Philips Semiconductors has developed an innovative solution to address the issue of digital convergence: Nexperia chips. The Nexperia family is a unique group of semiconductor products designed to help manufacturers of next-generation multimedia devices develop new products, meet changing consumer demands and reduce time-to-market.
This 'system-on-a-chip' is a platform of programmable ICs for multimedia applications that the company says offers the 'next experience' in streaming media. Highly integrated, Nexperia's major benefit is that its chips are not only cutting-edge in technological terms, but also flexible and programmable, and designed around the user's future needs. New software solutions can easily be created and downloaded onto the chips without the need for any physical changes, says Philips.
The Nexperia solutions address two application domains, each presenting its own challenges and requiring tailored solutions:
* Nexperia Home Solutions are increasingly found in living-room consumer electronics such as DVD recorders, LCD and digital TVs. According to Philips, Nexperia products for applications in the home can help manufacturers innovate embedded multimedia features and next-generation, connected multimedia devices such as connected TVs, set top boxes (STB) and IP STB, digital media adapters, home media servers and PC applications. Using a consistent design methodology, the products deliver flexible, core feature sets to targeted multimedia applications, it says. Time-to-market is also reduced and it allows for future-proofed end products.
* Nexperia Mobile Solutions combine Philips' expertise in system integration, mobile technology design, low power consumption, and advanced multimedia. The Mobile Solutions help bring cellular handsets to the next level, says Philips, moving from simple voice and data exchanges to more sophisticated options such as mobile TV, gaming, MP3 audio, MPEG4 video, digital imaging and GPS location-based services.
Nexperia Mobile has already been adopted by a number of leading handset manufacturers around the world. In 2004, TCL and Alcatel Mobile Phones selected the Philips Nexperia Cellular System Solution to deploy highly reliable, cost-effective EDGE (enhanced data for GSM evolution)-enabled mobile phones. As the mobile multimedia market grows, mobile operators around the world are considering EDGE implementation. EDGE enables high-speed wireless data applications such as realtime audio and video streaming, digital photo imaging, MP3 music capabilities, MPEG4 video playback and interactive games and is expected to account for close to half the GSM handsets produced worldwide by 2007.
As broadband, wireless and digital media technologies grow in availability and functionality, Philips wants to accelerate consumers' access to the rich content and services promised by these technologies. The company says that the Nexperia family of semiconductor solutions, with its plug and play capability and the flexibility to be adapted and upgraded using dedicated software, can deliver this.
For more information contact Philips SA, +27 (0)11 741 6000.
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