Enabling 3D Graphics Processing for Portable Multimedia Devices Using NEC Electronics’ Lower Power Technology

KAWASAKI, Japan & DUESSELDORF, Germany & SANTA CLARA, Calif. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — February 9, 2010 — NEC Electronics (TSE:6723) today announced the availability of new systems-on-chip (SoCs) in the EMMA Mobile™ series. EMMA Mobile/EV is capable of processing high-definition (HD) content and 3D graphics with very low power consumption. The new EMMA Mobile/EV SoCs, optimized for the portable device market including portable multimedia players and mobile tablets, integrate ARM’s high-end Cortex™-A9 CPU core and a high-performance HD-capable audio-visual (A/V) engine for decoding a multitude of digital video and audio formats. Two versions of the device are available: EMMA Mobile/EV1 with one embedded Cortex-A9 CPU core and EMMA Mobile/EV2 with two embedded Cortex-A9 CPU cores.

According to Techno Systems Research 2009, the global market for portable multimedia devices has grown to 250 million units in 2010 and is expected to increase continuously as evidenced by the variety of portable devices recently released to the market. In addition, embedded systems are becoming multi-functional with high performance, and the mobile market is expected to evolve into a market of multimedia data processors with higher performance.

As part of its core business, NEC Electronics has been actively expanding its portable device lineup. In November 2008, the company introduced the EMMA Mobile 1 SoC as part of its well-received mobile multimedia processor product line. The company added to the lineup of its EMMA Mobile 1 series with the EMMA Mobile 1-D product, and also expanded collaboration with Wind River and developed a Linux-based Software Development Kit (SDK) for the market of portable devices.

The new EMMA Mobile/EV SoCs offer the following features:

(1) Capable of HD format decoding in various formats

Through a dedicated A/V engine, EMMA Mobile/EV can decode H.264, MPEG2, MPEG4, VC-1 content up to full-HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) on portable devices.

(2) Incorporates built-in advanced interface with 3D graphics engine

The EMMA Mobile/EV2 chip integrates a high-performance POWERVR™ SGX™ 3D graphics core from Imagination Technologies Ltd., realizing 3D processing at 14.7 megapolygons per second and pixel-filtrate performance of 500 megapixels per second sustained under realistic operating conditions. This feature brings advanced effects that enable the creation of more realistic and compelling images.

(3) Reduced power consumption when playing back multimedia data

The new products incorporate various technologies such as automatic clock control, on-chip power switch and quick recovery (Note 1). Using those features, EMMA Mobile/EV reduces power consumption by up to 30 percent compared to EMMA Mobile 1, thereby contributing to longer battery life.

(4) Supports mobile DDR and DDR2 memory

The new products support mobile DDR and DDR2 as the main memory. System designers can choose either mobile DDR with low power consumption, or apply DDR2 to develop non-portable devices at low cost.

NEC Electronics considers EMMA Mobile/EV as a strategic product in the field of portable audio-visual devices and plans to market it actively.

Pricing and Availability

Samples of the new EMMA Mobile/EV chips are scheduled to be available in July 2010 priced at US$50 per unit. Mass production is scheduled for December 2010 and expected to reach one million units per month by 2011. More information about NEC Electronics' EMMA Mobile series can be found at http://www.necel.com/mobile/en/emma_mobile/index.html. (Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice.)

Exhibition at MWC

NEC Electronics plans to exhibit EMMA Mobile EV chips in NEC’s booth (Hall 8, Stand 8A125) at the Mobile World Congress 2010 (MWC 2010) to be held in Barcelona, Spain, from February 15 to 18.

(Note 1)

• Automatic clock control: Technology that supplies the most suitable frequency clock to only the operating blocks.
• On-chip power switch technology: Technology that divides several power blocks in a chip and controls the power supply by a control switch.
• Quick recovery technology: Technology that enables speedy, continuous processing by restoring the pre-powered-off condition.

About NEC Electronics Corporation

NEC Electronics Corporation (TSE: 6723) specializes in semiconductor products encompassing advanced technology solutions for the high-end computing and broadband networking markets; system solutions for the mobile handset, PC peripheral, automotive and digital consumer markets; and multi-market solutions for a wide range of customer applications. NEC Electronics Corporation has subsidiaries worldwide including NEC Electronics America, Inc. ( www.am.necel.com ) and NEC Electronics (Europe) GmbH ( www.eu.necel.com ). More information about NEC Electronics worldwide can be found at www.necel.com .