GDA Technologies, Nethra Imaging Develop Smart Phone Reference Platform with Auto Focus Camera Functionality -- Reference Platform Speeds Development Time and Increases PDA Functionality

MONTEREY, Calif.- Nethra Imaging and GDA Technologies, Inc. have jointly developed a modular smart phone reference design with an auto focus camera. Based on Freescale Semiconductor’s i.MX31 multimedia applications processor, the platform utilizes the digital still camera-like image processing technology available in Nethra’s NI-2060 programmable processor to provide print-quality camera functionality. The smart phone reference platform helps manufacturers significantly reduce development time of enhanced multimedia-featured smart phones with complete camera functionality.

Nethra Imaging, a privately held developer of imaging solutions for consumer applications, will be demonstrating this reference design at the Oct. 24 Tech Fair at the inaugural 6Sight (www.6Sight.com) Future of Imaging conference in Monterey, Calif.

“GDA and Nethra Imaging have teamed to develop a platform that addresses the needs of handset and PDA manufacturers as they continue to introduce increasingly feature-rich smart phones for both personal and business users,” said Tony Henning, senior analyst for Mobile Imaging at Future Image. “This reference design gives OEMs the ability to reduce both the time and cost of developing smart phones while offering enhanced camera features such as Nethra is addressing with its imaging technology.”

Reference design

GDA Technologies, a fast-growing IP and Electronic Design Services (EDS) company, designed the board to provide a complete set of video display and wireless subsystems that allow it to convert from a mid-level to a high-end feature phone. OEMs can evaluate different subsystems such as GSM/EDGE, WiFi, Bluetooth, LCD and camera.

Manufacturers can optimize their designs by choosing from several hardware and software bundles, including a complete set of display/video and wireless subsystem drivers that convert the system into a mid- to high-end PDA or smart phone. Designers receive a modular hardware platform, complete GUI based upon OPIE and a choice of Operating Systems, including embedded Linux, Microsoft Windows Smartphone and Symbian.

“Nethra’s sophisticated image processing technology brings additional value and performance to GDA’s i.MX31-based development platform,” said Manu Pillai, director of marketing of GDA Technologies. “Wireless manufacturers can use the platform to explore various options and for their own software development using the resources provided by GDA in their i.MX development kit, thereby speeding up the design exploration and product development process tremendously – while reducing the risk of doing so.”

“Mobile devices such as cell phones and PDAs will continue to converge into a single device with multiple functions,” said Pulin Desai, director of marketing, Nethra Imaging. “The successful integration of our NI-2060 image processor with an industry-leading multimedia application processor such as Freescale’s i.MX31 allows the cell phone camera to act as a scanner as well. Instead of exchanging business cards, individuals can capture a scanned image of a business card and store it in their cell phone.”

NI-2060 image processor family

The programmable processor family provides performance, flexibility and low power for a wide range of digital consumer applications, including mobile-handset camera modules and PC Webcam applications.

The NI-2060, part of Nethra’s family of image processing system-on-chip solutions, is a fully flexible and programmable solution that outperforms DSPs and ASICs in handling up to 3.2 megapixel imaging and provides added flexibility beyond the performance of ASICs. Scalable performance allows system designers the flexibility to meet a range of customer needs. The NI-20xx products embed software needed to tune the picture quality and system control in the embedded flash. Mobile handset OEMs can concentrate on developing a camera application that communicates with the camera sub-system via simple I2C commands. This development approach reduces time-to-market and provides the best picture quality from the mobile-handset camera.

About Nethra

Nethra Imaging is a privately held semiconductor company focused on delivering imaging solutions for a wide range of digital consumer applications. The company uses proprietary algorithms to build flexible, fully programmable image processor chips for mobile imaging and PC video capture applications. Incorporated in 2003, Nethra is located in Cupertino, Calif., and began full operations in January 2004. The company's leaders are a team of established entrepreneurs with a wealth of experience in imaging and silicon development. Nethra is venture-backed and entered the market in 2005 with a family of image processors for the rapidly growing mobile handset camera market. For more information, visit www.nethra.us.com.

About GDA Technologies

GDA Technologies Inc. is a leading Electronic Design Services (EDS) and Silicon Intellectual Property (SIP) having extensive experience with Freescale PowerQUICC, PowerPC and i.MX architectures for the embedded, networking, and consumer electronics markets. GDA specializes in designing ASICs, FPGAs, IPs, boards, SoCs, software and complete systems from concept to product. For more info, please visit www.gdatech.com