AMD chooses STMicro for mobile graphics licensing

Advanced Micro Devices on Tuesday announced its intentions of developing and licensing leading-edge graphics core technologies to semiconductor manufacturers throughout the hand-held industry.

For the purpose, AMD, the leading global provider of innovative processing solutions in the computing, graphics and consumer electronics markets, has chosen STMicroelectronics, a world leader in developing and delivering semiconductor solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics applications.

In a separate statement, STMicro also confirmed that it has signed a deal with AMD to license its three-dimensional (3D) graphics technology, which will allow STMicro to provide processors capable of supporting mobile video games and other user interface applications.

“Our extensive benchmarking research found that AMD delivers the highest quality graphics technology for hand-held user interfaces and sophisticated applications such as GPS,” said Jyrki Hannikainen, general manager of ST's Application Processor Division.

The licensing deal will combine STMicro's Nomadik platform with the 3D graphics core technology from AMD's Hand-held Division, formerly part of ATI Technologies. AMD had acquired the hand-held unit last year. The Nomadik chips are aimed for use in 3G (third-generation) mobile phones and PDAs (personal digital assistants).

“Combining AMD’s leading graphics core with the proven strengths of our Nomadik leading-edge multimedia platform will not only drive interest with application developers, but will help feed the consumer appetite for visually rich 3D applications and multimedia,” Hannikainen said.

Companies assert that the combination will enable developers and application providers to implement more complex game play, similar to features found on high-end PCs and game consoles; and improve artificial intelligence.

STMicro has licensed graphics cores for 2-D and 3-D graphics, as well as vector graphics core engines and related software compliant with OpenGL ES 2.0 and OpenVG 1.0 standards. It intends to combine AMD’s handheld unified shader architecture graphics technology with its Nomadik platform.

Financial details of the licensing deal with STMicro were not disclosed.

With the move, AMD hopes to meet surging demand for mobile devices and mobile applications that require better graphics.

Collaborating with leading semiconductor suppliers such as STMicroelectronics, OEMs and application developers, AMD aims to develop leading-edge hand-held platforms, promote the creation of graphics-rich content and discover a new world of mobile entertainment experiences.

After acquiring ATI Technologies, AMD got a range of mobile graphics. Its own chip, called Imageon, can be found in a wide range of handsets, including Motorola's Pebl, Razr, and Rokr handsets, as well as phones from Samsung Electronics and others.

Meanwhile, on Monday the Sunnyvale, California based AMD unveiled three microprocessors for mobile devices focused on video, audio, and high-resolution photos. The three media processors, coded Imageon 2298, 2294, and 2192, can support camera functions up to 12 megapixels, and DVD-quality video playback and recording.

The three new chips, which are now available to device manufacturers, also support TV output, video telephony, and other miscellaneous functions. The hand-held devices using these chips are expected to hit the market early next year.

The chip maker on Monday also released additional architectural features for its upcoming quad-core AMD Opteron processors at the International Solid-State Circuits Conference in San Francisco. The added features include a substantial increase in the capabilities of the company's "PowerNow" technology, which enables systems to slash power consumption by vigorously adjusting frequencies at the individual core level.

The quad-core Opteron processors are scheduled to ship in the middle of the year.