| Discrete graphics processor targets embedded devices |
Apr. 16, 2008
 Chipmaker Via's S3 Graphics division has announced a high-performance discrete graphics processor positioned as the first to meet the embedded industry's thermal requirements. The 4300E targets gaming and signage, supports DirectX 10.1, offers HD video, DVI or HDMI output, and mixes dedicated and shared video memory.
(Click here for a larger view of S3's 4300e)
The vast majority of embedded computers use integrated graphics, with shared video memory. This lowers cost and ensures longevity, but the resulting devices inevitably lag behind their desktop cousins when it comes to video performance and supporting the latest standards.
S3's 4300E, in contrast, is one of the first graphics processors of any kind to support Microsoft's DirectX 10.1, which arrived earlier this year with Windows Vista Service Pack 1. While maintaining compatibility with previous DirectX versions, this release provides an enhanced shader model, better anti-aliasing support, and increased flexibility of data access, according to Microsoft.
S3 Graphics 4000-series function block diagram
(Click to enlarge)
The processor additionally supports OpenGL 2.1, plus accelerated HD video in WMV-9 HD, MPEG-2 HD, VC-1, H.264, DivX and AVS formats. It supports PVP (protected video playback) copy protection, and also allows HD playback of Blu-Ray media with relatively low CPU utilization, S3 says.
The 65nm 4300E can be operated at clock speeds from 300MHz to 650MHz. At 300MHz it runs fanlessly, and at 650MHz it supports GDDR3 (graphics double data rate 3) RAM, with video memory speeds up to 900MHz.
Up to 256MB of GDDR2 or GDDR3 video memory can be dedicated to the 4300E. In addition, S3's "AcceleRAM" technology lets the processor use a combination of dedicated and system memory. Transfers between system memory and the graphics processor take place across the 4300e's PCI Express 2.0-compliant bus, which supports x1, x4, x8, and x16 lane widths.
With Via ASPM (active state power management), Windows Vista can save power by dynamically manipulating individual serial links in a PCI Express fabric. The 4300e supports this feature, offering the choice of x1, x4, x8, and x16 lane widths. Additional power savings accrue from dynamic clock controls and individual execution units that can be turned off when idle, says S3.
Finally, the 4300e supports output to LVDS-interfaced flat panels, DVI, CRTs, and HDMI with HDCP (high-bandwidth digital copy protection). It has built-in dual-link DVI/HDMI transmitters, dual-channel LVDS transmitters, and two analog RAMDACs.
S3 emphasizes the 4300e's WHQL (Windows Hardware Quality Labs) certification for Windows Vista Premium, but the processor is presumably backward-compatible with Windows XP, Windows XP Professional, and other operating systems. An SDK (software development kit) and hardware development kit will be available in June, the company says.
Pricing and availability information for the 4300e was not released. However, the processor is being shown at this week's Embedded Systems Conference (ESC) in San Jose, at the Via Booth (2110).
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