Improved ARM core, other changes in TI mobile app processor

Gregory Quirk, EE Times
(08/15/2008 7:00 PM EDT)

After nearly two years -- and much anticipation -- Texas Instruments has introduced the OMAP3530, the next evolution of its widely successful OMAP family of mobile application processors, which includes the OMAP2420, used in a number of mobile consumer applications including the Nokia N93 and N95. Semiconductor Insights (a division of TechInsights, which publishes EE Times) has performed a preliminary analysis to compare the new chip to its predecessor.

The OMAP platform is designed for mobile applications, including mobile phones, GPS systems and laptop computers. The chips offer a variety of features integrated into a single device. There are four separate blocks within the die that can be controlled independently, allowing parallel processing for applications to run simultaneously. This also enables blocks to be powered down when not in use to conserve battery power. The four main blocks are an ARM core, a graphics accelerator, an imaging and video accelerator (IVA) and a digital signal processor (DSP).

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