Imagination announces META AXD audio processor IP platform

META AXD takes a new approach, applying multi-threaded processing to deliver industry leading performance in a shared memory, high-latency SoC environment. All audio processing in the SoC is off-loaded to the META AXD core, freeing valuable host processor resources for improving the user experience and delivering value-added applications. The AXD family, which includes AXD230 and AXD270, supports the latest audio standards, including MP3, HE AAC, WMA and surround sound up to 7.1.

Says Tony King-Smith, VP marketing, Imagination: Our multimedia credentials mean that we understand audio is not an island – it needs to be considered alongside all the other requirements in a multimedia SoC, including graphics and video. We also understand that for SoC to be competitive, off-loading key processing-intensive functions such as audio from the CPU very efficiently and at the highest possible level of abstraction is crucial if the system is to be highly responsive in all conditions. META AXD is not just a next generation audio solution handling the most complex audio codecs and post-processing; it is also unique in utilizing multi-threading to deliver that performance under all operating conditions.

A single META AXD core can support a wide range of audio codecs and post-processing effects, including all Blu-ray audio processing requirements when implemented in a suitable process such as 65LP. Due to AXD's unique hardware multi-threaded architecture, together with Imagination's long experience in high performance, low power consumption SOC solutions, META AXD also enables the elimination of dedicated on-chip memories to further reduce solution silicon area and cost.

META AXD is delivered with codec and post-processing application-specific firmware packs which are managed entirely by the host driver software, minimizing system design and implementation complexity.

The META AXD family supports the following codecs at launch:

* Musicam, MP3, HE-AAC v2 (including DAB+ transform), Real (Cook), WMA9, Ogg Vorbis, and FLAC stereo decoders
* AAC, HE-AAC v2, MPEG-2 BC, Dolby Digital, DTS, and Dolby Digital Plus multi-channel decoders
* Dolby Pro-Logic II post-processing plus stereo widening, EQ, re-sampler, reverb

Further HD codecs and post processing effects are under development and Imagination expects to announce ongoing additions to the family's range of supported codecs.

Firmware packs are organized to target specific market segments, covering application areas such as Connected & Mobile products (Internet Radio, PMPs), Set Top Boxes, HDTVs, DVD/Blu-ray, and Home Theatre.