Sigma Designs and MIPS strengthen relationship targeting development of next-gen connected devices

SUNNYVALE, USA: MIPS Technologies Inc. announced that Sigma Designs Inc. has re-affirmed its commitment to the MIPS architecture with a new license agreement.

The agreement encompasses a broad spectrum of MIPS32 cores, including the MIPS32 4KEc Pro core, M14K family, 24K Pro family, 34K Pro family, 74K family and the 1004K Coherent Processing System (CPS), as well as the SOC-it L2 Cache Controller.

MIPS Technologies' cores provide Sigma Designs with a host of options including advanced code compression, superscalar performance, multi-threading and multiprocessing, as well as a comprehensive ecosystem of software, hardware and tool support.

Since 2003, Sigma Designs has licensed a wide array of MIPS processor cores for its advanced digital home products. With this new license, Sigma has access to MIPS cores for use across all of its product lines including IPTV and cable set-top boxes, Blu-ray players, home control devices and commercial systems.

"When designing SoCs for the connected products of tomorrow, it is critical that we have a processor architecture that provides superior performance, with low power consumption and a broad ecosystem of support—and we continue to get this from MIPS," said Ken Lowe, vice president of strategic marketing, Sigma Designs.

"We are delighted to continue working with MIPS Technologies and to leverage its wide range of cores to help us create complete solutions that help our customers cost-effectively create differentiated, innovative products."

Sigma Designs' SoCs power millions of home entertainment products and are inside the majority of the world's IPTV set-top boxes. Through their existing relationship, MIPS Technologies and Sigma Designs have launched the first Android set-top boxes, brought a full HD video experience to the Android platform, and are continuing to drive Android into an array of consumer products. This new agreement will enable the companies to continue innovating for the digital home, leveraging Android, Adobe® Flash® Player and other key platforms.

"Sigma Designs is constantly pushing the envelope of innovation, being one of the first MIPS licensees to embrace Android, implementing Imagination Technologies' advanced graphics technology, and incorporating other leading edge technologies into its products," said Art Swift, vice president of marketing and business development, MIPS Technologies.

"We are pleased that Sigma Designs has taken this new license, and we are excited to continue to work closely with Sigma to create a new generation of innovative products."