Kontron And XGI Introduce UGM, The First Graphics Card Standard For Embedded Systems

TI Delivers First 720P HD Video Playback And 3D Graphics For Mobile Phones

Seagate To Deliver Wireless Storage Solution For Symbian Smartphones

Kontron And XGI Introduce UGM, The First Graphics Card Standard For Embedded Systems

At Embedded World, Kontron and XGI introduced for the first time the “Universal Graphics Module” standard for long-term available and custom scalable high-end PEG graphics. The new UGM standard defines an 84 x 95 mm universal graphics-on-module and supplies monitors with all current and future in demand graphics card signals.

Unlike the conventional graphics card placement at a 90 degree angle, the UGM card is plugged in parallel to the baseboard to save space, thus allowing extremely flat and custom-scalable designs. Even more important for users is the long-term availability of the UGMs of at least three to five years as well as the especially simple and quick implementation of the graphics functions in customized designs, including the necessary time-consuming drivers. The first UGM modules will be available from Kontron in the first half of 2007. The specification of the new standard will be disclosed to third-party providers in the Q1 2007.

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Via the 220 pins of the connector, which is also used for COM Express / ETXexpress Computer-On-Modules, UGM cards receive PCI-Express signals, over 1, 4, 8, or 16 lanes (PEG), and video signals, process them – including video capture functions and up to 512 MB DRAM – and then deliver the converted signals back to the baseboard, also via the connector. For playback sources, the UGM 1.0 specification currently supports Dual LVDS, Dual DVI, and Dual VGA.

On the baseboard itself, the developer can decide which signal combinations ultimately will be made available to the external connector, such as sound, USB, and DVI for HDMI. This reduces the effort for the graphics layout and driver development to the allocation of the appropriate circuits, the plug, and any peripheral components necessary for additional features, such as HDCP copy protection. The graphics processing core is already finished and all necessary drivers are already implemented.

This design also completely avoids cables. Thus, UGM differs from current standard graphics cards, in which today interfaces are led out via breakout cables, because the narrow expansion card slot bracket does not offer enough room for external interfaces. Furthermore, with a 5V DC power supply, up to 45 W thermal design power is allowed in accordance with the UGM specification.

Source: XGI

TI Delivers First 720P HD Video Playback And 3D Graphics For Mobile Phones

At a press conference at 3GSM World Congress, Texas Instruments Incorporated demonstrated the industry's first application processor to playback 720p high-definition video for high-end mobile phones. The OMAP3430 solution is also the first application processor to integrate the newly-defined OpenGL ES 2.0 graphic standard, bringing "life-like" 3D graphics to the handset and creating a mobile gaming experience comparable to today's handheld gaming devices. In addition, TI introduced two new members of the scalable OMAP 3 processor family that will help handset manufacturers provide smartphones with robust multimedia functionality at a lower cost.

Building on the foundation created with the OMAP3430 processor, TI is introducing two new OMAP 3 solutions, adding the OMAP3410 and OMAP3420 processors. The OMAP 3 product family also remains fully software-compatible with the OMAP2430, simplifying the migration path for development of future handsets.

With support for up to 720p HD-video playback (1280x720 pixels), the OMAP3430 application processor gives consumers direct access to personal video content stored in high-definition formats. Users can transfer and view HD-video content on the mobile handset or connect the handset to a projector or large screen TV.

The OMAP3430 processor embeds Imagination Technologies' PowerVR SGX graphics core, making it the first applications processor to support Open GL ES 2.0 and OpenVG, providing superior graphics performance and advanced user interface capabilities. OpenVG provides hardware acceleration of 2D scalable vector graphics for creation of advanced, immersive user interfaces and flash-style animations. TI also is enabling sophisticated and dynamic images in the mobile gaming environment with "smart pixel" technology offered via OpenGL ES 2.0. This technology allows each pixel in an image to be programmed individually, giving game developers the power to create rich effects with cinematic realism.

The OMAP3430 processor embeds the ARM Cortex-A8 processor to deliver quick response times and the performance levels necessary to accommodate the growing complexity of mobile games, sustaining a fast-paced, graphics-intensive gaming experience in real-time.

OMAP3410 and OMAP3420 processors will sample by the end of 2007. OMAP3430 processor samples are available today, with the first handsets using the OMAP 3 platform expected to be in the market in early 2008.

Source: Texas Instruments Incorporated

Seagate To Deliver Wireless Storage Solution For Symbian Smartphones

Seagate Technology today announced it has joined the Symbian Platinum Program. As a Platinum Partner, Seagate will support the growing Symbian smartphone market with its new DAVE technology platform, ensuring seamless interoperability with devices running S60 3rd Edition and UIQ 3 user interfaces. The DAVE platform delivers 10-20 GB of hard drive wireless storage in an accessory smaller than many slim-line mobile phones.

Built on a set of open application programming interfaces (APIs), the DAVE platform gives Symbian software developers the opportunity to create new applications utilizing expansive storage capacity and performance offered by Seagate’s mobile micro-hard disc technology.

Source: Seagate Technology

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