FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Japanese Release

Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. Fujitsu Limited 1999-0201

Fujitsu Develops Single-Chip MPEG-2 Encoder System

-- Realizes enhanced picture quality and customizability with minimum hardware size and power consumption --

Tokyo, October 7, 1999---Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. and Fujitsu Limited have developed an MPEG-2(1) fully compatible encoder system that integrates video, audio and system encoders all on a single chip. The new system LSI, or system-on-chip, takes advantage of the high- performance MPEG-2 compression algorithm and is expected to be a key component for realizing higher performance and more compact digital audiovisual equipment, such as disk recorders, camcorders, etc. Fujitsu has also developed a compact MPEG codec (encoder and decoder) module using the chip. These items will be exhibited at TELECOM 99 + Interactive 99, the preeminent international information and telecommunications technology exhibition, in Geneva, Switzerland from October 10 through 17 (Hall 5, Stand #5030).

Background

MPEG-2 digital compression and decompression technology greatly reduces the data rate required to handle digital audiovisual data, thereby enabling more effective utilization of channel bandwidth in digital broadcasting and storage capacity in such media as DVD. Recent advances in digital storage media technology have enabled digital video recording and authoring at home with such new capabilities as random access, time shift recording/playback, etc. This trend is expected to lead to the replacement of existing analog VCRs/camcorders with fully digital disk recording equipment. At the same time, many new technologies that realize higher bandwidth and controlled QoS are reaching a practical level and will expand full- fledged, higher quality audiovisual streaming applications over the Internet/intranets. The development of a high-performance and highly integrated MPEG encoder engine has been considered essential to realizing such applications at reasonable cost.

New Technology Overview

Fujitsu's new system LSI comprises a previously developed MPEG-2 video encoder LSI, a 16bit DSP for audio encoding and a 32bit RISC processor with optimized VLSI architecture and implemented with 0.25um CMOS technology. This achievement reduces conventional MPEG-2 encoder circuitry -- which previously required at least 4 VLSI chips -- to a single-chip device measuring about 1/5 the area. Owing to the inclusion of a RISC processor controlled by firmware, the chip can be adapted to accommodate a wide variety MPEG applications/syntaxes. In addition, a unique quality enhancement algorithm and one-pass VBR (variable bitrate) coding algorithm(2) are provided. Moreover, an adaptive pre-filtering function and TBC(3) (Time Base Corrector) function implemented in the chip contribute to realize enhanced and stable picture quality for various inputs.

Technology Details

• Main specifications

  Clock frequency	54MHz(Input clock is 27MHz)
  Input voltage	2.5 +/- 0.2V (I/O: 3.3 +/- 0.3V)
  Package	208pin plastic QFP
  Power consumption	1.5W(at regular input voltage)
  Process technology	0.25um CMOS, 4 layer wiring
  Number of transistors	7.4 million

• Main features and functions
  • Supports wide range of bit rates ranging from several tens of kbps to 20Mbps
  • Supports both CBR (constant bit rate) and VBR (variable bit rate) coding
  • Realizes a simple command interface via serial port or host interface
  • Supports following international coding standards:
    • Video coding
      - ISO/IEC13818-2(MPEG-2 video) MP@ML
      - ISO/IEC11172-2(MPEG-1 video)
    • Audio coding
      - ISO/IEC11172-3(MPEG-1audio) layers 1 and 2
    • System multiplex/coding
      - ISO/IEC13818-1(MPEG-2 systems PS and TS formats)
      - ISO/IEC11172-1(MPEG-1 systems)

Technical terms:

(1) MPEG-2 (Moving Picture coding Experts Group Phase 2)
The nickname of an international standard developed by ISO (International Organization for Standardization) that realizes a generic digital coding of moving pictures and associated audio information.

(2) One-pass VBR (variable bitrate) coding algorithm
VBR coding is currently used in content authoring for DVD etc. In these systems, the encoding operation is performed several times to meet the capacity of the media and to realize the best possible quality. Hence, it is difficult to apply VBR coding to real-time applications such as handy camcorders. The one-pass VBR coding algorithm removes the above drawbacks and make it possible to apply VBR coding to real-time applications by using a highly sophisticated data rate control algorithm based on scene prediction.

(3) TBC (Time Base Corrector)
A function to compensate for degraded video signal (sync signal, in particular) generated by analog VCRs, etc. and to prevent malfunction in the digital encoding process.

* Company/product names mentioned may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders and are used for identification purpose only.

About Fujitsu Limited

Fujitsu Limited (TSE: 6702) is a leading provider of comprehensive information technology and network solutions for the global marketplace. Comprising over 500 group companies and affiliates worldwide -- including ICL, Amdahl and DMR Consulting Group -- the Fujitsu Group had consolidated revenues of 5.24 trillion yen ($43.3 billion) in the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999. With world-class hardware and software technology in computers, telecommunications and microelectronics, and a corps of 55,000 systems and services experts around the world, Fujitsu is uniquely positioned to harness the power of the network to help its customers succeed. Altogether, the Fujitsu Group has 188,000 employees and operations in over 100 countries.
Home page: http://www.fujitsu.com/

Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd.

Founded in 1968 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu Limited, Fujitsu Laboratories Limited is one of the premier research centers in the world. With five laboratories in Japan and one in the United States, the organization conducts a wide range of basic and applied research in the areas of Multimedia, Personal Systems, Networks, Peripherals, Advanced Materials and Electronic Devices.

Press Contacts:
Toru Ozaki, Bob Pomeroy, Scott Ikeda  Fujitsu Limited, Public Relations  Tel: +81-3-3215-5236 (Tokyo)  Fax: +81-3-3216-9365
Technical Contact:
Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd  e-mail: sakai@flab.fujitsu.co.jp