Ceva, the leading licensor of signal processing IP for smart, connected devices, has just announced a new processor framework for 5G, dubbed the CEVA-X2.
The processor IP will be at the heart of next-generation silicon chipsets and is designed to combine real-time controller attributes with digital signal processor (DSP) capabilities, for applications such as connectivity and Machine-Type-Communications on 5G phones and Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
It’s said to be smaller and 10% - 25% more power efficient than its predecessor, the CEVA-X4, in use cases where the emphasis is on physical layer (PHY) control processing, as will often be the case with 5G and LTE-Advanced-Pro. For example, where the PHY Datapath tasks such as per-channel measurement and decoding are not required to run on the DSP.
For this it promises a 30% - 65% better die size efficiency. It also promises strong performance even in complex use cases and is supposedly ideal to run both the PHY and MAC for a range of other communication standards.
Michael Boukaya, vice president and general manager, Wireless Business Unit at CEVA, said: "The new CEVA-X architecture framework addresses the DSP 'design gap' that exists for companies developing next-generation modems, including those targeting LTE-Advanced Pro and 5G.
“Many existing DSP architectures simply don't have the performance to tackle these advanced use cases efficiently. The CEVA-X2 brings a host of powerful features that address the key challenges for multi-RAT PHY control processing, ensuring outstanding performance and power efficiency for even the most complex use cases."
Useful reading: What is LTE-Advanced Pro?
Editorial Manager
James has been writing for us for over 10 years. Currently, he is Editorial Manager for our group of companies ( 3G.co.uk, 4G.co.uk and 5G.co.uk) and sub-editor at TechRadar. He specialises in smartphones, mobile networks/ technology, tablets, and wearables.
In the past, James has also written for T3, Digital Camera World, Clarity Media, Smart TV Radar, and others, with work on the web, in print and on TV. He has a film studies degree from the University of Kent, Canterbury, and has over a decade’s worth of professional writing experience.
