MOBILE WORLD CONGRESS, BARCELONA, Spain -- -- Imagination Technologies (IMG.L) is rolling out the first intellectual property (IP) core based on its innovative PowerVR Raptor imaging processor architecture which takes image processing to the next level for next generation applications. The high-performance, low-power, low-area PowerVR Series2 V2500 core offers a scalable and highly-configurable solution targeting a broad range of devices from cost-sensitive, mass-market feature phones to automotive to connected home security to premium smartphones and tablets.
The V2500 core joins the broad line of Imagination's PowerVR multimedia cores, including the new PowerVR Series6XT graphics processors and PowerVR Series5 video and still image encoders and decoders, to form a complete, integrated vision platform that saves power and bandwidth for today's camera applications, and can provide the basis for next-generation context-aware applications such as facial and gesture recognition, augmented reality and more.
Says Chris Longstaff, senior business development manager, Imagination: "The V2500 core is an extremely compelling imaging processor for use in a broad range of products that need a high performance, low power, compact solution. When the V2500 and other future Raptor cores are combined with our PowerVR graphics and video cores, the result is an optimized vision platform that can enable a new generation of devices.
This enables our customers to deliver the highest quality video at the lowest possible bitrate, fully exploiting the PowerVR platform for an outstanding video experience."
Integrated vision platform
The V2500 core is the first imaging processor IP core designed to operate as a cooperative part of a heterogeneous computing platform for advanced functions and next-generation applications. Close connections between the V2500 and other SoC resources can enable full support of 4K Ultra HD video and high pixel count photography in mobile devices and tablets.
Able to work with any video encoder, the V2500 is specially optimized for integration with Imagination's PowerVR Series5 and previous generation video encoders, featuring a dedicated encoder processing path, direct Zero Memory output to the encoder, and the ability to output image statistics and metadata for best-in-class encode quality and real-time bitrate control. This results in lower power, lower bandwidth, lower latency and higher performance -- ultimately leading to superior image quality for a given bitrate.
Inside the PowerVR V2500
Integrating image processing functionality onto the main SoC with the
V2500 core can enable:
-- High performance alongside cost and power savings
-- Increased flexibility in sensor choice
-- Higher performance through process advantages; no limits in
functionality due to process constraints
-- Enhanced functionality through access to main system memory
Multi-sensor support with fast context switching
The V2500 core provides the features and functionality needed for optimal integration of modern CMOS camera sensors, with full support for sensors from all major vendors. The V2500 core simultaneously supports multiple sensors with fast context switching, enabling stereo, multi-cam and vision array support for volumetric imaging -- all with a single imaging processor. Contexts are expandable to enable multiple stereo cameras. On a phone or tablet, this enables front and rear cameras to be routed through the single IP core, and encoded and displayed simultaneously.
Advanced processing pipelines
The advanced processing pipelines of the V2500 from CMOS sensor to RGB and YUV offer the highest quality images possible with minimal noise.
This includes comprehensive 1D and 2D image processing pipelines, image enhancement pipeline with a full local tonemapper for enhanced dynamic range, display processing pipeline and encoder processing pipeline.
With the V2500 core, the pixel depth of the pipeline can be configured to match the sensor, conserving power compared to DSPs with fixed datapath widths.
PowerVR E5010: low-power JPEG encoding companion core with Zero Memory encode
With the launch of the V2500 imaging processor, Imagination is also introducing the new PowerVR E5010 JPEG encoder, the lowest power JPEG encode solution available in the market. The E5010 core can be configured to reach performance in excess of 1Gpixel/second. This very low-area encoder is an ideal companion core for the V2500. Able to take direct input from the V2500, it enables encoding without the use of external memory. This minimizes latency and memory bandwidth while providing a high-speed solution that can allow for zero shutter lag applications.
Tools and Software Support
Imagination provides comprehensive software for image processing, lens and sensor tuning to enable customers to support a wide variety of industry-leading sensors and lenses such as those from Aptina, Omnivision and Sony. Also included are software drivers to support Linux, Android and other operating systems including real-time operating systems. The comprehensive software stack includes auto white balance, auto focus and auto exposure (3A) algorithms. Also included are several algorithms optimized for PowerVR Series6 GPUs including anti-shake, face detection and HDR (high dynamic range).
The PowerVR V2500 core is available for licensing now. Contact [email protected].
Website: http://imgtec.com