Xilinx launches solutions that can address video and audio development
1. What products did Xilinx announce?
Xilinx, a leading provider of programmable logic devices, recently introduced a range of solutions aimed at supporting the development of advanced broadcast and media technologies. These include 3D TV, Ultra HDTV, IP TV (IPTV), digital cinema, and H.264 video applications. With these offerings, professional broadcast equipment designers now have a more cost-effective and flexible approach to developing products that can adapt to evolving industry standards while accelerating time-to-market. The new solutions are part of Xilinx’s broader target design platform strategy, which was announced last year to address specific market needs.
The product lineup includes:
a. A broadcast connectivity kit developed in partnership with Tokyo Electron Device. This kit is built on Xilinx’s low-cost Spartan-6 FPGA family and supports triple-rate SDI, HDMI, DisplayPort, and V-by-One interfaces. It offers a variety of pre-defined video interfaces tailored for the professional broadcast market.
b. A broadcast processing engine IP core, enabling customers to perform all necessary video processing tasks directly on Xilinx FPGAs without relying on external video processing hardware.
c. A low-latency H.264 AVC-Intra solution, developed in collaboration with VSofts, designed to reduce encoding data rates and minimize delay in real-time broadcasting.
d. An audio codec IP core from Coreworks, supporting the latest audio standards such as MPEG1 Layer II, Dolby E, Dolby Digital, and AAC+.
2. Why is this release so far-reaching?
FPGAs have become a critical component in the broadcast industry due to their ability to deliver high performance, efficiency, and flexibility. Xilinx, along with its ecosystem partners, has created a comprehensive set of boards, IP cores, and systems that simplify the design process for engineers. The reprogrammable nature of FPGAs allows for quick updates to meet new standards without requiring a complete system redesign, which saves both time and resources. As a result, designers can focus more on innovation and differentiation, ultimately reducing time-to-market and increasing competitive advantage.
3. What is driving the broadcast industry's demand for FPGAs?
The rapid evolution of broadcast standards—such as 3D TV, digital cinema, advanced audio formats, and higher bandwidth requirements—is pushing manufacturers to seek more adaptable and scalable solutions. Programmable devices like FPGAs offer the flexibility needed to quickly respond to these changes, helping companies stay ahead of the curve. By adopting FPGAs, manufacturers can also extend the lifespan of their products and maintain a competitive edge in an ever-changing market.
4. Who is interested in Xilinx solutions?
Broadcast and audio equipment manufacturers looking for a cost-effective and lower-risk alternative to ASIC or ASSP solutions are particularly interested in Xilinx’s offerings. Additionally, audio designers aiming to replace traditional DSP chips with FPGAs to reduce overall costs, power consumption, and BOM (Bill of Materials) expenses will find Xilinx’s solutions appealing. These platforms provide a robust and scalable foundation for next-generation broadcast and media applications.
5. Are there other alternative solutions on the market?
While some alternatives based on ASIC, ASSP, and DSP exist, they often come with higher development costs and limited flexibility compared to FPGAs. For instance, using multiple DSPs to replace Xilinx audio codecs would likely increase power consumption, board space, and overall system complexity. FPGAs, on the other hand, offer superior performance, scalability, and cost-efficiency, making them a preferred choice for modern broadcast applications.
6. Compared with Spartan-6 series FPGA, how is the application of Virtex-6 series in broadcasting equipment?
The Virtex-6 and Spartan-6 FPGA families represent programmable alternatives to custom ASIC designs. While ASICs are suitable for high-volume, fixed-function applications, they carry higher risks and longer development cycles. Both FPGAs provide a wide range of features, including signal processing capabilities, transceivers, and memory interfaces. However, the Virtex-6 series is optimized for high-performance, high-bandwidth applications, whereas the Spartan-6 series targets cost-sensitive, low-power designs. This makes each family ideal for different segments of the broadcast equipment market.
7. Xilinx mentioned Coreworks and VSofts, so how does Xilinx cooperate with third-party vendors?
Xilinx’s strategy in the broadcast market involves close collaboration with third-party partners to enhance the value proposition of its FPGAs. Through these partnerships, Xilinx provides customers with specialized IP, board-level solutions, software tools, and design services. This cooperative approach is a key component of Xilinx’s target design platform initiative, ensuring that customers receive comprehensive support tailored to their specific needs across various markets.
8. What is the target design platform?
The target design platform is a comprehensive solution that integrates hardware, software, IP, and reference designs to streamline the development process for customers. It includes everything from board-level components to advanced IP cores and design tools, allowing engineers to accelerate their product development cycle. At the heart of the platform are Xilinx’s programmable devices, which enable faster adoption of new standards, reduced power consumption, and lower BOM costs. Xilinx’s broadcast-specific platforms are tailored to support a wide range of functions, from video and audio processing to high-speed signal transmission and modulation.
Examples of these platforms include the broadcast connection kit developed with Tokyo Electron Device and the broadcast processing engine, both introduced during IBC. In 2009, Xilinx launched the V6 broadcast connection kit at InterBEE in Japan, showcasing its commitment to delivering innovative and integrated solutions for the broadcast industry.
9. What is the importance of providing IP in cooperation with other companies?
Collaborating with third-party IP providers is crucial for Xilinx to offer a complete and competitive solution for its customers. By working with specialized partners, Xilinx can provide manufacturers with ready-to-use video, audio, and connectivity solutions that significantly speed up the design process. These partnerships not only enhance the functionality of Xilinx’s platforms but also help customers bring their products to market faster and with greater confidence.
10. What is the price of products launched during IBC? When will it be listed?
The Spartan-6 FPGA broadcast connection kit is currently available for purchase at a price of $1,995 and is expected to ship in December. The beta version of the broadcast processing engine is planned for release before the end of the year, with the full version scheduled for Q1 2011.
VSofts’ H.264 AVC-Intra IP core will be added to Xilinx’s Encoding IP portfolio, and the full broadcast industry design platform is set to launch in Q4 2010.
Coreworks’ audio codec IP core is expected to be available in October, starting at $10,000. Additional license fees may apply for Dolby Core usage. Combined IP packages will also be released simultaneously, offering customers flexible and scalable options.
11. The development trend of the broadcasting industry?
With its broad portfolio of solutions, Xilinx is actively engaged in shaping the future of the broadcasting industry. Our experts are working closely with industry leaders to explore and implement cutting-edge technologies such as 3D TV, Ultra HD, digital cinema, H.264, IPTV, IP video, JPEG2000, digital signage, and mobile TV. This collaborative approach ensures that Xilinx remains at the forefront of innovation, delivering powerful and flexible solutions to meet the evolving demands of the broadcast and media sectors.
Cixi Xinke Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. , https://www.cxxinke.com