Fujitsu is sampling a new ARM9-based SoC (system-on-chip) with built-in graphics controller aimed at the sophisticated 2D and 3D graphics requirements of embedded automotive applications. The MB86R01 “Jade” integrates an enhanced version of the company's Coral PA graphics processor, and supports Linux and several other embedded OSes, the company said.

Fujitsu will demonstrate its Jade chip at the Telematics Update Conference in Novi, Michigan next week. Specific target applications include “on-board and mobile navigation systems, graphical dashboard systems, head-up display (HUD) units, rear-seat entertainment, point-of-sale terminals, and industrial control panels.” Fujitsu can produce the chip on its 90nm CMOS process technology.

The Jade SoC integrates a 320MHz ARM926EJ-S core, featuring Jazelle Java acceleration, 16KB each of instruction and data cache, and an MMU (memory management unit). It also integrates an enhanced version of Fujitsu's Coral PA graphics display controller.

Fujitsu MB86R01 diagram
(Click to enlarge)
Fujitsu said the Jade chip's Coral controller features a “geometry processor supporting floating-point transformations for smooth graphics animation; and a dual-display capability (2 x RGB digital output), which allows different content to be shown on two connected screens.” Gory details include:

• Display resolutions from 320 x 240 (QVGA) up to 1024 x 768 (XGA)
• Six layers of overlay display
• Dual-digital video-input formats include YUV, RGB, and ITU656
• Built-in alpha blending, anti-aliasing, and chroma-keying
• Bit-blt and texture mapping units (up to 4096 x 4096)
• Alpha bit-blt and ROP2 functions

The Jade SoC's I/O and expansion interfaces include:

• ETM9 (medium) and JTAG ICE interface
• 8-channel DMA and 32-bit timers
• Unified DDR2 memory interface supporting 320Mbps (up to 128MB)
• Parallel flash/SRAM host interface with decryption engine
• Parallel ATA
• SD-Card
• CAN interface
• Media LB
• USB 2.0 (host and function)
• DAC and ADC
• I2C and I2S
• PWM, SPI, UART, GPIO, and an external interrupt
• Supply voltages of 3.3V (I/O), 1.8V (DDR2), and 1.2V (internal)
• Operational temperature support from -40 to 85 C

According to Fujitsu, the Jade SoC's ARM9 core should support Linux, Windows CE, QNX, VxWorks, and Itron. OS support for the Coral graphics controller and on-chip peripherals, however, was not specified.

Dan Landeck, senior marketing manager, stated, “Combining the CPU and graphics control capabilities on a single device represents a breakthrough in performance that will benefit a wide range of information and entertainment applications in the vehicle, as well as many industrial and commercial designs.”

Availability

The MB86R01 “Jade” SoC is sampling now, priced at $40 in a BGA-484 package. Expected volume pricing was not disclosed.

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