Billions at stake for DSP in consumer electronics

8 September 2004 News

New codecs, standards, and applications in consumer electronics mean that programmability and flexibility are critical to meeting customer requirements and time-to-market goals.

These conditions suggest that the programmable digital signal processor (DSP) could become the component of choice in audio, video, and graphics signal processing.

According to a new study from ABI Research, the stakes are high for signal processing stalwarts such as Texas Instruments, Analog Devices, Freescale, and Agere. They need to position themselves intelligently in this hotly contested, rapidly changing market.

Alan Varghese, senior director of semiconductor research, points to several developments in the consumer electronics (CE) space that are creating a drive towards programmable solutions. "In video," he says, "it is high definition television (HDTV) with its associated high bandwidth requirements. The considerable changes in the compression and modulation techniques used, require flexible programmable solutions."

Another trend is the advent of the IP set-top-box. Since content comes to this device from the Internet, it can arrive in different formats, so multiple audio and video types must be supported.

Finally, there is seamless connectivity in the home, involving the interconnection of CE devices. "There are debates around technologies such as Ethernet, Media-over-coax, 802.11, and Ultrawideband," he notes, "which all require flexible solutions."

But a major move towards programmable DSP solutions may never happen, he says. CE companies have been used to specifying and designing their own custom chips and ASICs. Will they be comfortable allowing microprocessor vendors to encroach on their world? Will they fear that the core value will be all in the DSP?

ABI Research's report outlines trends in CE features and applications, IC integration and cost-reduction roadmaps, competition and market share.

For more information see www.abiresearch.com

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