Renesas licenses SMSC technology

SMSC and Renesas Technology have reached a licensing agreement enabling Renesas to use SMSC technology, providing Digital Transmission Content Protection (DTCP) for DVD audio and video.

SMSC and Renesas Technology have reached a licensing agreement enabling Renesas to use SMSC technology, providing Digital Transmission Content Protection (DTCP) for DVD audio and video, including copy-protected DVDs.

Renesas is also licensing SMSC's MediaLB technology, supported by SMSC's network interface controllers for its Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST).

MOST is a de facto industry standard for automotive multimedia networking deployed by virtually every major European car maker.

Mandated by the rules of the DVD Copy Control Association, an organisation including content owners, DTCP protects digital DVD audio and video transported over a network.

MediaLB is the chip interconnect standard needed for connecting to SMSC's new network interface controllers for MOST.

By licensing SMSC's HDL IP blocks for DTCP and MediaLB, Renesas will be able to integrate the technology into automotive Application Specific Standard Products (ASSPs) and Application Specific Custom Products (ASCPs) with seamless connectivity to all existing and upcoming MOST speed grades and physical layers, while enabling the transmission of digital content over MOST networks.

MOST multimedia networking technology enables new classes of multimedia applications in automobiles.

It facilitates the efficient transport of real-time streaming multimedia, control and packet information over a single optical fibre or twisted pair wire, eliminating the need to run multiple wires throughout a vehicle, and enables car makers to decentralise 'infotainment functions' into various components distributed around the vehicle.

"Renesas' selection of the MediaLB interface demonstrates the commitment of Renesas to supporting SMSC's multimedia networking technology", said Herbert Hetzel, Managing Director of SMSC's Automotive Infotainment Systems group.

"Integrating DTCP functionality also enables Renesas to deliver new applications supporting the DVD Copy Control Association's requirements for securely transporting content over a digital network".

"This license enables us to quickly market new ASSPs/ASCPs integrating SMSC's market-proven networking technology, which automotive manufacturers have widely accepted to efficiently connect multimedia applications and distribute content", said Shiro Baba, General Manager of the Automotive Semiconductor Business Unit, System Solution Business Group, Renesas Technology.

"We have established a leadership position in providing a wide variety of automotive solutions and powerful IP especially for Car Information System (CIS)/ Telematics with high performance car navigation CPUs".

"Now, with SMSC's IP for DTCP and MediaLB, we will provide a more attractive solution for MOST-enabled ASSP/ASCPs".

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