STMicroelectronics' next-generation microprocessors in computing and industrial applications
Implementation of optimal user interface and multimedia performance

Provides outstanding performance by integrating two ARM Cortex-A9 cores and a hardware graphics/video processing unit.

STMicroelectronics ( www.st.com ), a world-leading integrated semiconductor company and a leader in the development and supply of System-on-Chip (SoC), has launched a new embedded microprocessor product with advanced multimedia capabilities. The new SPEAr1340 is a new addition to ST’s dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 microprocessor family and is designed for use in a wide variety of smart connectivity devices, ranging from high-resolution video conferencing systems to intelligent displays and web connectivity equipment.

ST's SPEAr1340 integrates the powerful ARM Mali 200 graphics processing unit to enable enhanced 2D and 3D acceleration performance in user interfaces, navigation systems, browsing, and gaming consoles. The SPEAr1340 integrates a hardware video encoder and decoder that support major compression standards (H.264, AVS, VP8, etc.) and supports video resolutions up to 1080p at a speed of 30 frames per second. SPEAr1340 can also process multiple video flows simultaneously in multimedia-centric applications such as surveillance video cameras (up to 4 camera inputs possible).

SPEAr1340 provides excellent multimedia performance with extremely low power consumption by implementing graphics and video functions in hardware, and at the same time, it can perform tasks required by the user simultaneously using two Cortex-A9 cores. In addition, the SPEAr1340 provides multiple interfaces including I2S and S/PDIF, enabling it to handle configurations ranging from 7.1 surround sound in both input and output paths with excellent audio performance.

In the security field, the SPEAr1340 provides superior identification and external flash memory anti-forgery capabilities by integrating a multi-standard encryption engine and an OTP (One Time Programmable) register.

"Loris Valenti, General Manager of Computer Systems at STMicroelectronics, said, 'The SPEAr1340 is at the forefront of the embedded microprocessor market and is suitable for a wide range of applications, from entry-level web access devices to video conferencing and security systems, by combining powerful processing performance, various peripheral functions, and excellent multimedia performance.'"

The new SPEAr1340 microprocessor is manufactured using ST's low-power 55nm HCMOS (high-speed CMOS) process technology and is based on the state-of-the-art SPEAr1300 architecture, which combines the outstanding low-power and multi-processing performance of two ARM Cortex-A9 cores with innovative NoC (Network-on-Chip) technology.

This dual ARM Cortex-A9 processor supports fully symmetric and asymmetric operation and achieves 3,000 DMIPS of performance at a speed of 600 MHz/core (under industrial worst-case conditions). Network-on-Chip provides 'QoS (Quality of Service)' for the entire system.