Imagination’s Ensigma Series4 universal communications IP cores shipping now to multiple licensees

The new Series4 family of RPUs introduces a highly efficient and high-bandwidth architecture, enabling support for the most demanding communications standards such as 802.11ac 2x2 MIMO and DVB-T2 in an optimal and low-power implementation. By adding new highly-specialised data processors combined with a significantly upgraded internal data fabric, the latest Series4 RPUs deliver unprecedented performance and throughput ideal for next generation applications from connected home multimedia to advanced continuous data roaming.

The Ensigma Series4 family of RPUs provides a unique universal and highly scalable solution for integrating global connectivity and broadcast communications capabilities into SoCs. By combining the latest software programmable radio techniques with an advanced 4th generation multi-processor architecture, a wide range of communications standards are fully supported, including:

·All 802.11 based Wi-Fi standards up to full 802.11ac 2x2 MIMO and 802.11n with 4x4 MIMO as well as Bluetooth
·All major broadcast TV receiver standards
·All major digital and FM broadcast radio standards

The flexible hardware architecture of Ensigma Series4 RPUs means that the engine can be easily scaled to address everything from the smallest most cost-sensitive embedded connected processors to the most advanced connected smart TVs or tablets targeting global markets. For optimal deployment, the Series4 family of Ensigma RPUs comes in four ranges:

·Ensigma C4xxx cores support connectivity standards
·Ensigma T4xxx cores support TV standards
·Ensigma R4xxx cores support broadcast radio standards
·Ensigma U4xxx cores are universal variants supporting all standards

By supporting multiple standards on a single engine, Ensigma Series4 RPUs solve the ever-growing challenge of proliferating broadcast and/or connectivity standards. They also address the issue of ‘future-proof’ integration of all communications requirements onto the latest SoCs, while achieving the lowest system cost, highest performance and lowest power consumption under all operating conditions. A high level of programmability means the same SoC can be used across multiple markets and product generations with only minimal changes.

Tony King-Smith, EVP marketing, Imagination, says: “More and more of our licensees, from Tier 1 to specialist product suppliers, are showing intense interest in our latest unique Ensigma Series4 RPUs across a range of markets, as they see the benefits of integrating highly efficient and advanced communications processing on-chip. We have stated for several years that ultimately RPUs will go on-chip just as GPUs have done, and now we’re see this trend being acknowledged by our partners across a broadening range of markets. Given the increasingly advanced and complex communications requirements of consumer, industrial and automotive products, the Ensigma RPU is a unique solution ideally suited today’s highly competitive markets.