Complete
hardware and software solution reduces
footprint
by more than 200mm2,
opens a new chapter for innovative,
differentiated eBook products
Driving
new
eBook experiences with TI’s OMAP processor technology
The
eBook development
platform leverages TI’s proven high-performance, low-power,
45nm OMAP 3
processor family which provides a robust, multitasking environment to
simultaneously support applications which exercise the CPU, multimedia
and
graphics engines.
The OMAP3621 processor
will allow users to read their favorite eBook on an electrophoretic
display,
while simultaneously scanning the web on a second display for their
next
purchase. The processor
boasts a high
performance
ARM®
Cortex™-A8 CPU integrated
with Imagination POWERVR3D graphics acceleration, and TI’s
proven C64x+DSP
technology for multimedia acceleration.
The OMAP3621 processor
delivers an optimized peripheral set in a 12mmx12mm,
0.5mm ball pitch package with low power DDR memory support. The
solution’s smaller footprint
enables sleek consumer designs
while also delivering power and performance metrics that will change
how
consumers use eBooks in the future. The processor also provides added
flexibility
with its programmable architecture design.
Leveraging the
programmability of the OMAP platform enables
customers to further differentiate their devices and stand out in the
marketplace, giving their devices a unique look and feel.
Unique
software-based display
controller reduces footprint and cost
TI
has employed a DSP-based software
display controller, which drives E Ink’s Vizplex®
electrophoretic display on the eBook development platform to further
streamline
eBook product development. By implementing the display controller on
the DSP,
the Cortex-A8 can be used to its full potential, delivering an
outstanding user
experience. This software controller approach reduces the total silicon
footprint by more than 200mm2
as well as provides savings on overall
hardware cost. TI’s overall system solution eliminates the
need for:
- Typical
hardware EPD controller;
- Dedicated
external flash memory to store waveforms;
- Dedicated
SDRAM memory for the frame buffer; and
- External
temperature sensor by embedding it into TI’s TPS6518x display
power management IC
Optimized
power management extends usability of eBook
platform
TI’s
highly-optimized solutions are
designed to fully address the needs of power-sensitive consumer device
markets
– from eBooks to smartphones – where battery life
is just as critical as high
performance. For example, TI’s eBook development
platform will allow more
than 14,800 page turns on a six-inch E Ink screen using a slim 600mAh
battery,
representing a 50 percent improvement over similar solutions in the
market
today.
With
this in mind, consumers could read a
500-page book approximately 20 times on a single battery
charge. Additionally,
TI has optimized its connectivity solutions to run in a power conscious
environment. The WiLink
6.0 solution uses an innovative low-power scanning architecture
that continuously scans for available WLAN access points without
impacting
battery life. TI’s
system-level
power optimization also extends idle times, allowing an eBook device to
last
nearly four weeks without needing to recharge.
“We
are excited about the potential of the
eBook market and how TI’s technologies simplifies eBook
product design and
enhance the overall user experience,” said Elie Belmand,
general manager of
TI’s mobile consumer business. “Today,
we are working with more than ten leading eBook OEM and ODMs to bring
compelling,
new eBook devices to store shelves in 2010.
Our eBook platform provides a
comprehensive and solid foundation to
allow these manufacturers to shorten their product development cycle
times
while delivering innovative devices that will ‘wow’
consumers and help propel
the eBook market forward.”
Key
features
and benefits of TI’s eBook development platform
|
Features |
Benefits |
|
Proven
digital and analog technology from TI inside |
·
ARM
Cortex-A8-based 45nm OMAP3621
processor with optimized peripheral set and small footprint enables sleek consumer designs and
delivers unmatched performance with minimal power consumption ·
Flexible,
programmable architecture design enabling differentiation ·
WiLink
6.0 solution integrates Bluetooth®, FM and WLAN technologies in
a single-chip, reducing costs and size; advanced coexistence algorithms
enables simultaneous Bluetooth® audio and WLAN data
downloading; mobile industry’s first to support 802.11n ·
New
single-chip TPS6518x electronic paper display power management IC, with
integrated display panel temperature sensor and unique ability to
automate the setting of the VCOM voltage via I2C interface ·
Comprehensive
hardware offering also includes full
reference schematics and design layout files that reduces customer integration efforts and
speeds up time-to-market ·
3G modem
support, 3 axis accelerometers, and other key TI power management and
analog components included |
|
Support
for various display screens and technologies, several dual-screen eBook
configurations, and range of eBook
file formats |
·
Addresses
multiple electronic display technologies, including electrophoretic,
electromechanical, electrowetting and thin film transistor liquid
crystal displays ·
Supports
dual screen designs, allowing
readers to view primary text in one screen and supplementary text, like
footnotes, in the second ·
Enables
a strong multitasking
environment, as well as enhanced, innovative and smooth user interface
support through 3D graphics acceleration |
|
Delivers
complete software foundation |
·
Supports
Linux and Android operating systems ·
Hardware
device drivers ·
Optimized
power management ·
Software
display controller ·
WLAN, Bluetooth and
FM drivers ·
“Out
of the box” connectivity through pre-validated use-cases and
drivers optimized for power and throughput |
|
Portable
form factor |
·
·
Portable
design supports all typical eBook display sizes |
|
Supports
new and unique use cases |
·
OMAP
platform delivers support for advanced multimedia features including
EPD and color screens, as well as high quality video as future eBook
designs advance ·
Feature
rich, text-to-speech (TTS) capability ·
FM
transmit allows user to stream audio eBook or TTS to car radio while
driving ·
FM
receive allows user to listen to radio while reading ·
Bluetooth enables
user to stream audio eBook or radio to Bluetooth
headset or car radio while driving |
Availability
The
OMAP3621 processor, designed for high-volume
consumer electronics OEMs
and ODMs, is
currently sampling.
The
eBook development platform is available today for high-volume
eBook manufacturers.
These solutions are not
available through
distributors.
Samples of the TPS6518x can be ordered
via www.ti.com/tps65180-pr.
Volume production is expected in the first quarter.
Find
out
more about the eBook Development Platform by visiting the links below:
- eBook
Development Platform:
www.ti.com/ebookplatformpr
- eBook
Block Diagram: www.ti.com/ebookblockdiagram
- TPS6518x:
www.ti.com/tps65180-pr
- Images:
www.ti.com/ebookimages
- Videos
of eBook Development Platform: www.ti.com/ebookvideo
TI’s
eBook
development platform drives partner successes
“We have
been impressed by the speed and
commitment of TI’s team in the development of their
disruptive eBook solution.
On top of a deep understanding of the specific aspects and requirements
of an
eBook reading device, TI with its development platform would allow us
to build
an eBook device in only few months,” said Michael Dahan,
co-founder, BooKeen
“We
are excited by the promise of TI’s technology and the
innovation it will drive in the ePaper market,” said Sriram
Peruvemba, Vice
President of Marketing at E Ink. “Our mutual
customers in the eBook
market will benefit from enhanced features, greater flexibility,
reduced
component count and lower system costs.”
“By
working closely with TI we are able to deliver a
compact and robust platform,” said Dr. CT Liu, AUO's Senior
Vice President and
General Manager of Consumer Product Display Business Group, who is also
the
Chairman of SiPix Imaging Inc. “This reference design will
enable our customers
to deliver highly integrated system boards with competitive
prices.”
“As
we embark on new advancements in the display
technology market, the LiquaVista team is thrilled to work with TI to
bring
bright, colorful full video images to eReaders and other mobile
devices,” said
Guy Demuynck, CEO, LiquaVista. “TI’s unique eBook
development platform and OMAP
3 processors, combined with our innovative display capabilities, will
introduce
a whole new level of functional freedom for consumers across the
world.”
“Through
collaboration with TI,
Loquendo fully optimized its renowned Embedded TTS and ASR technologies
for
TI’s eBook development platform,” said Silvio Nasi,
Embedded Sales Director,
Loquendo. “This platform provides the perfect framework for
advanced multimedia
features that our multilingual TTS and ASR technologies bring
powerfully to
life on eBook devices, by means of expressive voices and
large-vocabulary
speech recognition.”
“Sensitive
Object is excited by the opportunity to
collaborate with TI to bring our innovative touch products to new
markets.
Working together allows us to
leverage TI’s
market expertise to further extend our disruptive touch technology into
various
end equipments, ranging from mobile to consumer products.” Philippe
Gounine, Chief Sales Officer,
Sensitive Object.
