First out of the chute in the planned series is the MoPro core, created by Cast partner Ocean Logic Pty Ltd. in Australia. It accepts a video stream and outputs the motion vectors and transformed, quantized prediction-error data needed for further video processing, Cast said. An IEEE-1180-compliant discrete-cosine transform quantizer and inverse-DCT dequantizer perform most of the computation required for video compression.

A processor interface makes it possible to control the core by selecting options such as image resolution, data format and search criteria, and the core has a glueless interface to SDRAM for frame storage. Designers need only implement the lossless stage of their chosen compression algorithm (Huffman encoding, run-length decoding, etc.) to form a complete standard-based solution, said the company. Reference design software packages that implement MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 are available as options.

Cast tailored the core for designs implemented in 0.18-micron ASIC process technologies and Xilinx and Altera programmable-logic devices. In an 0.18-micron ASIC implementation, the core uses 35,000 gates and 17.5 kbits of RAM and runs at more than 100 MHz; video throughput is greater than 800 x 600 frames at 25 frames/second. In a Virtex FPGA, the core requires 3,500 slices and eight RAM blocks and runs at over 70 MHz.

The MoPro core is a synchronous design, and is available in VHDL or Verilog for ASICs or netlists for Altera and Xilinx devices. An MPEG-4 core that is scheduled to roll out by the end of this year is expected to offer full video processing (640 x 480 pixels at 30 frames/s) and to require just 100,000 gates. For more information, visit www.cast-inc.com/cores/motion.

ARM Ltd. and Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. (SMIC; Shanghai, China) have signed an agreement to develop an ARM7TDMI microprocessor core-based test chip. Targeted at SMIC's 0.18-micron CMOS process, the test chip is the first step in enabling fabless design companies to access ARM processor core technology with a view toward future fabrication.

The companies said that the ARM7TDMI test chip will enable local semiconductor houses to develop and validate products around ARM's most widely licensed and popular microprocessor cores. With a customer base already established in China for both companies, the agreement marks the foundation of a complete package of services, from delivery of semiconductor IP through design and validation to manufacturing.

The companies said they expect the test chip will complete validation by the end of the year. ARM7TDMI core-based ICs are expected soon thereafter.