BSQUARE to Offer Windows Mobile, CE Board Support Package for TI OMAP

BSQUARE (Nasdaq:BSQR), a leading provider of mobile solutions to the global embedded community and an OMAP(TM) Technology Center (OTC), announced that it has signed an agreement with Texas Instruments under which BSQUARE will license versions of TI's Windows Mobile® and Windows® Embedded CE Board Support Package system-level software for the TI OMAP243x and TI OMAP34xx processors. Under this agreement, BSQUARE will customize and resell the system software to OEMs approved by TI, as well as provide system integration services. The new licensing agreement with TI applies to BSQUARE's development centers in both North America and Taiwan.

"TI's OMAP processors are high-performance, power-efficient solutions for companies building next-generation multimedia-enhanced mobile and embedded devices," said Raj Khera, Vice-President of Products, BSQUARE. "With this new licensing agreement, we expect to be able to assist customers while expanding our service and system software products business."

"By working with BSQUARE, we are providing global device OEMs another option to get their OMAP platform-based devices to market faster at lower cost and with high quality," said Markus Tremmel, worldwide wireless ecosystem manager, Texas Instruments. "BSQUARE's expertise in Windows Mobile and Windows Embedded CE operating system software development and testing will benefit OEMs selected by TI for this program."

About BSQUARE
BSQUARE is a software solution provider to the global embedded device community. Committed to delivering quality, lowering project risk and time to market, our teams collaborate with smart device makers at any stage in their device development. BSQUARE is a member of TI's OMAP(TM) Developer Network, a group of leading software developers porting advanced applications to TI's high performance, power-efficient OMAP processors.

BSQUARE is a registered trademark of BSQUARE Corporation. OMAP is a trademark of Texas Instruments.

OMAP2430 Processor for Multimedia and Wireless Mobile Applications - Texas Instruments

OMAP2430 is a Texas Instruments’ high-performance application processor targeted for multimedia and wireless mobilevideo conferencing, mobile TV, digital music, and mobile gaming. OMAP2430 is powered by TI’s OMAP 2 processing architecture and IVA 2 (TI’s imaging, video and audio accelerator). The processor provides the ultimate balance between multimedia performance, power, cost and flexibility. OMAP2430 processor also integrates a 330MHz ARM1136 RISC processor core; dedicated 2D/3D graphics accelerator, high-speed system interconnect, a host of peripherals, and camera, display and memory sub-systems.

TI OMAP2430 Processor Block Diagram

Key features of OMAP2430 processor:

• Advanced Imaging, Video and Audio Accelerator (IVA 2) boosts video performance in mobile phones by up to 4X and imaging performance by up to 1.5X
• Delivering a multimedia experience with consumer electronics quality to the handset
• Multi-engine parallel processing architecture for supporting complex usage scenarios
• Built-in M-Shield mobile security technology enables value-added services and terminal security
• Support for all major High Level Operating Systems (HLOS) aids applications development

OMAP2430 supports embedded operating systems, including Linux, Symbian and Windows Mobile. Embedded OS enable manufacturers and mobile operators to differentiate their products through:

• Friendly and powerful user interfaces, with support for a rich array of applications and services, and the ability to customize according to operators’ needs.
• Robust, flexible applications and services architecture.
• An extensive network of third-party developers.

OMAP2430 processor has a built-in M-Shield Security Technology, enabling operators to add value-added services for transaction security, content protection, secure network access and also terminal security functions.

M-Shield Mobile Security Technology
TI’s M-Shield Mobile Security Technology is a system-level security solution that intimately interleaves hardware and software technologies to provide the high level of security. M-Shield technology is the key security element of the widely used OMAP platform and OMAP-Vox. M-Shield provides the highest level of terminal and content security in the industry today, as well as setting the benchmark for the level of security needed to allow financial applications to happen.

OMAP2430’s multimedia features:

• Downloadable media playback and digital TV decode
• MPEG4, H.264, Window Media Video 9 (VC-1), RealVideo version 10 decode at VGA (640×480) 30 fps
• Motion video capture
  • MPEG4 encoding up to VGA 30 fps
• Still image capture
  • Above 5 Mpx, 1 second shot-to-shot delay
• 2D/3D gaming
  • Rasterization up to 1 million polygons per second
• Video teleconferencing
  • H.263, H.264 videoconferencing with simultaneous recording of VTC session up to CIF 30 fps

The OMAP2430 and TWL4030 combination boost system performance, maximize battery life and reduce board space.

TWL4030
The TWL4030 is audio and power manager to a host of OMAP processors. It is an integrated power management and audio codec device intended for use in cellular telephone designs which derive their power from batteries based on Lithium-Ion, Lithium-Ion Polymer or Cobalt-Nickel-Manganese chemistries. TWL4030 combines power management, DC/DC converters, audio and voice codec, amplifiers (audio), USB 2.0 transceiver, battery charger circuitry into a single chip. The TWL4030 includes stereo/mono audio support for speakers, headsets and earpiece, analog/digital microphone, analog and digital mixing and noise cancellation circuitry. The battery charger system supports for charging via USB, carkit, and AC adapter. TWL4030 also features battery presence and over voltage detection, and battery back-up management.

More info: TI OMAP2430 Processor

The TI OMAP 2420 - The Processor behind the Nokia N93

With the introduction of the N93, Nokia also introduced a new processor to their lineup. The N93 is currently the only handheld using this processor and it is doing it’s best to take advantage of it. The glorious VGA recording at 30fps is made possible by this new processor. It has also given it a 3D graphics accelerator. One thing that I have no way of testing is WLAN performance. The processor shows that it has support for AES and PKA encryption. See the image below, the encryption section is in the center.

The older 1710 processor does not have this feature. This leaves me to assume that it was handling the encryption via software. If the processor natively supports the encryption method then there may be a considerable speed increase. I STILL don’t have one of the new N or E series phones, so all I have to go by are the remarks of others, and what I have heard is that the WLAN speeds are not as high as they had hoped. Onward to the full specs of this amazing processor.

The OMAP2420 processor is a single-chip applications processor that supports all cellular standards, and complements any modem or chipset and any air interface. It is intended for high-volume wireless handset manufacturers and is not available through distributors.

The OMAP2420 includes the benefits of the OMAP 2 architecture’s parallel processing, giving users the ability to instantly run applications and operate multiple functions simultaneously without quality of service compromises. The OMAP2420 includes an integrated ARM1136 processor (330 MHz), a TI TMS320C55x™DSP (220 MHz), 2D/3D graphics accelerator, imaging and video accelerator, high-performance system interconnects and industry-standard peripherals.

Download the following documents for more information:

* OMAP2420 Product Bulletin (TI_omap2420.pdf, 210 KB)
2005 Download
* OMAP2420 Software Development Platform (TI_sdp_omap2420.pdf, 227 KB)
2005 Download

Multimedia enhancements made in the OMAP2420 include an added imaging and video accelerator for higher-resolution still capture applications, multi-megapixel cameras and full-motion video encode and decode with VGA resolution of 30 frames per second. An added TV video output supports connections to television displays for displaying images and video captured from the handset. 5-Mb internal SRAM also boost streaming media performance.

Access to the OMAP Developer Network also provides an extensive range of programs and media components that manufacturers can use for differentiating and delivering products to market fast.
Key Features:

* Dedicated 2D/3D graphics accelerator at 2 million polygons per second
* Added imaging and video accelerator enables high-resolution still image capture, larger screen sizes and higher video frame rates
* Supports high-end features including 4+ megapixel cameras, VGA-quality video, high-end interactive gaming functionality and analog/digital TV video output
* 5-Mb internal SRAM boosts streaming media performance
* Software compatibility with previous OMAPâ„¢ processors
* Parallel processing ensures no interruptions or degradation of service with simultaneously running applications
* Optimized power management companion chip, TWL92230
* 12 mm x 12 mm, 325-ball MicroStar BGAâ„¢, 0.5-mm pitch

© Copyright 1995-2006 Texas Instruments Incorporated. All rights reserved.

3GSM: TI Demos 720p From Mobile Phones!

Texas Instruments has demonstrated their first chip that enables high definition video playback at 720p... from mobile phones! Their new OMAP3430 processor supports OpenGL ES 2.0 3D acceleration and has the power to decode high definition content in mobile devices.

The question in your mind is probably going to be: what the hell do you do with 720p coming out from your mobile phone? Apart from the BWC philosophy ('because we can'), it's interesting to think where this could be headed. Think WiFi-powered phones reading 720p content from the network and showing it on a TV in the vicinity. Think HSDPA/HSUPA/4G networks for streaming HD from the web. Think HD DVB-H broadcasts.

Even though its not anywhere near that time yet, it's interesting.