Apple picks Motorola MPU for image platform

Electronic News, May 27, 1996

Mountainview, Calif.--Extending the scaleability of the PowerPC architecture into the digital camera market, Motorola's High Performance Embedded Systems Division today announced that Apple has selected the recently-introduced MPC823 microprocessor for use with its Image Capture Platform, also announced last week.

The recently introduced MPC823 chip (EN, May 13) is touted by Motorola as a platform for digital camera developers to build their next generation products. Its combination of microprocessor hardware and imaging software is designed to provide digital camera developers with the resources necessary to design customized applications for cameras and other image capture devices.

At the heart of Apple's Image Capture Platform is Apple's QuickTime IC (Image Capture) technology. This technology combines a multitasking, real-time operating system with application programming interfaces (APIs) built specifically for image capture devices based on an embedded microprocessor, such as the MPC823. These APIs allow ISVs, system integrators and digital camera vendors to create in-camera time-lapse photography, direct connection to the Internet and sharing and transmitting of images that don't require a computer.

By incorporating the embedded DSP capabilities of Motorola's MPC823 chip into Apple's Image Capture Platform, developers will be able to reduce the cost associated with storing images in the memory of a digital imaging device. Today's digital cameras store images by compressing them through various ASICs, which is expensive. The MPC823, however, reduces the cost of storing images through integrated DSP functionality, which has been optimized for image compression and decompression. This, in turn, enables designers to reduce development time for product enhancements and improvements, and provides the flexibility to create unique imaging solutions, such as time lapse photography and panoramic images.

Ken Edwards, marketing manager for Motorola's portable systems operation, commented "By combining Motorola's semiconductor technology and expertise with Apple's proven experience in imaging devices, we will be able to deliver a reference design to the digital imaging market which provides an open system with standard interfaces to specific controls and functions of the digital camera architecture."

This new platform will support a large installed base of digital imaging products from a variety of vendors, thus bringing greater value and performance to customers and greater opportunities to developers. Motorola, along with third parties such as Software Development Systems, Diab Data, Metaware, Metrowerks, Microware and Wind River offer software, development tools and support packages.

The dual-processor architecture of the MPC823 combines an embedded PowerPC core for application programming use and a special purpose Communication Processor Module (CPM) with embedded signal processing and peripherals uniquely designed for communication needs. The CPM features an embedded DSP (digital signal processing) function, which allows the MPC823 to execute imaging algorithms in parallel with the PowerPC microprocessor core for maximum performance and low power consumption.

The peripherals are capable of providing functions for communications and user interface enhancements as well as the I/O support needed for high speed digital communications. The MPC823 microprocessor is compatible with Motorola's mixed-signal ASIC technology, enabling developers to design custom ASICs to interface to a digital camera's CCD (charge-coupled device) for autofocus, auto exposure, auto white-balance and pixel-conversion capability. The pixel converter and parts of the power manager are unique Apple Image Capture Platform technologies.