1997-08-05 , S/IC-715/460

Expertise In Consumer Multimedia Devices Is Cornerstone To Program

BOSTON, Mass. - August 5, 1997 - Today at Macworld Expo in Boston, Philips Semiconductors Product Group announced the TriMedia™ Independent Software Vendor (ISV) program, designed to support software developers creating code libraries and multimedia applications for the award winning TriMedia media processor.

The ISV program includes training, the TriMedia Software Development Environment, reference boards, and technical support. Developers can chose one of three levels of involvement: Diamond, Platinum and Gold, depending on needs.

"As with any emerging technology, the media processor can only reach its true potential with the support and complete understanding of the developer community," said Frank Caris, software manager for Philips TriMedia Product Group. "Unlike other media processors, Philips has made TriMedia easy to program in C and C⁺⁺ languages. That technology breakthough, combined with the ISV program announced today, creates an essential market opportunity for innovative software developers in a new generation of consumer multimedia devices."

COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM FEATURES

Workshops
The three day forums are targeted to software multimedia and DSP design engineers. The TriMedia ISV workshops deliver the background and skills necessary to design multimedia applications using the TriMedia Software Development Environment (SDE), through hands-on experience with the TriMedia C⁺⁺ language Very Long Instruction Word (VLIW) compiler and development tools.

Topics to be covered include the TriMedia VLIW architecture, multimedia I/O interfaces, system design issues, optimization techniques for C programs and device library APIs. C⁺⁺ programming experience is an important criteria for participants who wish to develop applications for the TriMedia architecture.

To inquire about joining the TriMedia ISV program, please email  art.cohen@sv.sc.philips.com or visit the TriMedia Web site at trimedia.

TriMedia Software Development Environment
All TriMedia ISV program members are provided with the TriMedia SDE, an integrated suite of system software tools supported on UNIX (Sun/Solaris/HP), Win 95/NT, and MPW (beta release) platforms. The SDE includes the TriMedia C⁺⁺ VLIW Compiler, Code Profile Tools, the TriMedia Simulator and the pSOS Real-time Kernel. Program participants also receive regular enhancements for the SDE and documentation updates.

Reference Boards
TriMedia reference boards are provided to the top three member levels as well as board layout and schematics, timing specifications and bill of materials on level of program membership.

Technical Support
Unlimited technical support is provided via email to all program members, as well as access to TriMedia's website, phone support, and a technical point of contact at TriMedia.

Joint Marketing Support
Philips TriMedia provides marketing support for its ISV members. Participants organization and TriMedia related products will be listed on the TriMedia website ( trimedia) and included in the TriMedia Software Directory. In addition TriMedia Marketing Programs will explore mutually beneficial ways to promote members products and services.

Detailed Documentation
The TriMedia ISV program also offers comprehensive electronic technical documentation which provides essential information for developing TriMedia applications, including the DSP/CPU architecture reference manual, programmer's reference manual, I/O interface documentation, cache and memory structure, and timing and pin specifications.

PHILIPS SEMICONDUCTORS
Philips Semiconductors' TriMedia product group was established in 1994 and is based in Sunnyvale, California. The mission of the product group is to bring to market high-performance, programmable multimedia processor technology that will power the next generation of multimedia products at an affordable price.

Philips Semiconductors, Inc., a subsidiary of Philips Electronics North America and an affiliate of Philips Electronics NV, headquartered in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, is the ninth largest semiconductor supplier in the world. Philips Semiconductors' innovations in digital audio, video and mobile technology position the company as a leader in the consumer, multimedia and wireless communications markets. Sales offices are located in all major markets around the world and are supported by regional customer applications labs. Additional information on Philips Semiconductors can be found on the home page at trimedia.