Raza Microelectronics Inc. (RMI) will sample two low-powered, MIPS32-based media processors this quarter. The Au1250 and Au1210 respectively target multi-function portable media players (PMPs) and portable navigation devices (PNDs), and are the first new Alchemy chips since RMI acquired the line from AMD six months ago.

The new Alchemy SoCs (system-on-chip processors) are said to be pin- and software-compatible with each other, and with the older Alchemy Au1200, which has supported embedded Linux since it first sampled, in January of 2005.

Au1200 function block diagram
RMI touts its older Au1200 chip as the “current performance per Watt leader;” however, it says the new Alchemy chips will perform better and consume less power.

RMI expects the Au1250 to clock up to 600MHz — 20 percent faster than the Au1200. And, compared to the Au1200, the Au1250 will consume 30 percent less power during activity, and 60 percent less power during inactivity, RMI claims.

Like the Au1200, the Au1250 will be capable of decompressing and rendering digital content at D1 (720 x 480) resolutions. Supported codecs include MPEG-1, 2, and 4; wmv9; DivX; and Xvid.

Meanwhile, RMI expects to offer the Au1210 at clock ratings up to 400MHz. In addition to portable navigation devices, it targets single-tasking media players not required to render D1 video.

Dong-Hoon Park, direct of marketing at RMI customer CarPoint, stated, “Following the acquisition of the Alchemy Processor family from AMD, we understood that a roadmap and investment in the product line would be made by RMI. They have listened to our needs.”

This past summer, AMD sold the Alchemy line to RMI, while also investing in RMI.

Availability

The Au1250 and Au1210 are expected to sample at the end of Q1, 2007, and to reach volume production in Q2. Pricing was not disclosed.

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