A solar-powered car (right). An ultra-HD 3D wall. Smart light bulbs. A massage chair. A wristband for sports and wellness apps. A private drone that flies and records HD video...where can you see all these amazing things?
At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, that's where. And if you're not there—or can't see everything—all of the above items, and much more, are depicted in our live blogging site from CES 2014. Photos and text will appear in real time during CES (Jan. 7-10) and be archived at the site afterwards. You're welcome to simply view the site, "like," or comment.
But why, you may ask, is an IP and EDA vendor such as Cadence exhibiting at CES?
Because Cadence Tensilica IP is behind many of the consumer devices shown at CES, that's why. As the booth theme suggests, this dataplane IP is "putting the WOW" into audio, voice, and speech processing with HiFi DSPs. Over 50 top tier semiconductor companies and system OEMs are using HiFi DSPs, and the software is already ported for immediate development.
Cadence is also demonstrating its IVP image/video processor IP. This DSP promises a breakthrough in terms of energy efficiency and performance, and it enables applications that were previously impossible in a programmable device. It is designed to handle complex algorithms for functions such as multi-frame image capture, video pre- and post-processing, video stabilization, HDR image and video processing, object and face recognition, and low-light image enhancement.
Visitors to the Cadence booth can learn about many other applications for Tensilica dataplane processing units (DPUs) and DSPs. Several hands-on demos are available. At right, a visitor checks out the HDSX audio demo, powered by Cadence Tensilica audio IP.
Granted, solar-powered cars and private drones are going to attract more crowds and more media attention than Cadence Tensilica IP. But that IP has made much of what you see at CES possible. Meanwhile, enjoy the live blog!
Richard Goering
Note: Corrie Callenbach (left), who manages the customer relation program at Cadence, is leading the live blog effort from CES 2014.