Multimedia processor put to the test

Detailed benchmark score reports for the Freescale i.MX31 can now be obtained from the EEMBC website.

The Embedded Microprocessor Benchmark Consortium has published new certified benchmark scores for the ARM processor-based Freescale i.MX31 multimedia applications processor.

Tested with the ARM RealView RVCT 3.1 build 559 compiler, the new results supersede a previous set of certified scores using a GCC version 3.43 compiler and limited - O2 optimisations.

The 532MHz Freescale i.MX31 was tested in an out-of-the-box environment against four EEMBC benchmark suites - AutoBench 1.1, ConsumerBench 1.1, OABench 1.1 and TeleBench 1.1 - yielding extensive data on the processor's expected performance in automotive/industrial, digital imaging, office automation and fixed telecomms applications.

Original scores were certified running under the Linux OS; the new scores were certified running without an OS.

"The ARM compiler helped the i.MX31 achieve up to a 2x increase in performance with one benchmark, and a 43% increase in overall performance with all four benchmarks over an earlier version of the GCC compiler", said EEMBC President Markus Levy.

"These new benchmark scores demonstrate the benefits of ensuring that developers take advantage of the latest in compiler optimisations and technologies".

Freescale's i.MX31 processor, with a vector floating point coprocessor and L2 cache, is designed for wireless devices, such as portable media players and portable navigation devices, running computationally intensive multimedia applications.

Based on an ARM1136JF-S processor, its target devices include feature rich smartphones, digital video recorders, digital cameras, mobile gaming consoles, mobile multimedia players, and many other mobile wireless applications.

The ARM compiler, part of the RealView Development Suite 3.1, is designed to enable developers to get the best performance out of their ARM processor-based devices.

ARM develops its compiler technology in conjunction with its processor technology to offer superior performance at the lowest possible memory cost.

"ARM uses the EEMBC benchmarks extensively during the development of our industry-leading processors and compilers, and these industry-recognised results show that we continue to be ahead of the field in delivering maximum real-world performance and power efficiency for a wide range of mobile and consumer applications", said Eric Schorn, Vice President of Marketing, Processors Division, ARM.

Detailed benchmark score reports for the Freescale i.MX31 with ARM RealView RVCT 3.1 are available for free from the EEMBC website.

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