Feature Article

Free eNews Subscription>>
March 29, 2012

Imagination Technologies Ranks Top in GPU IP Shipments

With an increasing number of mobile devices boasting a graphics processor – and those processors being integrated in the device’s system on a chip (SoC) application processor – the firm Jon Peddie Research (JPR) released its findings of estimated graphics chip shipments for mobile devices during 2011.

According to the latest research by JPR, Imagination Technologies supplies more GPU IP than all other suppliers combined.

Application processors are made by a dozen plus semiconductor manufacturers including Broadcom, Intel, Marvell, MediaTek, Nvidia, ST-Ericson, Renesas, Texas Instruments, Qualcomm, Samsung and others. Each of these companies fall into one of two categories – vertically integrated or IP buyers.

Nvidia, Qualcomm and ZiiLabs are the vertically integrated companies with their own GPU designs; the others buy GPU IP from one of five IP suppliers: ARM, DMP, Imagination Technologies, Takumi, or Vivante.

JPR stated that Broadcom and Samsung are the exceptions as both companies buy IP while also having their own internal GPU design. Apple makes an SoC, but does not sell it commercially. The leading high volume suppliers of application processors are Apple, Texas Instruments, Qualcomm and Samsung. Three of the four use Imagination Technologies’ GPU IP as well as several other smaller competitors. 

Imagination said it has eight licensees for its newly announced Series 6 cores including: ST-Ericsson, Texas Instruments, Renesas and MediaTek. JPR reports partnership agreements with Apple, Intel and Samsung have also been made. Navigational units, televisions, set-top boxes, watches, movie and music players as well as digital picture frames were all excluded from the research study, since very few of those mobile devices use a GPU.

JPR believes that as GPU IP prices drop and the quest for differentiation continues, combined with everything being online all the time, and the internet of things, GPUs will find their way into each of these other devices.




Edited by Carrie Schmelkin


FOLLOW MobilityTechzone

Subscribe to MobilityTechzone eNews

MobilityTechzone eNews delivers the latest news impacting technology in the Wireless industry each week. Sign up to receive FREE breaking news today!
FREE eNewsletter