| Chinese SoCs run Linux |
Jun. 06, 2008
 Beijing-based Ingenic Seminconductor is shipping three MIPS-based SoCs (system on chips) that support Linux. The Jz4720, Jz4730, and Jz4740 target devices ranging from basic PMPs (personal media players) to smartphones, with "high performance and low power consumption," the company says.
The Jz47xx SoCs appear to have started sampling last Fall. However, they have become a topic of interest in the blogosphere more recently, since they started appearing in complete devices. Two recently released Linux-based laptops, the Bestlink Alpha 400 and the 3K RazorBook 400, both use the Ingenic processors, and sell for just $250 and $300, respectively.
The Jz47xx SoCs are built on a 0.18-micron process -- evidence that China remains a few generations behind in semiconductor fabrication technology. Like RMI's Alchemy SoCs, the Jz parts are based on the MIPSII architecture, dubbed "Xburst" by Ingenic. The cores have 16KB data and instruction caches, and the SoCs integrate on-chip LCD and audio controllers, together with a wide variety of interfaces.
A block diagram of Ingenic's Jz4720
(Click to enlarge)
Of the three SoCs, the 240MHz Jz4720 (block diagram above) and 360MHz Jz4740 (block diagram below) are the most architecturally similar. To the MIPSII core, they both add Ingenic's multimedia accelerator, which implements a SIMD (single instruction, multiple data) instruction set. The accelerator is said to provide MPEG-4 decoding at 25 frames per second, with CIF (352 x 288 pixels) resolution on the Jz4720 and VGA resolution on the JZ4740.
A block diagram of Ingenic's Jz4720
(Click to enlarge)
Features and specifications listed by Ingenic for the Jz4720 and Jz4740 include:- Static memory interface, with SRAM, ROM, burst ROM, and NOR flash
- NAND flash interface, with support for MLC and SLC NAND, as well as booting up from NAND flash devices
- Synchronous DRAM interface, supporting two-bank or four-bank SDRAM, auto-refresh and self-refresh functions, power-down, and page mode
- DMA controller, with six channels
- On-chip oscillator circuit for an 32768Hz clock and an 12MHz clock
- GPIO (90 ports on Jz4720, 124 on Jz4740)
- Interrupt controller, letting unmasked interrupts can wake up the chip in sleep or standby mode
- Timer and counter unit with PWM output
- Watchdog timer
- RTC (real time clock)
- LCD controller, with support for displays up to 800 x 600 pixels and up to 16M colors
- Embedded audio codec, with support for microphone input and headphone output
- MMC/SD/SDIO controller
- I2C bus interface
- Synchronous serial interface
- Two UARTS
- USB 1.1 host interface
- USB 2.0 device interface
- 4MP camera interface module (Jz4740 only)
A block diagram of Ingenic's Jz4730
(Click to enlarge)
Meanwhile, Ingenic's 336MHz Jz4730 (block diagram, above) is something of a hybrid. Like the Jz4740, it includes a 4MP camera interface. However, it does not include the multimedia accelerator and SIMD instruction set found on the other two SoCs. It also omits USB 2.0 but, in other respects, is the more "connected" device.
For example, features found on the Jz4730, but not on its sister chips, include:- Smart card controller
- 802.3-compliant Ethernet interface
- PC card interface, supporting dual PCMCIA or CompactFlash slots
- Eight DMA channels instead of six
The Ingenic Jz47xx processors are available now, as is a Linux board support package. A changelog on Ingenic's Linux page suggests the company maintains a 2.6.24.3 kernel for its SoCs, with drivers that include YAFFS2, UBI & UBIFS, power management, SLC/MLC NAND, MMC/SD, LCD framebuffer, ALSA/OSS audio, UDC, USB host, Camera, RTC, WatchDog, udev, hotplug etc. The page also hosts ports of several open source applications, including the versatile mplayer media player. Ingenic also supports Windows CE 5.0 with a BSP.
More information on the Ingenic Xburst procesors may be available here.
Related Stories:
(Click here for further information)
|
|
|
FUEL Database on MontaVista Linux
Whether building a mobile handset, a car navigation system, a package tracking device, or a home entertainment console, developers need capable software systems, including an operating system, development tools, and supporting libraries, to gain maximum benefit from their hardware platform and to meet aggressive time-to-market goals.
Breaking New Ground: The Evolution of Linux Clustering
With a platform comprising a complete Linux distribution, enhanced for clustering, and tailored for HPC, Penguin Computing¿s Scyld Software provides the building blocks for organizations from enterprises to workgroups to deploy, manage, and maintain Linux clusters, regardless of their size.
Data Monitoring with NightStar LX
Unlike ordinary debuggers, NightStar LX doesn¿t leave you stranded in the dark. It¿s more than just a debugger, it¿s a whole suite of integrated diagnostic tools designed for time-critical Linux applications to reduce test time, increase productivity and lower costs. You can debug, monitor, analyze and tune with minimal intrusion, so you see real execution behavior. And that¿s positively illuminating.
Virtualizing Service Provider Networks with Vyatta
This paper highlights Vyatta's unique ability to virtualize networking functions using Vyatta's secure routing software in service provider environments.
High Availability Messaging Solution Using AXIGEN, Heartbeat and DRBD
This white paper discusses a high-availability messaging solution relying on the AXIGEN Mail Server, Heartbeat and DRBD. Solution architecture and implementation, as well as benefits of using AXIGEN for this setup are all presented in detail.
Understanding the Financial Benefits of Open Source
Will open source pay off? Open source is becoming standard within enterprises, often because of cost savings. Find out how much of a financial impact it can have on your organization. Get this methodology and calculator now, compliments of JBoss.
Embedded Hardware and OS Technology Empower PC-Based Platforms
The modern embedded computer is the jack of all trades appearing in many forms.
Data Management for Real-Time Distributed Systems
This paper provides an overview of the network-centric computing model, data distribution services, and distributed data management. It then describes how the SkyBoard integration and synchronization service, coupled with an implementation of the OMG¿s Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard, can be used to create an efficient data distribution, storage, and retrieval system.
7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.
|
|
|
|
|
news feed