirrus Logic and Lion Semiconductor