MIPI Alliance announced two new specifications designed
to improve data transport performance in mobile devices.
The M-PHY v1.0 offers an optimized physical layer with
high bandwidth capabilities. The UniPro v1.4 specification builds on the
physical layer to provide a unified, layered protocol stack . Combined, these
two specifications deliver the highest performance and most power-efficient
data transport interface technology available today.
Data traffic on smartphones is forecasted to increase 140
percent from 2010 to 2011. To ensure a positive consumer experience,
mobile devices must rapidly process mass amounts of data. Couple this
processing requirement with the continued need for power reduction, and the
need for high performance interface technology becomes apparent.
In addition to supporting smartphones and
full-function phones, both M-PHY and UniPro are suitable for other applications including tablets/netbooks, digital
cameras, high speed memory storage and multimedia devices. The benefits of
these high bandwidth, high performing interface technologies also address the
needs of any portable consumer electronics device which must process large
amounts of data with a low power threshold.
M-PHY v1.0 is a high bandwidth serial interface with an
exceptionally wide data rate range spanning 10kbps to near 6Gbps. Bandwidth can
be scaled based on the application needs, making M-PHY a very flexible physical
layer. Multiple transmission modes plus a low energy per bit threshold rate
equals significant power efficiency. In addition, M-PHY is optical-friendly,
enabling an optional low-complexity electro-optical signal conversion and
optical data transport.
The M-PHY physical layer is designed as the primary
interface for MIPI’s transport layer UniPro. This connection is accomplished
via UniPort-M, the actual port coupling the two layers. By specifying a dedicated
port, MIPI can ensure that high performance data transport is maintained.
Building on the M-PHY physical layer, UniPro leverages a
stack of protocol layers, serving as a high performance processing pipeline for
data units. It is suitable for a wide range of component types including
application processors, co-processors and modems, as well as different types of
data traffic. UniPro is scalable from a single link to network architecture. By
simplifying the interconnection between disparate devices, UniPro reduces
time-to-market and design costs.
“The M-PHY and UniPro specifications were developed
in cooperation, giving mobile device designers a complete view of the physical
and transport layers. Taken together, these specifications enable unprecedented
improvements in bandwidth flexibility and gains in performance, as well as
reducing design expense and time-to-market,” said Joel Huloux, chairman of the
Board for MIPI Alliance.
By Telecomlead.com Team
[email protected]
