Sony, Software on a chip...
BW0122 NOV 24,1997 7:55 PACIFIC 10:55 EASTERN
( BW)(SONY-SEMICONDUCTOR-5) Sony Announces API Set
Supporting Its NanoOS Software-On-Chip Technology; More
Than 100 APIs Available For DVB Set-Top Box and DVD
Applications
Business Editors and High-Tech Writers
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 24, 1997--Sony Semiconductor
Company of America (SSA), a division of Sony Electronics Inc., Monday
announced the availability of its application programmable interface (API) set
supporting its NanoOS technology.
First implemented in Sony's CXD1930Q MPEG-2 integrated audio/video
decoder, the NanoOS kernel is a real-time embedded operating system.
This compact nano-kernel uses highly programmable hardware cores to handle a
significant portion of chip functionality and provide customization options.
Sony's advanced, open API set will enable set-top box developers to provide
product differentiation through its flexible architecture. More than 100 APIs are now
available for multimedia applications such as digital video broadcast (DVB) and
digital versatile disc (DVD).
The NanoOS technology is also the foundation for expanding the API set towards
the next generation of products such as HDTV.
"With our advanced API set, set-top box designers can use the NanoOS kernel
to enhance their products with unique, custom capabilities," said Jodie Hughes, vice
president and general manager consumer a/v/d division, SSA.
"Designed for a wide spectrum of multimedia applications, the NanoOS
technology and its API set will enable advanced features to be easily integrated and
cost effective."
Designed to efficiently balance hardware/software requirements, the NanoOS
software handles fixed proprietary tasks and virtual memory, providing programming
ease and flexibility in real-time control. It is optimized to balance instruction memory
and supportive functionality. The NanoOS kernel has a compact size of 256-bytes
currently running on a single 16-bit ISA RISC central processing unit. This simple
kernel can be embedded in other real-time industry standard operating systems (OS)
enabling nano-kernel drop-ins, such as Sony's Aperios, pSOS and OS/9. It is also
designed to handle optimum trade-off between real-time and non real-time tasks.
For example, in the CXD1930Q, the NanoOS software handles high-level system
functions such as audio/video/sub-title/closed-caption synchronization, proprietary
error concealment and advanced trick play commands.
The CXD1930Q forms the basis for Sony's Virtuoso family of digital media
devices. The NanoOS technology is also portable across the Virtuoso family of
future digital media devices through its virtual instruction set architecture.
The API enables different levels of control depending on the host processor
architecture. For example, the APIs for DVD applications include advanced trick
play for both audio and video, sub-picture graphics control, on-screen-display
graphics control, still image tilling and picture-in-picture, angle picture viewing,
graphics and image scrolling, and programmable filtering with optimum filter section
based on arbitrary sampling ratio inputs that enable features such as zoom-in and
zoom-out.
"Designed with a hierarchical structure, the API set allows easy customization and
product differentiation. Its hierarchical design enables software portability and quick
hardware upgrades," said Dr. Taner Ozcelik, software design manager, for video
and graphics products, SSA. "It also reduces design support costs and increases
platform independence."
Through Sony's multi-level API set, most of the functionality traditionally provided
at the host processor level is brought on-chip for simplicity in implementation and
easy upgrade.
SSA, based in San Jose, is a leading manufacturer of integrated circuits. Since
1983, Sony has designed, engineered and manufactured products for the U.S.
semiconductor market. The company is a leading supplier and technology leader in
the development of semiconductor solutions for newly-emerging and cutting-edge
high performance markets in multimedia, communications and workstation cache
memory. Currently it offers a diverse array of innovative products ranging from
memory to multimedia, communications, networking and wireless ICs.
Vertically integrated for fast product development and production, Sony is
positioned to respond quickly to customer needs. The company includes a
state-of-the-art design center in San Jose and wafer fabrication facilities in San
Antonio, Texas.
For additional information, contact Sony Semiconductor Co. of America, 3300
Zanker Road, San Jose, Calif. 95134. Telephone 800/288-SONY or
408/955-6572, Fax 408/955-5176 or visit SSA's Web site at www.sony.com/semi
.
pSOS is a trademark of Integrated Systems Inc. OS/9 is a trademark of
Microware Systems Corp.
--30--JS/np* KM/np
CONTACT: Sony Electronics Inc.
Julie Steckmest, 408/955-4469
julie_steckmest@mail.sel.sony.com
or
Roberts, Mealer & Co.
Amy Lytle/Leilani Smith
714/957-1314
alytle@rmc.xo.com
lsmith@rmc.xo.com
KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS COMED PRODUCT |
