Network coprocessor serves as multimedia implant
By Matthew Miller, Executive Editor, Online -- EDN, September 19, 2006
SMSC today introduced what it calls a wired-Ethernet multimedia coprocessor: a device that aims to help consumer-electronics designers more easily spin out network-enabled systems such as HDTVs, DVRs, and home-media servers.
Outfitted with a 32-bit ARM926 core, an internal 802.3 MAC/PHY, and an integrated TCP/IP stack, the LAN9131 relieves a system's host processor of the high TCP/IP-processing burden that multimedia streams impose. This allows engineers to either build a highly efficient system from scratch, or give an existing system HD-streaming capabilities without having to upgrade the system's host processor, according to SMSC.
The device includes a hardware AES-128 security-processing block, which accelerates the handling of DRM (digital rights management) schemes including DTCP-IP (Digital Transmission Content Protection over Internet Protocol) and Windows Media DRM 10. Two bidirectional TSIs (transport stream interfaces) allow the coprocessor to assign audio and video packets without placing any traffic on the main system bus.
The device also provides on-chip features that make it compliant with the guidelines of the DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance)—a group focusing on the interoperability of diverse devices.
(Check our upcoming Oct. 12 issue for an article addressing both DLNA and HANA (High Definition Audio/Video Networking Alliance), another group that is working on interoperability of multimedia systems in the home.)
