Imagination Technologies enables META connected processor embedded system development by University of Southampton students

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05 July 2011

ImaginationTechnologies, a leading multimedia and communications technologies company, hasdonated a set of embedded systems development kits to the Electronics &Computer Science department at the University of Southampton.

The developmentsystems, called METAmorphs, are based on a single chip SoC (system on chip) thatincorporates both a META HTP multi-threaded processor core from Imagination’sMETA family, as well as Imagination’s ENSIGMA UCCP (Universal CommunicationsCore Platform) radio-processing unit (RPU) to provide programmablemulti-standard broadcast receiver and Wi-Fi connectivity tasks. The METAprocessor is ideal for both running operating systems such as Linux andImagination’s MeOS™ real-time OS, as well as advanced 32-bit signal processing.This unique highly integrated SoC based development system provides a uniquelypowerful research and development platform for students.

Says ProfessorNeil White, Head of ECS (Electronics and Computer Science), University ofSouthampton: “We very much value our relationship with ImaginationTechnologies, which is pioneering innovation in electronics in the UK andinternationally. By supporting student projects using Imagination’s latesttechnology, providing advice on industry needs, and by employing our studentson placements, Imagination is helping to ensure that ECS can continue toprovide the high level of graduates needed for future UK industrial success.”

The METAmorphsystems give students access to the same technologies which have been deployedin millions of shipping products across the TV, set-top-box, digital and FMradio and connected audio markets.

Says TonyKing-Smith, VP marketing, Imagination: “META and ENSIGMA UCCP technologies areenabling a new wave of what we call ‘connected processors’ – embeddedprocessors with highly integrated communications and connectivity capabilitiesthat will form the backbone of tomorrow’s M2M “everything connected” world. Experiencewith embedded devices connected to the Cloud and the technologies needed toenable end to end cloud-based services to those devices are a vital area of studyfor students looking to be ready for the era of the connected home and machine-to-machinecommunication. We’re delighted to be working with the University of Southamptonto help train the next generation of connectivity-based embedded systemsengineers.”

Says DenisNicole, reader in Electronics and Computer Science at the University: "Third-yearstudents at Southampton are very grateful for these cutting-edge connectedprocessor development systems from Imagination Technologies. Providing thesesystems has allowed students on the Real-Time Systems course to develop a broadrange of multi-threaded DSP programs using Imagination’s Codescape tools whichare tightly integrated with the METAmorph platforms. Students areparticularly encouraged to be using the same components that are found in thelatest high street connected digital radios, and to be associated with one ofthe world’s most successful UK-based electronics companies, where some hope tomake their future careers." 

About Imagination Technologies

Imagination Technologies Group plc (LSE:IMG) – aglobal leader in multimedia and communication technologies – creates andlicenses market-leading multimedia IP cores for graphics, video, and displayprocessing, multi-threaded embedded processing/DSP cores and multi-standardcommunications and connectivity processors. These silicon intellectual property(IP) solutions for systems-on-chip (SoC) are complemented by platform level IPand services, a strong array of software tools and drivers and extensivedeveloper and middleware ecosystems. Target markets includemobilephone, handheld multimedia, home consumer entertainment, mobile and low-powercomputing, and in-car electronics.Its licensees include many of theleading semiconductor and consumer electronics companies. Imagination hascorporate headquarters in the United Kingdom, with sales and R&D officesworldwide. See:www.imgtec.com.

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