PM-44ix
Programmable Imaging DSP
Imaging
Software
Driving the Digital Lifestyle
Processors
Quatro SOCs
Solutions
Product Brief
Zoran Corporation
1390 Kifer Road
Sunnyvale, CA 94086-5305
www.zoran.com
The PM-44ix is a high-performance, programmable digital signal
processor (DSP) for applications such as low-cost multifunction
peripherals (MFPs). Based on an advanced parallel processing
architecture designed specifically for image processing, the
PM-44ix delivers superior price/performance over conventional
DSPs in similar applications. The PM-44ix provides MFP
designers with all the flexibility advantages of a software-based
image processing solution at the price/performance of fixed-
function silicon.
Benefits
•
Unmatched price/performance–Third-generation
SIMD parallel
processing architecture
•
Flexible platform–Software
development kit that enables OEMs
to rapidly deploy their intellectual property
•
Fast time-to-market–Complete
suite of customizable image
pipelines
•
Superior image quality–Advanced
image processing algorithms
•
Cost-effective solution–Embedded
memory and small package
ideal for high-volume, lowcost MFP
Key Features
• 3,700 MIPS and 930 MMACS
• 4 parallel pipelined processors
• 225 MHz internal clock
• Up to 16 color inkjet copies per minute
• Up to 30 monochrome laser copies per minute
• Internal 64 Kbyte high-speed data memo
• Interface to external SDRAM–up to 64 Mbytes
• Flexible input, output, and host CPU ports
• Programmed in iDSP algebraic assembly language
• DSP Integrated Development Environment
• Code-compatible with PM-44i
• 128-pin LQFP
• 1.8 Volt supply with 3.3 Volt TTL-compatible I/O
Description
High-Performance Imaging Platform
Low-cost MFPs are advancing at an increasingly rapid rate. In
addition to improved performance and lower price, new functions
such as digital photo printing, color fax, Internet fax, and higher
quality copying are making MFPs more compelling to consumers,
and quickly making current models obsolete. To implement this
growing list of functions with ever shorter time-to-market, MFP
designers need a programmable, high-performance imaging platform.
The PM-44ix is that platform.
Advanced Parallel Architecture
A single PM-44ix delivers up to 16 color inkjet or 30 monochrome
laser copies per minute. The PM-44ix achieves its impressive
performance by processing image data in parallel. The PM-44ix is
based on Zoran's advanced DSP single instruction, multiple data
(SIMD) parallel processing architecture. The DSP SIMD architecture
takes advantage of the parallelism inherent in image data by
processing columns of an image in parallel. Conventional DSPs,
based on very long instruction word (VLIW) parallel processing
architectures, attempt to take advantage of the parallelism hidden in
sequential code. For image processing applications, the DSP SIMD
architecture achieves a much higher degree of parallelism and, as a
result, provides superior price/performance.
The PM-44ix contains four symmetric parallel pipelined processors
that together deliver 3,700 MIPS and 930 MMACS.
Advanced Memory Architecture
The PM-44ix's advanced memory architecture boosts performance
and lowers cost. The PM-44ix employs three different types of
memory:
• 2 Kbyte instruction memory
• 64 Kbyte high-speed embedded SRAM
• Up to 64 Mbytes of external SDRAM
Data is transferred between the memories using programmable DMA
controllers.
The PM-44ix's instruction memory ensures single-cycle instruction
execution.
The PM-44ix's high-speed embedded SRAM provides high
bandwidth for memory-intensive image processing algorithms. The
PM-44ix's processors operate directly on data stored in this memory.
An integrated controller provides an interface to low-cost external
SDRAM that can be used as a large buffer for input, output, or
intermediate image data.
Imaging-PM-44ix-PB-1.3
01/06-MMCP
ZORAN [ ZORAN CORPORATION ]
