| Multimedia phone chip runs Windows Mobile, CE |
Feb. 10, 2008
STMicroelectronics (STM) has announced "pre-integrated" Windows Mobile and Windows CE support for its Nomadik STn8815 mobile multimedia applications processor. The ARM9-based system-on-chip (SoC) also gets a clock speed increase, to 393MHz, and now comes in both ball grid array (BGA) and package-on-package options.
The ARM926EJ processor core on the STn8815 includes an MMU (memory management unit), 16KB of data and instruction caches, and 128KB of level-2 cache. At 393MHz, it is now clocked almost 20 percent faster than the first 334 MHz version, originally sampled in 2006.
STn8815 block diagram
(Click image for larger view)
STM says the STn8815's Smart Imaging Accelerator (SIA) operates as a real-time, programmable image-reconstruction engine at up to 80Mpixels/sec. This allows camera phones to implement noise reduction, auto-focus, auto-exposure control, and other fundamental algorithms, without the need for an external imaging co-processor.
The STn8815's Smart Video Accelerator (SVA) does 30-Mpixel/sec. image encoding, touted as allowing "impressive multi-shot camera performance" and low-power video encoding. The Smart Audio Accelerator supports multiple audio standards such as MP3, AAC, AAC+, WMA, Midi synthesis, plus all major speech codecs, with a 24-bit audio data path, and noise reduction, echo canceling, stereo enhancements, and surround effects.
The range of packaging options for the STn8815 includes a 14 x 14 x 1mm, 0.5-pitch BGA package, said to be the best compromise between compactness and easy onboard routing; a 12 x 12 x 1mm, 0.5 pitch BGA package, "designed to fit the most space-constrained mobile designs," and a 9 x 9 x 1mm, 0.4mm-pitch package-on-package enabling the smallest PCB footprint.
Software
The STn8815 supports Windows Mobile and Windows CE, Symbian OS/S60, and Linux. The included software and middleware modules, together with application and peripheral drivers, take full advantage of the STn8815's hardware resources and multimedia accelerators, according to the company.
Also announced was a version of the STn8815 that comes with both Linux and Trolltech's Qtopia application framework. Qtopia integrates a lightweight graphics stack, along with a suite of mobile applications and a customizable user interface. Trolltech, which now offers its related Qt product for Windows CE, is in the process of being acquired by Nokia for $150 million.
Availability
Samples of the STn8815 processor engine with the Qtopia software stack are available now, says ST, with volume production scheduled for Q2. Pricing is said to be under $12 in quantities of 10,000 pieces for stand-alone package versions. More information can be found here.
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