| ST multimedia applications processor runs Linux |
Dec. 10, 2003
 STMicroelectronics (ST) announced that it is now delivering samples and development boards for the first member of its new Nomadik multimedia application processor family, the STn8800. According to ST, the processors allow devices such as mobile phones and PDAs to play music, take pictures, record video, and host two-way visual communication in real time, and include interfaces for CMOS image sensors, wireless connectivity, smart cards and other peripherals, thus enabling them to become a device's "multimedia hub".
A demo of the STn8800 at the CDMA Congress in Florida this week shows the STn8800 simultaneously decoding both digital audio and 30 frames-per-second VGA video, while providing low power consumption, according to ST.
(Click here for a larger view of the Nomadik development board)
About the Nomadik
ST says its Nomadik processor chips are based on the combination of an ARM926EJ CPU core together with programmable "smart accelerators" that operate independently and concurrently to handle the key video and audio coding functions, including pre/post-processing. Java acceleration is also provided, for efficient run-time execution.
The programmable audio smart-accelerator implements the main industry-standard digital audio encoders and decoders including MP3, SBC, MPEG2-Layer II, AAC, and many others. The programmable video smart accelerator supports H.263 and MPEG-4 CODECs using an extremely optimized ST proprietary technology. The new H26L (H.264) standard will also be available in future Nomadik implementations.
According to ST, the Nomadik processors' distributed processing approach simplifies software development because developers typically need to write code only for the CPU. In addition, there is much more headroom for them to add new software applications in the future since multimedia functions are not typically executed on the main processor.
The Nomadik processors provide a standard baseband modem interface to enable modem independence for mobile phone applications. As with the baseband modem, a simple interface supports communication with wireless PAN (Bluetooth), and wireless LAN (802.11a/b/g), and position location (GPS) chipsets from ST and other manufacturers. This flexibility gives manufacturers the freedom to choose their own mix of connectivity solutions across their product line, ST says.
Embedded OS support
ST says its Nomadik processors are capable of hosting popular embedded and mobile operating systems such as Linux, Microsoft Windows CE, and Symbian.
With regard to Linux support, a company spokesman said ST currently has "a base version" of Linux running on Nomadik silicon. "We are still evaluating which of the many flavors of Linux it could make sense for us to support," he said. "This decision will be largely driven by the customer's choice. There is no one version of Linux in mobile which has a clear lead in the market, although MontaVista seems to be making some good progress."
The spokesman added that a "base version" of Windows CE 4.2 is currently running on Nomadik silicon as well, and that ST expects to have a "fully certified" port during Q1 of 2004. "From that we can easily extend it to offer [support for] Windows Mobile 2003 PocketPC and Smartphone editions, and Windows CE for Automotive, according to market requirements," the spokesman said.
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