Imagination METAflow connected processor links embedded systems to the cloud

IP platform powering next generation of cloud-connected embedded devices

June 14, 2011 -- Imagination Technologies, a leading multimedia and communications technologies company, is now licensing its METAflow family of connected processors.

The highly integrated licensable METAflow IP platform is based on Imagination's market leading silicon IP and supporting software solutions.

METAflow embodies all that is best about Imagination’s META processor and ENSIGMA communications technologies combining multithreaded processing and always-available connectivity.

METAflow’s tight integration of communications and multithreaded processing in a single mature IP solution is made possible thanks to key technologies already being deployed as part of Imagination established multi-threaded META processor family and ENSIGMA UCCP multi-standard connectivity and broadcast IP platform, and are already supported by a rich and growing set of middleware and tools.

Imagination's METAflow Connected Processor family combines the META multithreaded processor, which boasts real-time, general-purpose and DSP capabilities, with ENSIGMA UCCP connectivity solution which includes Wi-Fi technology.

The availability of power and silicon efficient ‘always-on’ Wi-Fi connectivity will enable embedded devices to deliver their functionality using an optimal mix of local and internet resources. METAflow will enable the growth and acceleration of markets for products featuring connectivity across an increasingly diverse range of applications such as home automation, security, entertainment, toys, and health care as well as the more established markets of consumer electronics, mobile media and automotive.

Says Tony King-Smith, VP marketing, Imagination Technologies: “The increasingly broad array of highly portable applications platforms such as Linux, Android and sophisticated RTOS means that our partners are now re-evaluating how best to create the next wave of connected embedded products. A growing number of our semiconductor partners, as well as OEMs, OS, middleware and service providers are excited by our unique METAflow ’connected processor proposition. They recognise that when METAflow is combined with our innovative and enabling FlowWorld portal technology and Flow APIs, Imagination has come up with a totally new concept in solution-oriented IP. There’s simply nothing else to compare with what this unique new IP platform has to offer.”

METAflow supports a range of operating systems including full Linux, Android and the MeOS embedded RTOS from Imagination.

Imagination’s MeOS is a compact real-time operating system (RTOS) ideal for small memory footprint, highly cost-optimised embedded systems. MeOS delivers a comprehensive set of facilities for multi-tasking software designs, while avoiding complex features that increase code size and reduce performance. It has been successfully deployed in hundreds of products and millions of shipped systems.

Continues King-Smith: "Imagination revolutionised the use of graphics across the mobile and embedded markets with POWERVR and intends to do the same for connected embedded devices with METAflow. METAflow will enable the next wave of ubiquitous connectivity in all manner of embedded products across consumer, industrial and enterprise segments.”

METAflow and FlowWorld

METAflow connected processors are designed to be used with FlowWorld, Imagination’s configurable portal technology enabling the connection of devices to the cloud, to enable an end to end solution for delivery of services and content between service providers and users through the cloud.

The METAflow processor and FlowWorld underpin Imagination's Flow Technology, a comprehensive and unique IP platform that establishes a new benchmark for connecting devices to the Cloud utilising both internet and broadcast channels.

Unlike other portal technologies, FlowWorld’s unique ‘fit’ to the METAflow connected processor enables a much higher degree of efficiency, consistency and utility for developing devices delivering real-time and ‘always connected’ services. Flow Technology’s powerful and growing, yet simple to implement, APIs enable a diverse range of embedded applications supported by web services to be rapidly developed and deployed by Imagination’s Flow ecosystem partners.

FlowWorld delivers both baseline and enhanced services using a series of APIs through which partners can centrally control and manage service configurations for any METAflow based connected product. METAflow IP platform technology is available for licensing from Imagination now.

About Imagination Technologies

Imagination Technologies Group plc (LSE:IMG) – a global leader in multimedia and communication technologies – creates and licenses market-leading multimedia IP cores for graphics, video, and display processing, multi-threaded embedded processing/DSP cores and multi-standard communications and connectivity processors. These silicon intellectual property (IP) solutions for systems-on-chip (SoC) are complemented by platform level IP and services, a strong array of software tools and drivers and extensive developer and middleware ecosystems. Target markets includemobile phone, handheld multimedia, home consumer entertainment, mobile and low-power computing, and in-car electronics.Its licensees include many of the leading semiconductor and consumer electronics companies. Imagination has corporate headquarters in the United Kingdom, with sales and R&D offices worldwide. See: www.imgtec.com.