Ventures News: MediaQ Licenses ARM9 Core to Develop Application Processor for Handheld Devices

14.04.2003 | Wirtschaftspresse

MediaQ developing energy-efficient SoC based on ARM922T processor core


CAMBRIDGE, UK and SANTA CLARA, CALIF., April 14, 2003 - ARM [(LSE:ARM) (Nasdaq:ARMHY)], the industry's leading provider of 16/32-bit embedded RISC microprocessor solutions, and MediaQ, Inc., a leading developer of multimedia platform controllers for handheld devices, today announced that MediaQ has licensed the ARM922TTM embedded processor core for use in the soon-to-be announced energy-efficient, application processor for multimedia centric portable devices. MediaQ will implement the ARM922T core in a low-power SoC that boosts multimedia application performance for handhelds such as PDAs and mobile handsets.


"MediaQ has selected the ARM922T core as the foundation for its new generation of energy-efficient applications processors that will bring high-end multimedia capabilities to attractively priced handhelds," said Elie Antoun, president and CEO, MediaQ. "The popular ARM9TM family CPU core will be complimented by our hardware acceleration technologies that will create a uniquely crafted SoC for the mobile market space."


MediaQ products share a common architecture that intelligently integrates video and graphics acceleration engines with advanced peripheral connectivity, boosting graphics, multimedia and application performance while reducing system power consumption.


"MediaQ offers a compelling approach to meeting the challenge of converging technologies and requirements for increased graphics and multi-media functionality in mobile, power-constrained applications," said John Rayfield, VP, US marketing for ARM. "Implementation of the ARM922T processor core will enable MediaQ to achieve the power and price/performance metrics needed to deliver an IC solution that addresses the requirements of today's feature-rich PDAs and smart phones."


The ARM922T hard macrocell is suitable for a wide range of OSs such as Linux, PalmOS, SymbianOS and WindowsCE. Built around the high- performance ARM9TDMI® 32-bit RISC CPU, the ARM922T core features 8k instruction and data caches, memory management unit (MMU), AMBATM methodology-compliant interfaces and support for the ARM® real-time trace technology.


About ARM

ARM is the industry's leading provider of 16/32-bit embedded RISC microprocessor solutions. The company licenses its high-performance, low- cost, power-efficient RISC processors, peripherals and system-on-chip (SoC) designs to leading international electronics companies. ARM also provides comprehensive support required in developing a complete system. ARM's microprocessor cores are rapidly becoming a volume RISC standard in such markets as portable communications, hand-held computing, multimedia digital consumer and embedded solutions. More information on ARM is available at www.arm.com


About MediaQ

MediaQ, Inc. develops highly integrated semiconductors and accompanying software that are focused on delivering the best visual experience on mobile handheld devices. Key customer segments are PDAs, Smart Phones and next- generation color-based cell phones. MediaQ's core technologies enhance visual display capabilities, improve connectivity, and minimize chip and system-level power consumption. The company enhances its semiconductor product offerings with a comprehensive set of software, including drivers for the major operating systems and APIs that minimize OEM product development time. Founded in 1997, MediaQ is a privately held company headquartered in Santa Clara, CA. For additional information about MediaQ, call 408-733-0080 or visit http://www.mediaq.com.


ARM and ARM9TDMI are registered trademarks of ARM Limited. ARM9, ARM922T and AMBA are trademarks of ARM Limited. All other brands or product names are the property of their respective holders. "ARM" is used to represent ARM Holdings plc (LSE: ARM and Nasdaq: ARMHY); its operating company ARM Limited; and the regional subsidiaries ARM INC.; ARM KK; ARM Korea Ltd.; ARM Taiwan; ARM France SAS; and ARM Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.