Fujitsu Releases The World's First MPEG-2 Decoder With Embedded SDRAM

18-May-00

Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe revealed its brand new MPEG-2 decoder with embedded SDRAM offering the highest level of integration on the market. The device was developed at the Multimedia Development Centre located in Frankfurt, Germany, and has full European support. The MB87P2030 device is the world's first offering 20MB of embedded SDRAM, making for greater flexibility. In addition, there are also two 32-bit RISC processors on chip, each running at 108MHz, offering outstanding system performance. The new MPEG-2 device, designed in 0.25 micron technology, features two independent transport stream inputs. By separating the data flow for MPEG data and the graphics system, it is possible to achieve outstanding graphic performance and features like up to eight true-color graphic layers without sacrificing MPEG decoding bandwidth. Its high integration allows set-top box designs with less external components, in actual fact a basic system could run without external memory. Supporting these key features, a high level of flexibility is offered by the device, in addition to a 32-bit memory interface, a direct IDE interface and 128MB of address space. The chip supports all standard memory technologies available on the market as well as many kinds of integrated peripheral interfaces (USB, RS232, Smart Card, high speed data port, etc.). Flexible video resizing (1/8 to 2) is also supported, allowing the picture to be re-scaled. An on-chip dual PAL/NTSC encoder allows video outputs with and without on-screen display (OSD). This feature enables OSD data on the TV screen while recording of a program can be done simultaneously without disturbing OSD data. This innovative device is primarily aimed at manufacturers of set-top boxes and digital TV, as well as car entertainment and navigation systems. It is now possible to target the entire market with this one device, as the new decoder will help to bring the overall cost of a system down for the free-to-air market, while in the high end market the device offers the perfect solution due to its flexibility. ""As a market leader in multimedia devices, Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe has developed a decoder which provides outstanding performance for the manufacturers of a wide range of multimedia products. Fujitsu's leadership in embedded DRAM CMOS technology enables the European Multimedia Development Centre to release this advanced product early to the market"" said Johannes Richter, Manager Business Unit Multimedia. The second in a projected family of MPEG-2 decoders developed in the European Multimedia Development Centre, the MB87P2030 complements, rather than replaces, the existing MPEG device, and is able to offer more advanced options than those of its predecessor. Further generations of devices are planned to incorporate more interfaces and embedded memory. Both hardware and software support is available locally. The software structure for MPEG designs offers customers great flexibility and choice, as the structure of the new device is highly modular and can be used without an operating system, for free-to-air set-top boxes or TV's; or with an operating system, for situations featuring many simultaneous real-time processes, such as applications involving hard disks and networking. The MPEG-2 device is housed in a 208-pin cost efficient Quad Flat Pack package. Engineering samples are expected by the end of third quarter 2000, and volume production quantities will be available in first quarter 2001. Further information on Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe's products is available at http://www.fujitsu-fme.com. Source: Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe

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