(iTers News) - As connectivity and broadcasting technologies are rapidly evolving to accommodate explosions in the data traffic, a wealth of new network protocols as well as communications and broadcasting standards are springing up. That’s where the forte of Ensigma radio processor unit, or RPU IP core from Imagination Technologies.
Imagination Technologies’ Ensigma RPU is programmable so that it can be configured to implement multiple connectivity and broadcasting standards. For example, the Ensigma RPU forms the basis of the RF SoC solution that powers up forms the basis of Jongo Wi-Fi and Bluetooth multi-room speaker system from Pure Division of Imagination Technologies.
Powered by Ensigma RPU core-embedded SoC solution, the Jongo Wi-Fi and Bluetooth multi-room speaker system allows users to play titles of music on their smart phones, or other Wi-Fi-enabled devices in a multiple of wireless speakers across multi rooms.
As the Ensigma RPU-based SoC also implement DAB, or digital audio broadcasting demodulator circuitry, the wireless speaker system also can stream DAB signals to allow users to listen digital radio broadcasting.
Pure Division is one business arm of Imagination Technologies that was established to promote a variety of wireless devices that are built around Ensigma RPU-embedded SoC RF transceiver solutions.
“This digital radio streaming combination is just one example which is complemented by the implementation of wireless Wi-Fi speaker. Both of them are using our RPU, or radio processing unit IP, which can be configured to demodulate antenna signals as well as transmitting Wi-Fi (signal), “said Volker Politz, vice president with business development unit of Imagination.
“This is a particular case where we have iPhone applications which can automatically find speakers on the network. We can switch them on to play music. The key point is that the network speakers are playing in a complete synchronization with each other. This (synchronization) is enabled by our RPU, which can do special things, because it is programmable,” added he.
Applications don’t stop there. Looking forward, the programmable Ensigma RPU IP core will be a key building block technology to fabricate a future generation of embedded SoC solution that powers what’s called as ‘the Internet of Things’ devices
The Internet of Things, or IOTs is a newly emerging market concept coined to describe an unstoppable industry trend where an increasing number of devices are being connected around the Internet.
Imagination expects shipments of the ‘Internet of Things’ devices like wearable computers would exceed 10 billion units by 2016, rapidly emerging as a Next Big Thing to revitalize global IT markets.
To keep up, Imagination Technologies has recently unveiled a new generation of Ensigma Series4 RPU IP core family that is built around a highly efficient and high-bandwidth architecture. Designed to support most demanding communications standards such as 802.11ac 2x2 MIMO and DVB-T2 in an optimal and low-power implementation, the Series4 RPUs is so scalable and so configurable that it can allow chip designers to integrate global connectivity and broadcast communications capabilities into SoCs.
Built with the latest software programmable radio techniques with an advanced 4th generation multi-processor architecture, it can also support a wide range of communications standards. They include all 802.11 Wi-Fi standards up to full 802.11ac 2x2 MIMO and 802.11n with 4x4 MIMO as well as Bluetooth, all major broadcast TV receiver standards, and all major digital and FM broadcast radio standards.
The availability of multi-standards on a single engine makes it a good fit for accommodating a proliferation of connectivity and broadcasting standards, while addressing ‘future-proof’ integration of all communications requirements onto the latest SoCs.
Its programmability also enables the same SoC to be used across multiple markets and product generations with only minimal changes.
Its architecture is so scalable that the engine can be easily scaled to address everything from the smallest most cost-sensitive embedded connected processors to the most advanced connected smart TVs or tablets targeting global markets.
For optimal deployment, the Series4 family of Ensigma RPUs comes in four ranges : Ensigma C4xxx cores support connectivity standards, Ensigma T4xxx cores support TV standards, Ensigma R4xxx cores support broadcast radio standards, and Ensigma U4xxx cores, which are universal variants supporting all standards
Tony King-Smith, EVP marketing, Imagination, says, “We have stated for several years that ultimately RPUs will go on-chip just as GPUs have done, and now we’re see this trend being acknowledged by our partners across a broadening range of markets. Given the increasingly advanced and complex communications requirements of consumer, industrial and automotive products, the Ensigma RPU is a unique solution ideally suited today’s highly competitive markets.
Video & Photos by JH Bae
