SEMICONDUCTORS SPOTLIGHT
SMSC LAN9131
QUICK TAKE:
The LAN9131 is the industry's first high-performance network multimedia coprocessor. It's based on the company's RipStream technology, which combines support of multiple high-definition, audio/video streams, software protocol stack management and security. SMSC, Hauppauge, NY. (631) 435-6000.
MORE INFO:
Built for high performance and flexibility, the LAN9131 leverages the 32-bit ARM926 core to offload the main SoC's TCP/IP processing burden while supporting multiple HD A/V streams with Fast Ethernet data rates. The main SoC can now partition out CPU intensive networking, interoperability and content-protection functions to the LAN9131, allowing the SoC to focus its resources on core multimedia and user interface applications. Additional offloading from the main SoC is achieved through the LAN9131's implementation of two dedicated bi-directional Transport Stream Interfaces (TSIs). This enables the co-processor to assign both audio and video packets without interfering with the main SoC's system bus. Also, the LAN9131's hardware-based AES-128 function block greatly accelerates Digital Rights Management (DRM) content protection schemes such as Digital Transmission Content Protection over Internet Protocol (DTCP-IP) and Windows Media DRM (WMDRM 10) without burdening the main SoC. The LAN9131 also offers support for leading industry interoperability standards and is the only wired Ethernet co-processor solution to currently support Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) guidelines. For more information, go to www.smsc.com.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
Consumers today are acquiring, viewing and managing a vast amount of digital content and need devices to communicate with each other in order to share content. This industry first solution delivers time-to-market advantages and reduces development risk for customer designs. Target applications include network-enabled HD TVs, set-top boxes, digital video recorders and home media servers, among others.
MORE ABOUT DLNA AND DTCP-IP
SMSC has announced its alliance with the Digital Living Networking Alliance as well as its support of the Digital Transmission Content Protection over Internet Protocol. Members of DLNA (www.dlna.org) share a vision of a wired and wireless interoperable network of personal computers, consumer electronics and mobile devices in the home enabling a seamless environment for sharing and growing new digital media and content services. And since authentication and encryption processing have become essential when transferring copyright protected digital content between devices, the LAN9131 multimedia co-processor supports DTCP-IP. Allowing copyrighted multimedia content to be viewed over a home network while keeping it protected, DTCP-IP has become an industry de facto standard. The DTCP-IP compatible functions provided in the LAN9131 comprise hardware and encryption firmware circuit blocks as well as content data transfer control.
PRICING AND AVAILABILITY:
Engineering samples of the LAN9131 are available today. Qualification samples are expected to be available in December, 2006 with mass production samples in the first quarter of 2007. In a 256-pin XTQFP, pricing is less than $18 each in OEM quantities.
Company: SMSC
Product URL: Click here for more information