Imageon

Imageon (previously ATI Imageon) was a series of media coprocessors and mobile chipsets produced by ATI (later AMD) in the 2000s, providing graphics acceleration and other multimedia features for handheld devices such as mobile phones and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs). AMD later sold the Imageon mobile handheld graphics division to Qualcomm in 2009, where it was used exclusively inside their Snapdragon SoC processors under the Adreno brand name.

Photo from an iFixit Teardown, showcasing the ATI Imageon 2262 used inside a Motorola RAZR V3i.

History

Many of the Imageon processors were simply camera, multimedia, and display ISP's. Most only provided basic acceleration for 2D graphics, photo, video and audio encoding and decoding. However, they still played an essential role in enabling broad adoption of multimedia (camera and video) capabilities in featurephones, having shipped over 100 million Imageon processors by the start of 2006,[1] and 200 million by early 2007.[2]

Since few of the early Imageon models offered full 3D hardware acceleration, ATI partnered with various middleware companies to offer software 3D rendering capabilities instead, such as the X-Forge 3D SDK produced by FatHammer,[3] as used on the Symbian platform, and on the Tapwave Zodiac.

In 2006, ATI acquired BitBoys, adding additional talent and experience with vector graphics to their mobile and handheld graphics team.

After AMD's acquisition of ATI in 2006, AMD licensed their mobile graphics technology to Qualcomm in April 2007[4] who integrated it into their Snapdragon processor family under their Adreno brand name. AMD subsequently sold off the mobile handheld graphics division to Qualcomm in 2009 for $65M[5] following an earlier sale of the Xilleon branch to Broadcom.

AMD retained the Imageon name and provided support for existing customers, although no future Imageon products were introduced. However, as a result of company restructuring, AMD divested the handheld chipset business starting from the second quarter of 2008, thus the line is deemed officially discontinued.

In total, the Imageon line-up was used in over 50 different mobile device models,[6] and AMD claimed to have shipped nearly 250 million Imageon units to customers since 2003.

Products

Imageon 100

This was a display co-processor for handheld devices released in January 2002, offering both a 2D graphics engine and MPEG decoding support, supporting displays up to 320x240 (or 800x600 if additional RAM is provided).[7] This processor was used in the Toshiba Pocket e740 to assist with video decoding, but required the use of specific software to provide a benefit.[8]

Imageon 3200

The 3200 series was announced in November 2002, and was targeted for use in PDAs, featuring a 2D graphics engine, multimedia playback (MJPEG/JPEG) capabilities, and additional peripheral functions.[9] This processor supported displays up to 320x480.[10] The Imageon 3220 was used in the HP iPAQ hx4700.[11]

ATI Imageon W4200 from Tapwave Zodiac.

Imageon 4200

The ATI W4200 was used in the Tapwave Zodiac gaming handheld PDA, announced in May 2003.[12] Featuring 8MB of RAM, the W4200 was exclusively a 2D graphics and multimedia accelerator, so Tapwave licensed the X-forge software 3D engine to provide 3D graphics capabilities. This product was also found in the Sigmarion 3 Palmtop.

Imageon 22x0 series

These models were primarily 2D graphics and multimedia accelerators, combined with image signal processor (ISP) functions. They improved upon the Imageon 100 and 3200, by offering support for capture of photos and videos from digital camera sensors, as well as supporting multimedia (MPEG4) playback, and higher resolution display screens. The capabilities varied from model to model. Models include the Imageon 2200, 2240, 2250, 2260, 2262, and later, the 2282, and 2182. These processors were used in numerous popular Motorola feature-phones, such as the Motorola Razr V3[13]

Imageon 2300

Announced in January 2004,[14] the Imageon 2300 introduced full 3D hardward acceleration (100M-pix/sec),[15] in addition to 2MP camera support, and multimedia (MPEG4) playback. Having full hardware 3D support enabled OpenGL ES 1.0 and JSR184 gaming on mobile devices via software engines such as Micro3D by Mascot Capsule.

These chips were used in the LG KV3600,[16] and in the LG SV360,[17] which were marketed as 3D gaming phones "offering a console-like gaming experience and ergonomics".[17]

This model competed primarily with the Intel 2700G and GoForce 4500.

Imageon 2282 / 2182

The 2282 and 2182 models were released later on, and enabled additional support for playback of various audio codecs, including AMR, AAC, MP3, Real Audio, WMA and MIDI, as well as support for 3MP camera image sensors.[18] An Imageon 2284 was reportedly used in the HTC X7500,[19] but no details on this model were publicly shared by ATI.

Imageon 2380 / 2388

The 2380 and 2388 processors extend the 3D capabilities of the 2300 to support OpenGL ES 1.1+, as well as additional multimedia playback codecs such as MPEG4 H.264, AAC LC and aacPlus.[20]

Imageon 2192

Introduced with processing support for up to 3.1MP camera sensors.

Imageon TV & Multimedia Processors

Imageon TV. Announced in February 2006, as the first Imageon product in the line featuring Digital Video Broadcasting - Handheld (DVB-H) signal receiving support, allowing handhelds devices to receive digital broadcast TV (DVB-H) signals and enables watching TV programs on these devices, the chipset includes tuner, demodulator, decoder, and a full software stack.

In 2008 AMD launched several additional non-3D multimedia processors under the Imageon brand, including the D160 mobile TV decoder, M180 media processor, M210 audio decoder, A250 applications processor, and Z180 vector graphics (OpenVG 1.x) processor.[21]

The A250 applications processor supported 8MP camera sensors, SD video, dual displays, vector graphics and DVB decoding. The M210 audio decoder enabled Multi-band equalizer, Automatic gain control, 99 db signal-to-noise ratio, and supported over 30 audio codecs including MP3, AAC, AAC+, WMA, AC3, DTS, MIDI with SMAF support, 3D audio, MPEG-4 SLS, FLAC, as well as other 3rd party codecs. Claimed energy efficiency of about 33 mW [22] and featuring integrated power management.

Imageon M100

The Imageon 2294 and 2298 were multimedia processors, but were later renamed under the Imageon M100 series banner. Current top-of-line product, processor includes DVD quality recording and playback, HD TV output, and supports up to a 12-megapixel camera sensor. Products include Imageon M180.

Imageon z4xx Series

The Imageon Z4xx series were launched in February 2008,[21] with the Z430 and z460 being the first Imageon graphics processors compatible with OpenGL ES 2.0.[23] These products were not provided as separate processors, but were delivered as IP cores for licensing and integration in other SoC or Application Processors.[24]

  • Imageon Z460 3D graphics core
    • OpenGL ES 2.0 support
    • Unified shaders
      • Programmable vertex shaders and pixel shaders
    • Support for WVGA (800×480, 848×480, or 854×480) and qHD (960x540) resolutions
    • Claimed on par with high-end portable game consoles in terms of performance[25]
  • Imageon Z180 vector graphics core
    • Hardware OpenVG 1.x rendering acceleration
    • Claimed 20-40x faster than software-based implementations[25]
    • Support for HD resolution
    • 16X antialiasing for fonts and vector graphics
    • Flash support for web application
    • Energy efficiency

The Z430 IP was licensed by Freescale and the IP core was synthesized in selected application processors from the i.MX 5 series.

Relationship with Qualcomm

The Z430 IP was also licensed by Qualcomm in 2007,[26] to improve the graphics capabilities of their Snapdragon SoC's. The Imageon Z430 was incorporated into the Qualcomm MSM7x27 and QSD8x50 series of processors, being rebranded as the Adreno 200.[27] In 2009 AMD sold their entire handheld graphics division to Qualcomm for $65 million,[5] transferring all Imageon assets, IP and employees to Qualcomm. As of 2019, Qualcomm continues to produce mobile SoC's with graphics capabilities branded under the Adreno name.

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See also
  • Adreno - The series of graphics processors developed by Qualcomm, starting from Imageon IP.
  • Zeebo - An unspecific Imageon graphics processor was used in the Zeebo game console, launched in 2009.
  • Intel 2700G - competing mobile graphics processors
  • GoForce - competing mobile graphics processors

References
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  2. "AMD Ushers in Breathtaking Multimedia for Mobile Devices with Next-Generation AMD Imageon™ Media Processors". 16 November 2007. Archived from the original on 16 November 2007. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  3. "Fathammer Ltd. COMPANY PROFILE". 25 November 2005. Archived from the original on 25 November 2005. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  4. "AMD Licenses 3D Graphics Core Technology to QUALCOMM, Delivering The Ultimate Visual Experience™ to Tomorrow's Phones". 14 March 2009. Archived from the original on 14 March 2009. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  5. Ferguson, Scott (January 20, 2009). "AMD Sells Handset Division to Qualcomm for $65 million". eWeek. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  6. "ATI Handheld Products". 17 February 2009. Archived from the original on 17 February 2009. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  7. "Investor Relations - News Releases - Press Release". 25 October 2006. Archived from the original on 25 October 2006. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  8. Duwe, Colin. "Toshiba Pocket PC e740 - handheld - Windows Mobile 2002 - 3.5 review: Toshiba Pocket PC e740 - handheld - Windows Mobile 2002 - 3.5". CNET. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  9. "IMAGEON"! 3200". 12 October 2004. Archived from the original on 12 October 2004. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
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  11. "HP iPaq hx4700 Review". Brighthand.com. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  12. "Investor Relations - News Releases - Press Release". 25 October 2006. Archived from the original on 25 October 2006.
  13. "Investor Relations - News Releases - Press Release". 25 October 2006. Archived from the original on 25 October 2006. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  14. "Investor Relations - News Releases - Press Release". 25 October 2006. Archived from the original on 25 October 2006. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
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  19. at 12:58, Tony Smith 1 Feb 2007. "Dopod UMPC launch lifts HTC Athena's skirt". www.theregister.co.uk. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  20. "ATI Raises the Bar of Handheld 3D Graphics with the Imageon® 2380 and Imageon® 2388". 25 October 2006. Archived from the original on 25 October 2006. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  21. "AMD Sharpens Focus On Latest Multimedia Technologies To Create Immersive Mobile Entertainment Experiences". Archived from the original on 14 March 2009. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  22. "AMD Handheld Multimedia Technology – Unleash The Ultimate Mobile Entertainment Experience" (PDF). AMD. 2008-02-12. p. 17. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 23, 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-15. ~32mW Audio Subsystem for playing from SD/NAND (900mAh/3.7V battery; 150mVrms into 16 Ω headphones).
  23. "AMD Next-Generation OpenGL® ES 2.0 Graphics Technology Achieves Industry Conformance". 15 March 2009. Archived from the original on 15 March 2009. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  24. "AMD announces multimedia solutions for handhelds". The Tech Report. 12 February 2008. Retrieved 15 September 2019.
  25. "Product fact sheet for Imagon Z460 and Z180" (PDF). AMD. 2008-02-12. p. 17. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 23, 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-15. [baseline performance] measured on ARM9 Versatile (ARM926EJ-S) at 210 MHz using a commercially available software rasterizer.
  26. "AMD Licenses 3D Graphics Core Technology to QUALCOMM, Delivering The Ultimate Visual Experience™ to Tomorrow's Phones". Retrieved 15 September 2019.
  27. Hinum, Klaus. "Qualcomm Adreno 200". Notebookcheck. Retrieved 15 September 2019.
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