Renesas’ New Middleware Product Lineup

Renesas has recently released middleware for Terrestrial Digital Broadcast Reception. This development is in an effort to bolster its line of solutions for automotive information devices, that supports ISDB-T  (Integrated Service Digital Broadcasting Terrestrial) technology for information systems in the automotive field.

Automotive information devices have traditionally always been single-function products. For example, the car’s GPS system, in the cloud, and IT technologies like smartphones need a safer option within the car’s  multimedia realm. There was a need to monitor the outside actions of the car to be noted from inside the vehicle. Hence, multimedia systems with higher performativity face difficulties in the light of new technologies. New software needed to be developed to supplement these systems.

Renesas has produced many middleware products. One-segment ISDB-T broadcast reception for car navigation was released in 2005, as Renesas led the market in releasing state-of-the-art middleware products. In 2009, Renesas developed a full-segmented ISDB-T broadcast reception line of middleware for in-car navigation. Renesas’ products, including the SoC for automotive information devices, R-Car H2 and the R-Car M3, have also been wonderful accolades for the company.

Currently, Renesas is providing middleware for terrestrial digital broadcast reception that supports the R-Car H2 and R-Car M2 SoC products. The R-Car series has been assembled using all background schema from their previously released technologies. Renesas’ prior efforts made for an easier development of their new middleware solutions. With this technology, Renesas has developed terrestrial digital broadcasting viewing reception systems for information equipment pertaining to automobiles.

There are many important features that the new middleware contains. It is optimized for the hardware, controlling the video image processing in a systematic manner, allowing synthesis, enlargement, reduction, and IP conversion to occur. The R-Car H2 and R-Car M2 hardware included allows maximum performance to occur. Terrestrial broadcast viewing systems are employed without using complex hardware in the user system.

There are powerful error tolerance functions in the middleware, since it is required in automotive information devices. This provides fade processing for audio noise reduction and video complementation processing that uses concealing processing — it increases missing data, allowing smooth audio and video to emit even when the broadcast reception is not strong. This function enables seamless television viewing even when vehicle motion jostles the reception conditions.

There are control flows that monitor the varied multimedia requirements.  Since systems need to be constructed with high functionality for multimedia functions. An example of this would be a two-screen output and running multiple applications simultaneously. The middleware rapidly responds to the multiple tasks being carried out. The control flow manages the bandwidth for video, audio, and instruction data. As a result, Renesas’ new product helps implement stable terrestrial digital broadcast viewing systems for these data needs.

The middleware also takes away compression processing that could result in sub-par video quality. Products will be developed with this technology to support many methods of usage for the desired level of performance. Soon, Renesas will provide middleware that supports the standards of overseas TV broadcasting. Samples of Renesas’ middleware have been available since the beginning of December. 

And don’t forget about Renesas’ “Power of Two” promotion, since it’s back by popular demand. The great deal has returned, combining the forces of Renesas and Micrium. Customers can get a free production license from Micrium’s multitasking system, Kernel, and will receive middleware. The customer can take advantage of free support and maintenance from Micrium during the course of a year of development. Renesas' RX or RL78 MCU must be used in a commercial application. Users who apply may also receive a free license seat for IAR Embedded Workbench, the C/C++ complier and debugger tool site.

The universal graphical software for embedded applications, µC/GUI, is also available through this promotion, including touchscreen support. It adapts to virtually any size and virtual display with an LCD controller and computer, delivering with an all source code.

Sign up for Renesas’ The Power of Two promotion today!

Story via Renesas