Qualcomm detail next generation GPU and ISP that goes into Snapdragon 820 chip
With Snapdragon 810 failing spectacularly, Qualcomm has accelerated the work on Qualcomm 820. This week Qualcomm has detailed the GPU and Image Signal Processor (ISP) that will be integrated in Qualcomm 820. Adreno 530 and Adreno 510 will be the first two GPUs available on new architecture and will be integrated into Snapdragon 820 and Snapdragon 620/618 respectively. Qualcomm Spectra™ is the new 14-bit ISP and is designed to create superior quality photography and enhanced computer vision when compared to current generation smartphone ISPs. Qualcomm did say that the new ISP can generate DSLR-quality photos but we would stick to ‘superior to current gen’. Devices based on the new chips are expected to arrive in 1H2016.
“We’re significantly enhancing the visual processing capabilities of Snapdragon to support next-generation user experiences related to computational photography, computer vision, virtual reality and photo-realistic graphics on mobile devices, all while maximizing battery life,” said Tim Leland, vice president, product management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “Qualcomm Spectra ISP, together with our Adreno 5xx-class GPU, brings an entirely new level of imaging to smartphones, and is designed to allow Snapdragon-powered devices to capture ultra-clear, vivid photos and videos regardless of motion and lighting conditions and display them with the color accuracy that nature intended. In addition, as emerging growth segments such as automotive demand more immersive visual experiences, Snapdragon 820 will enable the next generation of infotainment, computer vision and advanced processing for instrument clusters.”
Key Features of Adreno 5xx architecture
- 40% lower power consumption and 40% faster performance (compared to Adreno 430)
- Supports OpenGL ES 3.1+AEP (Android Extension Pack), Renderscript, as well as the new OpenCL 2.0 and Vulkan standards.
- 64-bit Virtual addressing, shared virtual memory supported.
- Up to 4K HEVC video support @ 60fps over HDMI 2.0
- Better battery quality and better pixel quality thanks to upgraded Qualcomm® EcoPix™ and Qualcomm® TruPalette™
- Software compatibility between Adreno 530 and Adreno 510.
- Key Features of Qualcomm Spectra ISP
- 14-bit dual ISPs, support 3 simultaneous camera
- upto 25 megapixels @30 frames per second
- Zero shutter lag
- Hybrid autofocus framework, multi-sensor fusion algorithms
- Lower power consumptions, better noise immunity, higher throughput, MIPI serial C-PHY interface
