MIPI Alliance Launches New M-PHY and UniPro Specifications for Mobile Device Applications

Delivering the Highest Performance, Most Power Efficient Data Transport Interface Technology

Piscataway, NJ, June 13, 2011– MIPI Alliance today announced two new specifications designed to dramatically improve data transport performance in mobile devices. The M-PHY v1.0 offers an optimized physical layer with high bandwidth capabilities. The UniPro v1.4 specification builds on the physical layer  to provide a unified, layered protocol stack . Combined, these two specifications deliver the highest performance and most power efficient data transport interface technology available today. For more information, go to www.mipi.org/mphyunipro

According to industry analyst Jim McGregor, chief technology strategist with In-Stat, data traffic on smartphones is forecasted to increase 140% from 2010 to 2011.  To insure a positive consumer experience, mobile devices must rapidly process mass amounts of data. Couple this processing requirement with the continued need for power reduction, and the need for high performance interface technology becomes apparent.  

In addition to supporting smartphones and  full-function phones, both M-PHY and UniPro are suitable for other applications including tablets/netbooks, digital  cameras, high speed memory storage and multimedia devices. The benefits of these high bandwidth, high performing interface technologies also address the needs any portable consumer electronics device which must process large amounts of data with a low power threshold.

 M-PHY Delivers Key Features

M-PHY v1.0 is a high bandwidth serial interface with an exceptionally wide data rate range spanning 10kbps to near 6Gbps. Bandwidth can be scaled based on the application needs, making M-PHY a very flexible physical layer. Multiple transmission modes plus a low energy per bit threshold rate equals significant power efficiency. In addition, M-PHY is optical friendly, enabling an optional low-complexity electro-optical signal conversion and optical data transport.

The M-PHY physical layer is designed as the primary interface for MIPI’s transport layer UniPro. This connection is accomplished via UniPort-M, the actual port coupling the two layers. By specifying a dedicated port, MIPI can insure that high performance data transport is maintained.

UniPro Simplifies Device Interconnection

Building on the M-PHY physical layer, UniPro leverages a stack of protocol layers, serving as a high performance processing pipeline for data units. It is suitable for a wide range of component types including application processors, co-processors and modems, as well as different types of data traffic. UniPro is scalable from a single link to network architecture. By simplifying the interconnection between disparate devices, UniPro reduces time-to-market and design costs.

“The M-PHY and UniPro specifications were developed in cooperation, giving  mobile device designers a complete view of the physical and transport layers, said Joel Huloux, Chairman of the Board for MIPI Alliance. “Taken together, these specifications enable unprecedented improvements in bandwidth flexibility and gains in performance, as well as reducing design expense and time-to-market. 

These specifications were developed by the MIPI Alliance PHY and UniPro work groups, comprised of industry experts spanning the mobile device ecosystem. Their system level approach, combined with interaction across groups, has resulted in these optimized specifications. MIPI Alliance will convene its quarterly membership meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark, June 13-17, where work groups will continue development on next generation specifications.  

About MIPI Alliance

MIPI Allianceis a global, collaborative organization comprised of companies that span the mobile ecosystem and are committed to defining and promoting interface specifications for mobile devices. MIPI Specifications establish standards for hardware and software interfaces which drive new technology and enable faster deployment of new features and services.