Product category:
Intellectual Property Cores
News Release from: MIPS Technologies
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 31 January 2001
Hughes standardises on MIPS architecture
MIPS Technologies and Hughes Network Systems (HNS), have announced a three-year agreement to design next-generation set-top box DIRECTV systems.
MIPS Technologies and Hughes Network Systems (HNS), have announced a three-year agreement to design next-generation set-top box DIRECTV systems Additionally, HNS announced that it has standardised all its system design activities on the 32bit MIPS architecture, which includes HNS' wireless networking products
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 23 Feb 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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Under the terms of this agreement, MIPS Technologies will provide HNS with advanced simulation tools in HNS' computing environments, which will significantly speed up the simulation and verification of highly complex system-on-chips (SoCs).
These tools speed verification time by up to 160%, enabling first-time correct design.
HNS will use the MIPS32 4Kc microprocessor core, which is the industry's leading core for customer premise equipment in the networking market.
HNS will introduce the line of DIRECTV set-top boxes incorporating the MIPS-based SoC in the third quarter of 2001, and will work closely with MIPS Technologies on the design of future platforms.
Last summer HNS shipped over five million set-top boxes, a dramatic increase from the one million milestone set in January 1999.
Analysts predict the set-top box market is poised for tremendous growth.
Worldwide projections show the number of digital set-top boxes will grow from 12.1 million in 2000 to 57.1 million in 2006, according to Jon Peddie, president of the research analysis firm Jon Peddie Associates.
"MIPS Technologies will be able to leverage its position in the market due to its products' highly agile and flexible architecture, ideally suited for digital set-top boxes", he said.
"Teaming up with a market leader like HNS further strengthens that position".
"We believe the MIPS core will give us the power to provide never-before-seen performance and functionality in our next-generation set-top boxes", said Dick Armstrong, vice president of HNS' consumer division.
"HNS has shipped more than five million set-top boxes and this arrangement with MIPS Technologies will help us keep our leadership position by enabling us to deliver the best products in the shortest timeframe.
MIPS Technologies' highly flexible architecture, its business model and large availability of processor cores for complex SoC designs gives us the ability to provide enhanced product features and to dramatically reduce time to market".
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