By Ed Sperling
Tensilica rolled out a new imaging subsystem that it claims is significantly more efficient, with 10x to 20x better performance over most host CPUs, and even several times better than GPUs. The company claims the new IVP dataplane processing unit will run more than 130 billion 16-bit operations per second. Tensilica is targeting the mass market for these—mobile handsets, TV, automotive and computer vision apps. The company quickly inked deals for the new DPU/subsystem with Dream Chip , Almalence, Irida Labs and Morpho. Tensilica also extended a previous partnership with Acoustic Technologies for wideband HD voice processing and another with NXP for smartphone software.
Mentor Graphics created a 3D user interface for Imagination Technologies’ Pure subsidiary for DTV recorders. 3D didn’t do well in TVs, but it may do very well in set-top boxes where you don’t need to wear glasses (and ignore your friends and family.)
Synopsys inked a multi-year agreement with ARM to provide virtual developer kits for ARM’s v8 processors. The two companies had a similar deal for ARM’s v7 processors.
Arteris signed a deal with Actions Semiconductor, which will use Arteris’ network-on-chip IP for multimedia applications processors. Actions, based in China, makes SoCs for mobile consumer electronics.
Calypto integrated its high-level synthesis tool with Real Intent’s lint product. The move helps improve the accuracy of HLS, where the emphasis is on speed rather than accuracy.
Tela Innovations filed a patent infringement suit against top mobile handset vendors, including LG, HTC, Nokia and Motorola Mobility. The Los Gatos, Calif.-based Tela claims the equipment makers violated its patented design solutions for manufacturing at advanced process nodes. This may be the first of its kind.
Smartphones and tablets are projected to drive double-digit growth in the MEMS motion sensor market, according to IHS iSuppli. Revenue is forecast at $1.5 billion, which is a 13% increase over the $1.3 billion in 2012. It’s not as good as the 21% increase between 2011 and 2012, but it’s hard to argue with this kind of sales uptick.
The smartphone world has split between Android and iOS, which together now account for 91.1% of all smartphone shipments, according to IDC. That’s up from 87.6% in 2011, and it doesn’t leave much room for anyone else.