TI claims its
OMAP 2 architecture was the first to bring cellphones features such as high-quality digital TV, DVD-quality video, digital cameras up to 6 megapixels, analog and digital broadcast reception, high-speed wireless connectivity, and greater-than-VGA resolution color LCDs. Based on ARM11 cores, the OMAP243x chips also integrate the company's SmartReflex power and performance management technology. One OMAP 2 model introduced in 2005, the
OMAP2430, was claimed to boost video performance up to 4X and imaging performance up to 1.5X, compared with competing mobile phone chipsets of the day.
TI followed up in February 2007 with the OMAP 3 architecture, based on ARM's
Cortex-A8 processor core. TI claims that OMAP 3 chips perform up to 300 percent faster than their ARM11-based predecessors. One OMAP 3 model, the
OMAP3430, integrates a hardware video codec claimed capable of encoding or decoding video at D1 (DVD) resolutions.
TI's OMAP processor roadmap
(Click to enlarge)Software specialist Bsquare, meanwhile, is notable for its expertise with Microsoft's embedded operating systems, and for its collaborations with other companies. In recent months, it has released an
enhanced, high-speed WiFi stack for Windows CE and Mobile, collaborated with WebDT on a
digital signage system, and updated its
SchemaBSP tool for creating Windows CE BSPs. In May 2007, it collaborated with Intel by
releasing Windows CE 5.0 BSPs for several of that company's "Embedded Intel Architecture" chipsets.
Markus Tremmel, worldwide wireless ecosystem manager for Texas Instruments, stated, "By working with Bsquare we are providing global device OEMs another option to get their OMAP platform-based devices to market faster at lower cost and with high quality."
Raj Khera, VP of products for Bsquare, stated, "With this new licensing agreement, we expect to be able to assist customers while expanding our service and system software products business."
The agreement will apply to development centers in both North America and Taiwan, according to the company.
Related stories:
