Gigabit modem for mm-wave communication receives validation

HYDRA is based on a patented architecture which combines software defined parallel processing functions that are controlled using a highly efficient MIPS microAptiv CPU with hardware accelerators for fixed communication functions.  This allows customers to adapt and add value to wireless modem applications with unique algorithms for channel equalisation, modulation or beamforming - all programmable through the robust software tools provided by Imagination Technologies for its MIPS CPUs.

Since late 2014 the lead HYDRA System on Chip implementation has been integrated with a 60GHz phased array radio front-end to create Blu Wireless’s Lightning evaluation and development platform.

Henry Nurser, CEO, Blu Wireless Technology, said: “The successful validation and demonstration of our HYDRA Gigabit System IP represents a major milestone in Blu Wireless’s technology roadmap.  Customers looking to license HYDRA for their own mm-wave products can now be confident in going to market with this class leading technology. We are also excited to be collaborating closely with Imagination’s engineering teams to get the maximum performance and efficiency from the multiple MIPS CPUs in our design.”

“We congratulate Blu Wireless on the excellent progress they’ve made with their innovative HYDRA IP implementation on 40nm,” added Tony King-Smith, Executive Vice President of Marketing, Imagination Technologies. “We’re impressed with the performance they have achieved, thanks in part to MIPS’ high-performance, power-efficient architecture for multi-core embedded designs, and our comprehensive MIPS tools. We look forward to our continued close collaboration with Blu Wireless and their customers as they bring their leading edge family of Gigabit capable basebands to the market. ”

Blu Wireless can either license the HYDRA System IP or provide a full turnkey SoC product design for those customers requiring this service, and lightning evaluation platforms are available now.

Blu Wireless will be demonstrating the HYDRA IP at Mobile World Congress from the 2^nd to 5^th March at the Imagination Technologies Booth in Hall 6 - 6E30.