Seven core asic targets perfect tv picture quality

This takes over from the Cell processor based approach used in previous models. The aim is to produce a solution that can not only be integrated into the tv, but which also consumes less power and generates less heat. The asic undertakes the main processor and coprocessor functions. Six Cortex-A9 cores are deployed in the main processor element. Three of these are assigned to general processing and the other three to graphics processing. These are manufactured on a 40nm process and are laid down on a single substrate. A separate 512Mbit dram is stacked on the main die and interfaces with the ARM cores using direct bump technology. This provides a memory bandwidth of 10Gbit/s. A further core included in the design is based on Toshiba's existing multimedia processor technology. Meanwhile, the coprocessor chip, implemented in a 65nm process and stacked on the substrate, includes four blocks of hardened IP to handle specific display related functions, including 3d stereo, led backlighting, frame rate control and 3d resolution. Data is passed between the main processor and the coprocessor using four high speed lvds links. Armin Derpmanns, from Toshiba Semiconductor Europe's SoC business development group, said if there are specific tasks to perform, it's often better to hard code the algorithms.