MIPS and Mavrix Technology Collaborate on Mobile SoC Development

Mavrix to Deploy MIPS-Based SoCs Running Android in PMPs, MIDs and Mobile Phones

Fabless US/Chinese chip maker Mavrix Technology is using the MIPS processor core for complete system-on-chip (SoC) solutions for the emerging Mobile Digital TV (MDTV) and portable multimedia market.
Mavrix and MIPS are working closely with companies in MIPS Technologies’ mobile ecosystem to develop a mobile SoC design that leverages the Android platform. Mavrix will target mobile applications including cell phones, portable media players (PMPs) and mobile internet devices (MIDs). Mavrix already has design wins with major Chinese cell phone OEMs using its MIPS-Based SoCs as co-processors for audio/video decoding. This new relationship builds on the companies’ existing relationship and involvement in these cell phone products.

“We have had marked success with MIPS cores, and are pleased to announce that our next-generation MIPS-Based SoCs will run Android for mobile devices including handsets,” said Dr. Zhenyu Zhou, CEO of Mavrix. “Our customers will benefit from the high performance and low power consumption of MIPS Technologies’ cores, and the speed and ease of development that the Android platform can provide. Android on MIPS, combined with our unique technology for multimedia processing, offers a valuable solution to OEMs and ODMs.”

“Android on the MIPS architecture provides a powerful platform for companies to develop unique and differentiated connected devices,” said Art Swift, vice president of marketing, MIPS Technologies. “Mavrix Technology is an innovative company that is on the leading edge of development, leveraging Android on MIPS for a new generation of high-performance, low-power SoCs for cell phones. We are pleased to team with Mavrix and other companies in the evolving MIPS Technologies mobile ecosystem to enable these next-generation products.”

Mavrix provides integrated mobile digital TV (MDTV) receiver and multimedia processor SoC solutions for the handheld market. Tailored specifically to meet Chinese OEM and ODM requirements, Mavrix’s manufacture-ready total solutions help its customers to quickly and cost-effectively add MDTV and movie play functions into handheld devices. Since its establishment in February 2005, Mavrix has raised $16 million in venture capital funding. The company currently has 80 employees with offices in Shanghai, China and Newport Beach, California.  

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Despite the weak economy taking its toll across most consumer markets, portable multimedia devices will thrive i teh next few years, says market researcher In-Stat.
Even the weak economy can’t overcome a broader migration to mobile and portable devices, as indicated by the proliferation of portable electronics categories, says a new report. Portable electronics device shipments will grow more than 10% in 2009 versus 2008. The category, which includes digital radio receivers, e-readers, edutainment toys, handheld game consoles, MP3 players, portable media players (PMPs), and personal navigation devices (PNDs), is expanding to over 400 million units in 2009. By 2013, it will approach 600 million units. While some segments, such as handheld game consoles and MP3 players, have hit maturity and peaked, other segments continue to emerge.
“We’re seeing significant growth in the e-reader segment, as it evolves from a nascent market,” says Stephanie Ethier, In-Stat analyst. “And while MP3 players have peaked, this represents more of a migration to video-capable devices, as shipments of PMPs continue to expand.”

Recent research by In-Stat found the following:

- Shipments of portable entertainment devices in Europe will be 157 million units in 2013. Shipments to Japan will be 58 million.
- Worldwide unit shipments for PNDs (navigation devices) will reach approximately 56 million units in 2012.
- Total worldwide shipments of PMP & MP3 players will reach 225 million in 2009, with Asia-Pacific representing the largest geographic market.
- Worldwide e-reader shipments are expected to grow from almost 1 million units in 2008 to nearly 30 million units in 2013.