1998-09-08 , S/IC-2037/66
Product News From Philips Semiconductors

New Features Enable Faster Multimedia Application Development; Seamless Integration with Metrowerks CodeWarrior

Philips Semiconductors today announced significant enhancements to its suite of software tools, the TriMedia™ Software Development Environment (SDE). As part of the new TriMedia SDE, Philips Semiconductors will provide support for Metrowerks^® CodeWarrior^® plug-ins. The TriMedia SDE also includes improved profiling and debugging tools, and the TriMedia Streaming Software Architecture (TSSA).

The Metrowerks CodeWarrior plug-ins for the TriMedia SDE allow programmers to develop C code using the popular CodeWarrior Integrated Professional Development Environment (IDE) and compile it for the TriMedia processor. The Metrowerks Professional IDE uses the TriMedia VLIW optimizing the compiler and scheduler.

The TriMedia Streaming Software Architecture (TSSA) is a framework for application software so that signal processing modules can be connected and coexist in a multiprocessing application. This standardization enables modular programming for complex multimedia applications. For example, a developer can use TSSA-compliant code modules for AC-3^® decoding, MPEG-2 decoding and VRML processing in a variety of applications without modification.

The TriMedia SDE is based on Philips Semiconductors' breakthrough in VLIW instruction scheduling technology, which harnesses the power of VLIW architectures by scheduling all instructions during compilation. This approach eliminates the expense, complexity and latency of using run-time hardware for instruction scheduling. The compiler and development tools support application development and program optimization entirely in C or C++. The TriMedia SDE also supports new C-callable special multimedia operations for the latest TriMedia processors.

"This enhanced TriMedia SDE is another milestone in our efforts to make multimedia applications easier and faster to develop," said Dr. Ayub Khan, director of software development, Philips Semiconductors TriMedia Business Line. "We've advanced the fundamental compiler technology to harness the tremendous power of VLIW processors and made them affordable and easy to program."

"The combination of the TriMedia SDE and Metrowerks CodeWarrior makes developing powerful multimedia applications for media processors as easy as a general purpose processor," said Greg Galanos, president and Chief Technology Officer, Metrowerks. "Strategic relationships with innovative companies such as Philips Semiconductors make Metrowerks' world-class tools available to a broader group of multimedia designers."

"The exceptional TriMedia SDE tools allowed us to quickly develop and port high-end applications for our Polycom Viewstation group videoconferencing system," said Craig Malloy, general manager, videoconferencing division, Polycom. "In evaluating several development tools, the TriMedia SDE was clearly the best choice in enabling us to bring products to market faster and adapt our products as markets and technologies change."

Pricing and Availability

The TriMedia SDE is included as part of Philips Semiconductors' TriMedia Developers Kit and is available standalone through partners such as Momentum Data Systems. The suggested price of the TriMedia SDE is US$ 1,495. Additional information on the TriMedia SDE can be found on the TriMedia home page at  www.trimedia.philips.com

Metrowerks CodeWarrior software with TriMedia SDE plug-ins will be available in October through Metrowerks and its authorized resellers, for US$ 3,000. CodeWarrior, bundled with a TriMedia Reference Design Board, will be available from Momentum Data Systems for US$ 5,995.

Philips Semiconductors, a division of Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV, headquartered in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, is the ninth largest semiconductor supplier in the world and the third largest supplier of discretes 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 systems labs.

TriMedia is a trademark of Royal Philips Electronics NV. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.