Video Audio Processing IC With Shared Memory Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional integrated circuits for video/audio processing lack interfaces for mobile applications, such as cellular telephones, and do not efficiently manage power consumption, and require individual design of memory interfaces between processing blocks, hindering the development of high-function video/audio devices.
Innovation Solution
An integrated circuit with a microcomputer block, stream input/output block, media processing block, AV input/output block, and memory interface block, connected via dedicated data buses, allowing shared memory access and independent control programming for each block, enhancing data transfer efficiency and reducing latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional LSI is used for video/audio processing, then media processing functions are provided, but it lacks interfaces for mobile applications and power management functions
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated circuit is designed with multiple functional blocks that can serve different application types. The same LSI can be configured for mobile devices (with power management and telephony interfaces) or server devices (with high-performance media processing), making it universally applicable across different device categories while maintaining adaptability to specific interface requirements
2Productivity
If individual memory interfaces are designed for each processing block, then data transfer requirements are met, but development steps cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional blocks (CPU block, media processing block, stream I/O block, AV I/O block) share a common memory interface structure. This unified interface design allows efficient data transfer between different blocks and memory while reducing the overall development complexity, as the same interface framework is reused across different blocks rather than designing separate interfaces for each
3Quantity of substance
If a common memory is shared by various processing blocks, then transfer band and latency guarantee are required, but individual design is still necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The memory interface is designed as a universal shared resource that can be accessed by multiple processing blocks simultaneously. The common memory serves all blocks (CPU, media processing, stream I/O, AV I/O) with a standardized interface protocol, enabling efficient resource utilization while reducing design effort through reuse of the same interface architecture across different blocks
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit for video/audio processing in which design resources obtained by development of video/audio devices can also be used for other types of video/audio devices. The integrated circuit includes a microcomputer that includes a CPU, a stream input/output for inputting/outputting a video and audio stream to and from an external device, a media processor that executes the media processing including at least one compressing and decompressing the video and audio stream inputted to the stream input/output, an AV input/output that converts the video and audio stream subjected to the media processing by the media processor into video and audio signals and outputting these signals to the external device. A memory interface controls a data transfer between the microcomputer, the stream input/output, the media processor and the AV input/output and an external memory.