World’s leading DTV IC vendor MStar licenses MIPS processor IP

CES, LAS VEGAS, USA: MIPS Technologies Inc. announced that the world's leading provider of ICs for digital television, MStar Semiconductor, licensed its multi-threaded MIPS32® 34KfTM Pro synthesizable processor core for next-generation devices.

The 34Kf core includes a floating point unit that provides enhanced performance for graphics-intensive functionality, making it critical for connected DTV and technologies such as Java, JavaScript, Adobe Flash Player and Android. MStar is a long-time MIPS licensee, having previously licensed the MIPS32 M4K and 4KEc cores.

In its Q4'09 Quarterly TV Design and Features Report, DisplaySearch, a worldwide leader in display market research, noted that MStar is now the market leader of video processor ICs in unit shipments. The report also noted that flat panel TV market growth this year is dominated by China's migration to LCD from CRT, and that MStar had a leading position in the rapidly-growing Chinese market.

DisplaySearch's TV Electronics Analyst Paul Gray commented: "MStar has risen rapidly to lead the TV IC market worldwide. Its focus on cost-effective designs and strong relationships with aggressive TV set makers enabled their success in this highly competitive market."

"To meet next-generation demands for connectivity, high-definition displays, advanced LED backlighting control, high-quality video decoding and other advanced functionality along with green power regulations, we need processors that deliver high performance, power efficiency, and seamless integration with the necessary software stacks," said WK Chia, associate vice president, MStar.

"The multi-threaded 34Kf core offers a great balance of high performance, low power and compact area. Together with MIPS' leadership and robust ecosystem in the DTV and set-top box markets, this provides us with the right solution to support next-generation development."

"We are pleased that MStar, the world's leading provider of DTV ICs, is partnering with MIPS for development of future chips," said Art Swift, vice president of marketing for MIPS Technologies.

"It is an exciting time in the DTV and set-top box industries as advanced technologies such as Internet connected TV become viable market solutions. As the number one supplier of processor IP for the DTV and set-top box markets, MIPS provides cores and enabling technologies that are optimized for multimedia, connectivity, and the next generation of connected devices."