14 DAY TRIAL // SiliconBlue Technologies has just announced that it has begun sampling its next generation of FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays) that are built using TSMC's 40nm fabrication processors and are destined to be used inside smartphone and tablet devices.
The iCE40 family of mobile FPGAs, codenamed "Los Angeles," includes both a low-power version of the chip (LP), targeting smartphones, as well as a high-speed version (HX) that will be used inside tablets.
Usually, SiliconBlue's FPGA solutions are used as companion chips for application processors provided by Qualcomm, Nvidia or Texas Instruments.
These are used for performing various tasks, including support for sensor management, high-speed custom connectivity and convergence of HD video and imaging for the Los Angeles LP-Series devices.
The more powerful Los Angeles HX-Series devices are used to provide support for sensor management, high-speed custom connectivity and tablet resolution, HD video and imaging.
The solutions feature between 16,000 to 640,000 logic cells, depending on the specific model.
All the 15 devices available in this product family have footprints smaller than 50mm2 and feature lower power consumption as well as 30-50% increased performance compared to the company's previous 65nm FPGAs.
“We have created two new distinct families that target the two areas where smartphones and other handhelds differentiate,” said Kapil Shankar, CEO of SiliconBlue.
“These devices will be available for designs this year, in time to support the explosion in new handheld products,” concluded the company's rep.
The iCE40LP8K and iCE40HX8K SiliconBlue devices are available right now, starting at $1.99 US when purchased in high enough volumes. The rest of the Los Angles FPGAs are expected to enter mass production by fourth quarter.
Also in the fourth quarter, the company will release new information about its upcoming “San Francisco” FPGAs that incorporate 1080p support with HDMI and MIPI interfaces. (via EETimes)