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

Keywords: Match:
Linux powers single-chip digital TV processors
Nov. 14, 2006

Toshiba America Electronic Components (TAEC) is sampling its second-generation processors for mid-range and low-end digital TVs having single-chip designs. The TC90407XBG and TC90407XFG chips feature 64-bit MIPS-based host processors and dual DSPs, along with on-chip function blocks aimed at supporting the North American ATSC standard, and come with Linux support.

TAEC previously sampled its first-generation TC90400XBG and TC90400FG chips in April.

According to TAEC, the second-generation TC90407XBG and TC90407FG integrate new on-chip functional blocks that "reduce system cost and support new algorithms that improve picture quality significantly." Specific function blocks include VSB (vestigial side band) and QAM (quadrature amplitude modulation) engines, for demodulation of ATSC and cable streams.

The new TAEC SoCs (system-on-chip processors) will be available standalone, or in application-specific modules aimed at digital converter boxes or add-on modules that add digital ATSC-compliant tuners to existing analog CRT and LCD TV designs. A "DLVM-GC" module targets digital CRT TVs, while a "DLVM-GL" unit targets LCD TVs. Both will help TV vendors meet a U.S. mandate that broadcast TVs completely convert to digital terrestrial transmission by 2009, TAEC says.

Both the TC90407XBG and TC90407FG are claimed capable of decoding and displaying a single standard- (720 x 480) or high-definition (1960 x 1080) stream. Both have a pair of DSP cores, along with a RISC-based host processor.


TC90407XBG function diagram
(Source: TEAC; click to enlarge)

Touted features of the second-generation processors include:
  • A 162MHz TX49/L3 64-bit RISC processor core with 8KB instruction cache and 8KB data cache, a unified memory system, a 16-bit, 162MHz DDR SDRAM controller, and NAND/NOR flash support

  • An integrated 8-VSB and 64/256 QAM demodulator for ATSC TV

  • A transport stream processor that is fully compliant to ATSC standards and cable transport streams

  • A video decoder for standard-definition decoding. It supports MPEG-2 decoding (MP@ML and MP@SL) and MPEG-1 decoding.

  • A video decoder for high-definition decoding. It supports MPEG-2 decoding for MP@HL for ATSC and digital cable. A high-definition decoded stream can be displayed in high-definition resolution up to 960 x 1080 and is 720p or 1080i compliant. It also has high-definition to standard-definition down-conversion for display in standard-definition resolution.

  • An audio processor with MPEG- Audio and Dolby AC-3 decoding plus an I2S and S/P-DIF transmitter (IEC-60958/61937)

  • A graphics engine with two planes for YUV/graphics, alpha blending, video scaling and progressive scan with I/P conversion through line-interpolation

  • Video output using a dual NTSC video encoder and 4 DACs that support two 480i analog outputs for standard-definition or one 720p/1080i output for high-definition. It provides 4:2:2 YUV digital-output (ITU R656/R601), VBI re-insertion with closed-caption and CGMS-A, and interlaced or progressive output.

  • A wide range of interfaces and peripherals -- a 8/16-bit 40.5 MHz local bus for NAND/NOR flash and other I/O devices, a two-channel DMA controller, two sets of SIO interface (UART), ten PIOs, three 24-bit timer/counters, two sets of I2C interface, an IR-decoder and an IR-blaster

  • Has power-down and standby operations

  • A complete reference system with software and middleware support for quick product deployment

  • Software and middleware based on MontaVista Linux

  • Common application program interface support for middleware and application development

  • Packaging: TC90407XBG is housed in a 292-pin PBGA package while TC90407FG is offered in a 256-pin LQFP package

Shardul Kazi, VP of the ASSP (application specific standard product) business unit at TAEC, stated, "The introduction of the TC90407XBG/FG chips and DLVM-GC/DLVM-GL modules mark another major milestone in our strategy to offer complete platform solutions for the digital TV segment."

Availability

Both the TC90407XBG and TC90407FG are currently sampling. The TC90407FG is expected in Q1, 2007, while the TC90407XBG will ship in April, TAEC says. Pricing will range from $15 to $18, with a 100K/year volume commitment.

The DLVM-GC and DLVM-GL reference modules are available now, with Linux drivers.



Related Stories:


(Click here for further information)


FUEL Database on MontaVista Linux
Whether building a mobile handset, a car navigation system, a package tracking device, or a home entertainment console, developers need capable software systems, including an operating system, development tools, and supporting libraries, to gain maximum benefit from their hardware platform and to meet aggressive time-to-market goals.

Breaking New Ground: The Evolution of Linux Clustering
With a platform comprising a complete Linux distribution, enhanced for clustering, and tailored for HPC, Penguin Computing¿s Scyld Software provides the building blocks for organizations from enterprises to workgroups to deploy, manage, and maintain Linux clusters, regardless of their size.

Data Monitoring with NightStar LX
Unlike ordinary debuggers, NightStar LX doesn¿t leave you stranded in the dark. It¿s more than just a debugger, it¿s a whole suite of integrated diagnostic tools designed for time-critical Linux applications to reduce test time, increase productivity and lower costs. You can debug, monitor, analyze and tune with minimal intrusion, so you see real execution behavior. And that¿s positively illuminating.

Virtualizing Service Provider Networks with Vyatta
This paper highlights Vyatta's unique ability to virtualize networking functions using Vyatta's secure routing software in service provider environments.

High Availability Messaging Solution Using AXIGEN, Heartbeat and DRBD
This white paper discusses a high-availability messaging solution relying on the AXIGEN Mail Server, Heartbeat and DRBD. Solution architecture and implementation, as well as benefits of using AXIGEN for this setup are all presented in detail.

Understanding the Financial Benefits of Open Source
Will open source pay off? Open source is becoming standard within enterprises, often because of cost savings. Find out how much of a financial impact it can have on your organization. Get this methodology and calculator now, compliments of JBoss.

Embedded Hardware and OS Technology Empower PC-Based Platforms
The modern embedded computer is the jack of all trades appearing in many forms.

Data Management for Real-Time Distributed Systems
This paper provides an overview of the network-centric computing model, data distribution services, and distributed data management. It then describes how the SkyBoard integration and synchronization service, coupled with an implementation of the OMG¿s Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard, can be used to create an efficient data distribution, storage, and retrieval system.

7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.

 


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

ADVERTISEMENT
(Advertise here)

Check out the latest Linux powered...

mobile phones!

other cool
gadgets



BREAKING NEWS

• First ALP Linux smartphone?
• First Atom-based nano-ITX board?
• New kernel boosts embedded
• First dual-monitor LTSP 5 set-up?
• Understanding Unix spells and curses
• Tools vendor touts low-cost Linux BSPs
• Debugger supports multi-core MIP64 chips
• Webinars tackle VxWorks-to-Linux ports
• Twin POS systems for Linux
• Mobile Firefox ready for download
• Miguel de Icaza on Mono 2.0
• Embedded Linux declining?
• Mobile WiMAX service launches in U.S.
• Euro Linux device conference announces speakers
• POS stack targets Linux netbooks


Most popular stories -- past 90 days:
• Open source phone goes mass-market
• Tinest Linux system, yet?
• Garmin Nav devices run Gnome Linux
• ARM9 board boots Debian in 0.69 seconds
• Low-cost laptop runs Linpus Linux
• Linux-friendly Beagle fetches $150
• Mini Linux PC breaks $100 barrier
• Open source camera records geotagged video to SATA HDD
• Open set-top box ships
• First $100 laptop runs Linux


DesktopLinux headlines:
• Mandriva 2009 debuts with KDE 4 desktop
• Debian Sid-based distro reviewed
• Miguel de Icaza on Mono 2.0
• RIP LinuxWorld
• Testers sought for Blackberry-Linux sync software
• Google updates photo editor for Linux
• Major Mono rev ships
• Intrepid Ibex beta-tests
• Linux netbook returns higher?
• Open-source image editing project launches


Also visit our sister site:


Sign up for LinuxDevices.com's...

news feed

Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum  |  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 © 1999-2008 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. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.