Motorola Multimedia Processor Enables Next
Wave in Communications
DevicesThe i.MX21 Applications
Processor Combines Sophisticated Multimedia Video, Display, Connectivity and
Security Features for Mobile
ConsumersAUSTIN, Texas - September 16,
2003 - Consumers want more from their mobile phones and personal digital
assistants (PDAs) than connectivity and address books. They want superior mobile
multimedia experiences combined with long battery life. Additionally, crystal
clear video quality, smart liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and the peace-of-mind
that information is being stored and securely delivered to its intended
destination will be "must-have" features in future handheld devices. Motorola
Inc.'s (NYSE:MOT) Semiconductor Products Sector is creating this future and in
its tradition of wireless leadership, is bringing these benefits to market today
with its advanced i.MX21 applications processor.
The most recent addition to Motorola's i.MX
family of applications processors based on the ARM926EJ-S™ core, the
i.MX21 makes the communications devices of tomorrow, including the videophone, a
reality today. i.MX21 continues to build on the company's best-selling family
of applications processors, of which more than 50 million have shipped to-date.
The i.MX21 not only enables smart LCD displays and exceptional video - including
multitasking capabilities to simultaneously watch a video while sending an email
- it also delivers longer usage times, plug-and-play connectivity with Universal
Serial Bus On-The-Go (USBOTG) as well as enhanced security technology for online
banking and payments, and other secure transactions.
"Our continued commitment to enabling the most
advanced mobile devices on the market is evident in our cutting edge i.MX21,"
said Franz Fink, vice president and general manager of Motorola's Wireless and
Mobile Systems Group. "Our advances in video, security and connectivity
technologies allow us to deliver a breakthrough solution that offers consumers
the features of the future without compromising the battery life or performance
of their mobile devices."
The i.MX21 offers
designers and consumers the latest features and capabilities they demand,
without compromising on any of the standard mobile device functionality.
Enhanced
VideoOptimized for mobility, consumers can
watch exceptional quality videos for a longer time than ever before. Designed
with the multi-tasking person in mind, the i.MX21 helps ensure that the mobile
device can run multiple applications simultaneously, without affecting
performance. For example, a user can watch a video and send an email to a
colleague commenting on the video without interrupting video in play. Additional
video features include:
- Support for
real-time MPEG4 and H.263 encoding and decoding of images up to CIF or QVGA at
30 frames per second which is ideal quality for video
conferencing;
- Ability to support Windows
Media™ Player and other industry-leading
players;
- Pre-processing for color space
conversion and image re-sizing for viewfinder display;
- Post-processing for de-block, de-ring,
image re-size and color space conversion to create a sharper, clearer image
regardless of format.
Smart LCD
DisplaysThe i.MX21 enables smart LCD displays
which save battery life and help eliminate the need for users to constantly
recharge their devices. A traditional or "dumb" LCD does not have memory or a
controller integrated, which requires a separate controller and memory for
buffering the image. This, in turn, means that the "dumb" display must be
constantly refreshed, as it cannot identify if an image has changed or not -
eating away at performance and battery life. By enabling a smart LCD display
with its own controller and memory integrated, the display can analyze when and
if an image has changed - only refreshing when the image changes and ultimately
saving battery life.
Enhanced
SecurityOptimized for secure mobile
communications and transactions, the i.MX21 addresses consumers' concerns about
M-commerce; carriers' concerns about unauthorized software, configuration
protection and theft of services; as well as content providers' concerns
regarding digital rights management. The i.MX21 includes a security framework
comprising both hardware and software elements that enable the fundamental
cryptographic operations required for a wide range of security services and
applications. Specific security system elements enabled in the i.MX21 include
support for trusted computing, secure internal and encrypted data storage, a
hash accelerator and memory management. These cryptographic operations employed
in the i.MX21 lay the foundation that supports a complete spectrum of security
services and applications ranging from low value transactions, the protection of
embedded technology and other assets, and secure high value transactions
required by enterprises worldwide.
Smart
SpeedThe smart power management of the i.MX21
enables wireless device users to benefit from high performance functionality
with extended run times. Three power modes in the i.MX21 - run, doze and stop -
and an advanced power management architecture including effective system clock
distribution, low current leakage control, and frequency change on the fly, let
users focus on what's important, rather than recharging their devices.
USB
On-The-GoConsumers are able to connect their
mobile devices directly to peripherals, such as printers, keyboards or mice,
without having to connect to a PC environment. This provides ease of
connectivity while consumers are on the go, and also offers a less expensive
alternative to an external module through a dedicated OTG port for an external
OTG transceiver.
Exceptional
GraphicsUsers are offered a great experience
watching video and running graphics-intensive applications such as 3-D gaming.
The i.MX21 elevates overall systems performance through a bus master interface
which reduces the overhead to external multi-media coprocessors such as those
from ATI Technology, Inc. Advanced graphics software standard APIs such as
Mobile Java™ 3D and OpenGL-ES as well as 3-D software engines such as
Superscape®, HI Corp., Fathammer™ can also be
supported.
"The best performing mobile devices
have the ability to deliver to consumers a rich combination of multimedia and
handheld computing that do not adversely affect battery life. Mobile device
designers need applications processors with the right mix of performance, power
efficiency, flexibility and reliability," said Max Baron, principal analyst with
In-Stat/MDR. "With an ARM core that can be clocked at 400MHz, multimedia
acceleration, security, and scalable voltage-frequency power management, the new
i.MX21 will attract the attention of OEM
designers."
Pricing and
AvailabilityThe i.MX21 is sampling to alpha
customers today with general availability expected in the first quarter of 2004.
Production pricing is projected to be a suggested retail price of less than $20
(USD) in 10,000 piece quantities.
Motorola's
i.MX family of processors offers designers a comprehensive platform solution.
i.MX processors feature a comprehensive suite of software including
Microsoft® Windows® CE, Palm OS®, Symbian OS™ and Linux
operating systems, and reference designs designed to greatly accelerate the
creation of next-generation mobile communication products. As part of Motorola's
Innovative Convergence™ portfolio of platforms, the i.MX family is also at
the heart of the i.Smart smartphone reference design - a fully integrated
solution for smart handheld devices. Engineered to allow manufacturers to
develop cost-effective wireless-enabled smart handhelds with a full range of
capabilities, such as digital image capture, file sharing, wireless
connectivity, e-commerce using smartcards, multimedia entertainment and more -
i.MX offers a low component count, long battery life, and exceptional
performance for additional applications and features. For more information, go
to
www.motorola.com/imxThe
i.MX family is supported by the iAlliance program which allows designers to
promote products based on the ARM core technology, leveraging many Motorola
resources including the opportunity to work with Motorola on cross-promotional
activities. For more information, go to
www.motorola.com/ialliance
Documentationi.MX21
Product Information Page:
http://e-www.motorola.com/webapp/sps/site/overview.jsp?nodeId=03GGqrsBSlL0GT4975Photo
Available
http://www.motorola.com/mediacenter/graphics/detail/0,1101,865,00.htmli.MX21
Advertisement:
http://e-www.motorola.com/files/wireless_comm/doc/brochure/IMX21_AD.pdfi.MX21
Brochure:
http://e-www.motorola.com/files/wireless_comm/doc/brochure/BRIMX21.pdfi.MX21
Fact
Sheet:
http://e-www.motorola.com/files/32bit/doc/fact_sheet/IMX21FS.pdfi.MX21
Product Brief:
http://e-www.motorola.com/files/32bit/doc/prod_brief/MC9328MX21P.pdf50
Millionth Application Processor Milestone:
http://www.motorola.com/mediacenter/news/detail/0,,3248_2672_23,00.htmli.MX
Family Video Encode/Decode White Paper:
http://e-www.motorola.com/files/32bit/doc/white_paper/IMXHANTROWP.pdfAbout
Motorola's Semiconductor Products SectorAs the
world's #1 producer of embedded processors, Motorola's Semiconductor Products
Sector creates DigitalDNA™ system-on-chip solutions for a connected world.
Our strong focus on wireless communications and networking enables customers to
develop smarter, simpler, safer and synchronized products for the person, work
team, home and automobile. Motorola's worldwide semiconductor sales were $5.0
billion (USD) in 2002. For more information please visit
www.motorola.com/semiconductors.
About
Motorola, Inc. Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT) is a
global leader in providing integrated communications and embedded electronic
solutions. Sales in 2002 were $27.3 billion. Motorola is a global corporate
citizen dedicated to ethical business practices and pioneering important
technologies that make things smarter and life better, honored traditions that
began when the company was founded 75 years ago this year. For more
information, please visit:
www.motorola.com.
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Media
Contacts:North
America
Andrea
Crocker
Motorola
(512)
895-7714
andrea.crocker@motorola.comEurope,
Middle East and Africa
Regina
Cirmonova
Motorola
+41
22 7991
258
regina.cirmonova@motorola.comAsia
Pacific
Gloria
Shiu
Motorola
+85 22
666
8237
gloria.shiu@motorola.comJapan
Koichi
Yoshimura
Motorola
+81
3 3280
8672
rty490@email.sps.mot.comMOTOROLA
and the Stylized M Logo are registered in the US Patent & Trademark Office.
All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners.
ARM is the registered trademark of ARM Limited. ARM926EJ-S is the trademark of
ARM Limited. Java and all other Java-based marks are trademarks or registered
trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. ©
Motorola, Inc. 2003.
