Micronas to use MIPS32 24K cores in STBs, DTVs

Micronas has revealed plans to use MIPS Technologies Inc.'s MIPS32 24K family of processor cores. Specifically, Micronas will utilize the MIPS32 4KEc and new 24kc and 24kf cores in both single- and multi-core chips for high-end set-top boxes (stbs) and digital TVs (DTVs).

One of the primary reasons Micronas chose the 24K core family is its standard, open core protocol (OCP) interconnect structure, which accelerates time-to-market by enabling easy reuse of standard SOC IP. Designers who choose to utilize OCP can easily integrate memory controllers, bus interconnects and other standardized peripherals through common on-chip interfaces.

MIPS claims the 24K family of processor cores offer frequency of 32bit synthesizable core, giving SOC designers the headroom to implement more features and future upgrades with software flexibility, rather than rigid hardware. In addition, MIPS cores offer designers the broadest industry support of OS, middleware, algorithms and tools to meet the challenges of the STB and DTV development environment.

"In the set-top box and DTV markets, ever-changing standards, better security features, and more functionality and services demand the exceptional performance, configurability and support that come with MIPS cores. With the 24K and 4KEc cores, Micronas will offer its customers highly competitive, cost-effective solutions," said Dirk Wieberneit, VP product development for the consumer division of Micronas.