| Design Challenges of Multimedia Semiconductor Solutions
The successful development of multimedia semiconductor solutions faces the following significant challenges:
Multimedia System Expertise . The success of multimedia applications depends on an individual user's subjective perceptions, making performance measurement difficult. Designing a superior multimedia solution demands a complete and in-depth understanding of the multimedia system, which usually consists of multimedia information collection or generation, processing or enhancement, compression and decompression, storage and display functions.
Performance . Multimedia applications require a higher volume of computations than many other PC or mobile phone applications. Complex algorithms must be effectively implemented into multimedia semiconductors to perform image, video and audio digital signal processing functions and video and audio signal reconstruction functions.
Integration . Highly integrated designs with small die size, low power consumption and low heat dissipation are critical for the incorporation of multimedia capabilities into small and light-weight devices such as mobile phones. However, it is complex to integrate analog and digital functions on a single semiconductor. Significant experience is required to effectively partition a semiconductor between analog and digital functions to achieve optimal performance. Moreover, analog circuits usually are designed and integrated with digital circuits through a difficult and time-consuming manual process, and engineers possessing these design skills are in short supply. Comprehensive Solutions . Manufacturers who seek to incorporate multimedia semiconductors into their devices expect designers of multimedia semiconductors to provide comprehensive solutions, including middleware/software, drivers, firmware, reference design kits and development tools. Moreover, advanced multimedia applications often require the integration of application-specific software features with multimedia hardware capabilities.
Diverse and Evolving Requirements . Multimedia applications continue to evolve rapidly and standards continue to change. Different end products will often require varying levels of multimedia functionality based on market segmentation, manufacturer requirements and, in the case of mobile phones, the technology of the network. Multimedia semiconductors must have the capability of supporting a diverse set of features, standards, networks and system platforms. In addition, designers must be able to upgrade their multimedia semiconductors with as little disruption to the end product's architecture as practical.
Cost Efficiency . Since electronic products are generally subject to declines in average selling prices, manufacturers require that the cost of multimedia semiconductors, as well as costs relating to their integration into end products, be competitive. |
