Tech Shout!

Nvidia has introduced the Tegra family of processors, the world’s first single-chip computer capable of rich high definition and internet experiences. Nvidia Tegra is a tiny computer-on-a-chip which is even smaller than a US dime. The Tegra family is especially made for the new generation of mobile computing devices. Another advantage of it is that it consumes the smallest amount of power.

The Nvidia Tegra APX 2500 processor is the first product in the newly introduced series. It powers Windows Mobile smartphones. The Nvidia Tegra 650 processor comes second in the Tegra line.

Key features of the Nvidia Tegra 650 processor are:

All-day media processing, for 130 hours audio, 30 hours HD video playback

HD image processing for advanced digital still camera and HD camcorder functions

Optimised hardware support for Web 2.0 applications for a true desktop-class internet experience

Display support for 1080p HDMI, WSXGA+ LCD and CRT, and NTSC/PAL TV-Out

Direct support for WiFi, disk drives, keyboard, mouse, and other peripherals

A complete Board Support Package (BSP) to enable fast times to market for Windows Mobile-based designs

“Creating Tegra was a massive challenge. Our vision was to create a platform that will enable the 2nd personal computer revolution – which will be mobile centric, with devices that last days on a single charge, and yet has the web, high definition media, and computing experiences we’ve come to expect from our PC,” said Jen-Hsun Huang, president and CEO at Nvidia. “Shrinking down a 50 watt PC architecture will not create the discontinuity this industry needs. The culmination of nearly 1,000 man years of engineering, Tegra is a completely ground-up computer-on-a-chip architecture that consumes 100 times less power. Mobile internet and computing devices built with Tegra are going to be magical.”

In addition, Nvidia Tegra is a heterogeneous processor architecture with multiple processors, each architected for a specific class of tasks - an 800 MHz ARM CPU, a HD video processor, an imaging processor, an audio processor and an ultra-low power GeForce GPU. These processors are used together or independently to deliver a wonderful experience while utilizing a minute amount of power.

Nvidia Tegra products will reach consumers by the end of the year.