GPU IP becomes the key to action SoC differentiation

As the semiconductor process progresses to the 28/20 nanometer generation, the gap between manufacturing and design capabilities is also increasing. In order to integrate more functions into the system-on-chip (SoC) in the shortest time, the chip designer has adopted the SIP technology provided by a third-party provider instead of developing it on their own, and has gradually become a trend. Through the use of high-quality, complete third-party IP solutions, chip designers can focus their resources on developing products with differentiated features, including design methods that link various IP blocks. Therefore, this has made the SIP market grow rapidly in recent years.

According to the data released by the research institution Markets and Markets, the global SIP market revenue is expected to grow from 2.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2012 to 5.7 billion U.S. dollars in 2017, and the annual composite growth rate (CAGR) will reach 14.5%. In particular, driven by mobile devices and various consumer electronics innovation designs, the processor IP market has the highest growth rate of 21.2%, which outperforms the overall market.

In processor IP, GPU (Graphics Processor) IP has better scalability because of its parallel processing features, which has become an important force to promote the performance of SoCs. In addition, the combination of CPU and GPU heterogeneous computing architecture will also be able to further improve the performance and reduce power, will open new opportunities for the next generation of SoC design.

The world’s top 20 leading semiconductor and OEM players, including Intel, MediaTek, Sony, Samsung, and other famous companies, are using SIP provided by third-party companies to apply their technologies to mobile phones, tablet PCs, and TVs. In consumer electronics such as onboard boxes and automotive electronics. In addition, by properly combining IP technologies, semiconductor companies can promote the innovative design of smart phones and tablets, and develop amazing user interface and drawing functions.

Imagination Technologies, the third-largest SIP player in the world, points out that with more and more “wisdom” of consumer electronics products, behind the fact that the two key technologies of multimedia and connectivity are driving the development of more advanced features, It includes a user interface for multimedia devices, rich graphics capabilities, and high-quality video processing. In terms of connectivity, there are positioning services, on-demand content, and social networking functions.

The company said that a better user interface (GUI) requires higher pixel processing capabilities, not only mobile devices, cars and other products are also moving towards this trend, such as digital dashboards, information communication entertainment systems, and post Entertainment devices, multi-screen displays, etc. are all based on GPUs.

Imagination emphasized that effective use of CPUs, GPUs, and communications processors, as well as other processors, has become an important force in promoting all kinds of new applications. It also plays an important role in design methods and process technologies. At the same time, heterogeneous computing will bring significant changes to the SoC, stimulating more innovative features for terminal applications such as user interfaces, games, and multimedia.

The SoC IP portfolio provided by Imagination includes PoweVR graphics, video, display IP, MIPS CPU IP, innovative Ensigma communication IP, and HelloSoft V.VolP and VoLTE IP, and Flow cloud connectivity IP solutions. In addition, Imagination strengthened its existing CPU IP portfolio after acquiring MIPS earlier this year. Imagination has already been actively developing CPU technology, and after incorporating MIPS, it will accelerate the implementation of this plan. This merger and acquisition action will help the company provide a more complete IP solution to meet the design needs of a new generation of consumer devices.