SPEAr1340 de STMicroelectronics, embedded microprocessor for multiple applications

STMicroelectronics has launched the SPEAr1340 embedded microprocessor, that targets a large number of connected devices, from high-resolution video conferencing equipment to smart displays.

The manufacturer of semiconductors and systems-on-chips STMicroelectronics has introduced a new embedded microprocessor with advanced multimedia capabilities, the SPEAr1340, which is the latest addition to ST's dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 family. This new microprocessor integrates two ARM Cortex-A9una cores and a powerful ARM Mali graphics/video processing unit 200 for advanced 2D and 3D acceleration in user interfaces, navigation systems, browsing and games.

The SPEAr1340 has a hardware video encoder and decoder with support for major compression standards. (like H.264, AVS y VP8), with video resolution up to 1080p and 30 frames per second (fps). You can also manage multiple simultaneous video streams (up to four camera inputs) in video surveillance applications.

Implementation of graphics and video capabilities help deliver superb state-of-the-art multimedia performance with minimal power consumption, keeping the two Cortex-A9 cores available to execute simultaneous tasks “required” by users. With multiple interfaces, highlighting I2S and S/PDIF, The SPEAr1340 also provides excellent audio functions, being able to control settings with 'surround' sound 7.1 on entry and exit paths.

Regarding security, The SPEAr1340 integrates a multi-standard cryptographic engine and One Time Programmable registers (OTP) for identification, and external Flash memory anti-tamper protection.

Manufactured with HCMOS process technology (‘high-speed’ CMOS) of 55 nm of ST, The new microprocessor benefits from a 'state-of-the-art' SPEAr1300 architecture, that combines the minimum consumption and multi-process capabilities of ARM Cortex-A9 cores with Network-on-Chip (NoC).

Dual ARM Cortex-A9 processors support symmetric and asymmetric operations at speeds of 600 MHz per core for an equivalent of 3000 DMIPS. Network-on-Chip is a flexible communications architecture that offers 'Quality of Service' (QoS) throughout the system and allows different traffic profiles to maximize the performance of numerous applications.