Click here to learn
about this Sponsor:
Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum  |  Directory

Keywords: Match:
ARM9-based SoC targets low-end PMPs
Apr. 23, 2008

Korean chipmaker MagicEyes Digital has announced an ARM9-based system-on-chip (SoC) intended for low-end navigation devices and PMPs (personal media players). Supporting Windows CE 5.0 and 6.0, the "Pollux" features on-chip 3D graphics acceleration, an NTSC/PAL video encoder, and a video DAC with picture-in-picture capabilities.

The Pollux is produced using a 90nm process and comes in a 288-pin, 15mm x 15mm FBGA (fine pitch ball grid array) package. A 533MHz ARM926EJ core includes 16Kb caches for both instructions and data, and incorporates ARM's Jazelle Java hardware accelerator.


A block diagram of the MagicEyes Pollux

Said to be suitable for applications such as 3D mapping, the Pollux's 3D graphics accelerator supports one digital and one analog display simultaneously, with screen sizes up to 1280 x 1024 pixels. Open GL ES 1.1-compliant, the accelerator can do 3D texture mapping, lighting, shading, fogging, Z-Buffering, and alpha-blending. It can manipulate 133M texels (texture elements) or 1.33M polygons per second, MagicEyes claims.

Other features and specifications listed by MagicEyes for the Pollux include:
  • DDR SDRAM controller
    • 133MHz DDR SDRAM memory x 16bit
    • Single DDR memory bank
    • Supports up to 128MB, peak memory bandwidth 533MB/sec
  • Static bus controller
    • 16-bit data bus
    • Supports 8-bit NAND flash and 8/16-bit SRAM
    • Supports SLC/MLC NAND flash
    • Boots from NAND flash or NOR flash
    • IDE interface with PIO mode
  • Integrated peripherals:
    • USB 2.0 host/device
    • I2C
    • 4 x serial
    • SSP/SPI
    • 2-channel SD/MMC
    • I2S
  • Power management modes:
    • Individual block dynamic power controller
    • Supports various power-down modes (idle/stop)
  • Operating temperature -- 0 to 70 deg. C

The Pollux envisioned as part of a complete device


As shown in the illustration above, MagicEyes envisions the Pollux becoming the heart of a complete PND (personal navigation device) or PMP (personal media player). It would be connected to a GPS module serially, to an audio DAC via I2S, and to a television receiver via SPI.

Development kit

The Pollux has already been used in a hardware development kit, made available by fellow Korean vendor Aiji System. Shown below, the "Pollux DTK" offers a 4.3-inch touchscreen LCD display with 480 x 272 pixel resolution, five navigation keys, 128MB of RAM, and 76MB of flash. Offering PC-style interfaces including dual serial ports and a 10/100 Ethernet connector, it also adds an audio DAC and provides composite video output.


The Pollux DTK development board
(Click to enlarge)

Features and specifications listed by Aiji System for the Pollux DTK include:
  • Processor -- MagicEyes Pollux, with ARM926EJ core clocked at 533MHz
  • Memory:
    • 128MB of DDR DRAM
    • 64MB SLC NAND flash
    • 8MB MLC NAND flash
    • 4MB NOR flash
  • Display -- 4.3-inch touchscreeen display with 480 x 272 resolution
  • Keys -- 5 navigation buttons and power switch
  • Networking -- 10/100 Ethernet
  • Other I/O:
    • USB 1.1 host
    • USB 2.0 device
    • 4 x RS232 (2 with PC-style connectors)
    • composite video output
    • audio line in and line out
  • Expansion -- SD interface
  • Power supply -- 5VDC

A block diagram of the Pollux development board


The Pollux DTK comes with Windows CE 5.0 and a Windows CE board support package (BSP). For more information, see the Aiji System website, here.

In addition to supporting Windows CE 5.0 and 6.0, the MagicEyes Pollux SoC runs Linux. Pricing or availability information was not provided by MagicEyes, but the chip appears to be available now.



Related Stories:


(Click here for further information)


Windows XP for Embedded Applications
This white paper describes the benefits of using Windows XP when developing embedded applications.

A Manager's Guide to Selecting a Mobile Device Operating System
This white paper offers a comparative review of Microsoft Windows CE and Windows Mobile.

Visual Basic 6.0 to .NET Migration
This paper focuses on the methodology and techniques which Infosys (Microsoft Technology Center) has developed for migrating VB 6.0 Applications to .NET. Our approach ensures a smooth, cost effective, and efficient migration.

Mobile Device Security: Securing the Handheld, Securing the Enterprise
This whitepaper identifies security threats to corporate data on mobile devices and details how mobile devices can become a "backdoor" to the enterprise.

Mobile Device Security: The Eight Areas of Risk
It's common knowledge that adding mobile devices to your network increases security risks. There are multiple facets to mobile security, all of which should be paid close attention to. This E-Guide presents a more in depth look into the eight key areas of securing wireless devices.

Quality Assurance and .NET
This paper discusses best practices for functional, regression and load testing of .NET applications.

SCADA Security in Integrated Networks
As businesses leverage their SCADA systems by integrating them into the business networks, they must also assure the security of the SCADA system.

The Advantages of Small Form Factor HMI
HMIs have mutated and changed with new requirements, and they have become more flexible and capable. And while they've been doing that, they've become smaller and more useful.

9 Critical Requirements for Web Application Security
Learn why your Web applications expose dangerous security breaches and what’s required to effectively protect your Web applications and the sensitive information behind them.

 


Got a HOT tip?   please tell us!
Free weekly newsletter
Enter your email...
Click here for a profile of each sponsor:
PLATINUM SPONSORS
(Become a sponsor)

ADVERTISEMENT
(Advertise here)

Updated! The latest Windows-powered...

mobile phones!

other cool
gadgets

HOT TOPICS
Microsoft targets PNDs with new embedded OS
Microsoft tips .NET MF 3.0 highlights
Microsoft previews Windows Embedded Standard
Microsoft offers free Windows CE 6.0 textbook
Microsoft renames embedded operating systems
Microsoft unveils Windows Mobile 6.1
New Atom models target low-cost PCs
REFERENCE GUIDES
Windows Device Showcase
Intro to Windows Embedded
Intro to Shared Source
Real-time Windows Embedded
Windows Embedded books
Join our Windows Embedded discussion forums:
Windows XP Embedded
Windows CE
Windows Mobile


Windows Embedded developer newsgroups
Windows CE
XP Embedded
PocketPC
Smartphone

Microsoft's Windows Embedded resources
Embedded dev center
Mobile dev center
Windows CE tutorials
XP Embedded tutorials
Windows Embedded seminars
Windows Embedded application categories
3rd-party partners


BREAKING NEWS

• Cortex-A8 SBCs target signage and kiosks
• Student competition offers a different kind of fireworks
• Windows CE SBC targets HMI development
• All-you-can-eat carrier launches -- sort of
• Adeneo and IntervalZero promote "soft-control" architecture
• App creates virtual serial ports in Windows CE
• Windows satellite phone service takes off (literally)
• Bsquare and Microsoft renew key distribution agreement
• Software syncs HTC phones with Macs
• Electricity meter runs Windows, talks to Google
• Windows device is two phones in one
• MIcrosoft's online store to debut with 600 Windows Mobile apps
• Windows Mobile gets upgraded Skype VoIP client
• Panel PC targets outdoor use
• Samsung shrinks ARM11 application processor


MOST POPULAR (last 90 days)
• "Netbook" uses Intel's Atom N270
• Windows CE takes on Linux in low-end netbooks
• HTC ups Touch resolution
• Microsoft unleashes new embedded OS
• Windows Mobile phone gets 800 x 480 display
• HTC spins WiMAX phone?
• Smart camera sports Atom
• Dual-core AMD netbook gets rave review
• Windows Mobile 7 "delayed"
• GPS phone uses new Marvell "Tavor" chip
MOST POPULAR (Classics from the vault)
Windows XP Embedded USB boot
Troubleshooting Windows XPe's blue screen "Stop 0x0000007B" error
Asus reveals $190 mini notebook
Windows Mobile 6 SDKs available for download
Windows Mobile VPN client plays with Cisco
HTC adds GPS to Windows Mobile Touch line
Microsoft unveils Windows Mobile 6.1
Guide to HTC's Windows Mobile smartphone platforms
• HTC releases Touch Diamond ROM upgrade
Customizing Windows XP Embedded thin clients

Also visit our sister sites:


Sign up for WindowsForDevices.com's...

news feed

Or, follow us on Twitter...



Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum  |  Directory  |  About  |  Contact
 

Ziff Davis Enterprise Home | Contact Us | Advertise | Link to Us | Reprints | Magazine Subscriptions | Newsletters
Tech RSS Feeds | White Papers | ROI Calculators | Tech Podcasts | Tech Video | VARs | Channel News

Baseline | Careers | Channel Insider | CIO Insight | DesktopLinux | DeviceForge | DevSource | eSeminars |
eWEEK | Enterprise Network Security | LinuxDevices | Linux Watch | Microsoft Watch | Mid-market | Networking | PDF Zone |
Publish | Security IT Hub | Strategic Partner | Web Buyer's Guide | Windows for Devices

Developer Shed | Dev Shed | ASP Free | Dev Articles | Dev Hardware | SEO Chat | Tutorialized | Scripts |
Code Walkers | Web Hosters | Dev Mechanic | Dev Archives | igrep

Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2009 Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is prohibited. Windows is a trademark or registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries and is used by WindowsForDevices under license from owner. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. WindowsForDevices is an independent publication not affiliated with Microsoft Corporation.