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.

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The 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

Touted 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.
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Features and specifications listed by Vimicro for the Vinno-III include:
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8 e8 E! _. |2 `1 N    * ARM928EJ core running at up to 216MHz
, ^8 f/ F' j  D( z& @    * 0.13-micron process construction
$ a7 c5 |& m# I+ a* P5 x    * High-quality stereo DAC (90dB S/N ratio) and ADC; headphone power amp
    * MPEG-4 decoding, up to 30fps @ VGA resolution
    * 3GP recording and playback
. J- @- U& Z! T: u' y    * MP3/WMA/AAC/aacPlus audio decoding
  D, G5 h& n7 B    * AMR-NB voice codec with bitrate control
    * SD/MMC/NAND flash storage interface
    * USB 2.0
    * TV out


Part of the Vinno-Win development board, with Vinno-III SoC
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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.
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# p" n$ G% A% [8 }: BVimicro 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，
  a6 U+ y* {, r, [& k& B( E加油!