NEC Electronics Introduces NaviEngine1 Multicore Platform for Car Navigation Systems

KAWASAKI, Japan, October 2, 2007 --  NEC Electronics today unveiled NaviEngine®1, the industry's most powerful single-chip system LSI solution optimized for car navigation systems. Based on four high-speed CPU cores using the ARM® MPCoreTM technology with symmetric multi-processing (SMP), NaviEngine1 is capable of simultaneously processing multiple streams of information needed for car navigation systems, including vehicle location, driving directions, and navigation functions. The chip delivers high-speed parallel processing performance of up to 1920MIPS at 400 MHz. In addition, NaviEngine1 has impressive 2D and 3D graphics using the POWERVR SGX 535 graphics core by Imagination Technologies, and is the world's first system LSI chip with built-in Serial ATA functions.

The major features of NaviEngine1 are as follows:

1. Multicore technology enables industry-leading performance

Using four ARM11TM MPCore multicore processors co-developed with ARM, with processing speeds of 480MIPS each (at 400 MHz), NaviEngine is the world's first single-chip solution designed for car navigation systems with SMP capabilities. At minimal power consumption levels, it can reach a maximum of 1920 MIPS, enabling multiple screen images such as routes, one-segment broadcast reception, and road conditions to be displayed simultaneously via the car navigation system.

2. Excellent 2D/3D imaging

NaviEngine1 is approximately three times more advanced than existing graphics systems used in car navigation systems. It includes a high performance POWERVR SGX 535 graphics core by Imagination Technologies with pixel processing of up to 13 megapolygons per second, enabling 2D, 2.5D (bird's-eye view), and 3D images using only a single chip.

3. High capacity data processing

NaviEngine1 is the world's first chip for car navigation systems to include a serial ATA interface, which is essential for high-speed access to large volumes of data (such as required for maps and navigation). In addition, the integrated LCD controller is designed to display several images simultaneously, assuring smooth map scrolling and user-friendly interfaces.

4. Comprehensive development environment

To provide an ideal development environment for customers, NEC Electronics has collaborated with numerous companies to provide assessment reports, in-circuit emulators, debuggers, middleware, as well as operating system support. For example, the eT-Kernel Multi-Core Edition by eSOL is a real time operating system that has a direct drop-in support for the NaviEngine platform. System developers interested in faster time to market can easily utilize such software coupled with development tools and middleware from partner companies to reduce the costs associated with application software development.

NEC Electronics remains dedicated to serving the needs of automotive customers, and has developed a wide range of microcontrollers and power management devices optimized for automotive use, as well as advanced SoCs such as the IMAPCAR® image recognition processor for automotive safety systems. NaviEngine1 is NEC Electronics' first product developed specifically for car navigation systems, and the company will continue to develop new products based on the NaviEngine architecture to suit higher performance and lower power consumption needs.

In addition to a strong product lineup, the company is committed to maintaining a strong global manufacturing presence to support customers around the world, initiating its MultifabTM strategy at NEC Kyushu and NEC Electronics America's Roseville facility, as well as establishing a design center and quality assurance teams in Duesseldorf, Germany.

NEC Electronics believes that sales of products based on the NaviEngine architecture will reach 30 billion yen by 2015, and contribute to the continued growth of the company's automotive semiconductor business.

Pricing and Availability

Samples of NaviEngine1 are available now, priced at US$90. Volume production is scheduled to begin in March 2009, and reach approximately 60,000 units per month.

About NEC Electronics

NEC Electronics Corporation (TSE: 6723) specializes in semiconductor products encompassing advanced technology solutions for the high-end computing and broadband networking markets, system solutions for the mobile handset, PC peripherals, automotive and digital consumer markets, and platform solutions for a wide range of customer applications. NEC Electronics Corporation has 24 subsidiaries worldwide including NEC Electronics America, Inc. (www.am.necel.com) and NEC Electronics (Europe) GmbH (www.eu.necel.com). For additional information about NEC Electronics worldwide, visit www.necel.com.