MediaTek presenta un nuovo SoC pensato per Android Things e Google Assistant

Edoardo Carlo
Edoardo Carlo
MediaTek presenta un nuovo SoC pensato per Android Things e Google Assistant

Dei tanti progetti su cui Google è al lavoro, quello riguardante l'IoT (Internet of Things) ricopre una posizione tutt'altro che secondaria, come confermato dall'incessante lavoro di perfezionamento di Google Assistant (che parlerà italiano entro l'anno) e il recente rilascio della quarta Developer Preview di Android Things, il sistema operativo pensato proprio per coniugare l'IoT con Android e Assistant. Fino ad ora i partner hardware di Google nel progetto erano principalmente Intel e Qualcomm, da poco alla lista si è aggiunta anche MediaTek.

L'azienda taiwanese ha infatti appena presentato un nuovo SoC pensato appositamente per Android Things e Google Assistant. Il Soc, chiamato in codice MT8516, è basato sulla piattaforma ARM a 64 bit: si tratta di un quad core Cortex-A35 con clock di 1,3 GHz e include il supporto al WiFi b/g/n a 2,4 GHz e al Bluetooth 4.0. Essendo rivolto a dispositivi basati su Assistant, è in grado di registrare l'audio a più canali con un sistema di cancellazione dei rumori ambientali, per aumentare l'accuratezza d'ascolto della voce dell'utente.

Contestualmente alla presentazione, MediaTek ha affermato di aspettarsi che i primi dispositivi basati su questo SoC verranno lanciati sul mercato nel Q4 del 2017.

MediaTek Launches Chipset Supporting the Google Assistant and Android Things

HSINCHU, Taiwan – May 17, 2017 — MediaTek Inc. today introduced its newest full-featured chipset designed to enable Voice Assistant Devices (VADs) and smart speakers, including the Google Assistant. MediaTek also announced support for MT8516 based Android Things pre-certified system on modules (SOMs) at Google I/O.

By supporting the Google Assistant and Android Things, MediaTek is able to deliver an exceptional smart home user experience with seamless interaction between voice command devices and IoT products. MediaTek is one of the world’s largest fabless semiconductor companies, powering more than 1.5 billion consumer devices a year.

“Smart home products are growing in popularity and MediaTek’s expertise is making connected devices smarter, smaller and more power efficient without sacrificing performance,” said Joe Chen, Executive Vice President and Co-COO of MediaTek. “Our dedicated Android support will help expand the market for voice-based intelligent devices.”

The MediaTek MT8516 is a highly power-efficient application processing platform. It has diverse interfaces and connectivity that focuses on audio and microphone processing. It was designed specifically for cloud-supported voice assistant devices.

The MT8516 is equipped with a quad-core, 64-bit ARM® Cortex-A35 MPCore™ operating at up to 1.3 GHz. The chipset also pre-integrates WiFi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.0. For product manufacturers this chipset brings simplicity of design, reduced time to market and opportunities to be more innovative with products through a smaller design footprint.

For microphone voice input and connected audio products, the MediaTek MT8516 has interfaces for TDM (up to 8 channels) and PDM inputs (2 channels). In addition, the chipset has flexible memory support including LPDDR2, LPDDR3, DDR3, DDR3L and DDR4 to accommodate diverse platform needs.

New Google Assistant devices using MT8516 are expected on the market in Q4 of this year.

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About MediaTek

About MediaTek MediaTek Incorporated (TWSE: 2454) is a global fabless semiconductor company that enables 1.5 billion connected devices a year. We are a market leader in developing innovative systems-on-chip (SoC) for mobile device, home entertainment, connectivity and IoT products. Our dedication to innovation has positioned us as a driving market force in several key technology areas, including highly power-efficient mobile technologies and advanced multimedia solutions across a broad range of products such as smartphones, tablets, digital televisions, OTT boxes, wearables and automotive solutions. MediaTek empowers and inspires people to expand their horizons and more easily achieve their goals through smart technology. We call this idea Everyday Genius and it drives everything we do. Visit www.mediatek.com for more information.