ARM-based SoC targets low-cost phones

jacky002

Beijing-based Vimicro has announced an ARM-based system-on-chip (SoC) intended for low-cost Linux-based smartphones. Built on a 0.13 micron process, the VC0818 offers a variety of multimedia features, supports three-megapixel camera sensors, and is available with a complete development platform, Vimicro says.



& k8 H3 @9 Q8 H# P* k" @9 ~( z4 XThe VCO818, also known as the Vinno-III, is based on an ARM926EJ core running at up to 216MHz. Its 0.13-micron process, "advanced design flow," and "multi-power architecture" make its power consumption low, according to Vimicro.


A block diagram of the Vinno-III

. d3 M/ w0 [/ Y3 U: C+ a# i, }% i/ qTouted multimedia features include hardware decoding of VGA-resolution MPEG-4 video at 30 frames per second, and support for 3GP-format video encoding and TV output.

Features and specifications listed by Vimicro for the Vinno-III include:
3 X. F- E% l8 t6 y3 }2 @2 Y
. _. j9 G8 w! R9 `# \5 P    * ARM928EJ core running at up to 216MHz
    * 0.13-micron process construction
    * High-quality stereo DAC (90dB S/N ratio) and ADC; headphone power amp
5 B6 w: X# s/ M  C" s4 d    * MPEG-4 decoding, up to 30fps @ VGA resolution
% h: t! V  g) G1 h9 g/ C0 S; M    * 3GP recording and playback
, Q- z5 B/ x: X/ k& [7 n& _    * MP3/WMA/AAC/aacPlus audio decoding
    * AMR-NB voice codec with bitrate control
' k8 f  t2 b3 S) O' {    * SD/MMC/NAND flash storage interface
% j* E% T2 C! m) [7 k    * USB 2.0
+ Q5 v  q* h$ K4 U# X" x& E    * TV out
, M& R3 Y, V: e  r! x% U# I/ ~( Z
  @* R1 _6 \: N$ W& z, i( Z; c: Q
3 w) P- V& r. W. c7 ~Part of the Vinno-Win development board, with Vinno-III SoC

# L! A$ |, h. v* Z7 B, H9 K
The Vinno-III is also available integrated into Vinno-Linux and Vinno-Win development boards (pictured above). Although only brief details of the boards were provided, they include slots for RAM and flash memory, plus interfaces that support a QVGA touchscreen, 3-megapixel camera, and USB connectivity. Vinno-Linux supports MontaVista Linux, and Vinno-Win supports Windows Mobile, according to Vimicro.

1 ^# T) s9 a7 Z6 ~' hVimicro did not provide pricing or availability information for the Vinno-III products.

jacky002

看了中星微電子的網站 http://www.vimicro.com/ 覺得內地的IC設計公司的技術能力真的不差，
不論產品的開發與整合能力有逐漸趕上台灣的趨勢，雖然中星微電子重點扶植的公司之一，
但其擴散效應會是將台灣的不具競爭優勢的IC design house的警惕，優勢即將不再要好好加把勁，
加油!