Power VR Series 8XE

A cracking PR today from IMG at the start of Mobile World Congress.

Of course huge credit goes to ex-CEO SHY for putting this together (there's the rub).

Usually with a new PVR series, the high-end part comes out first (via Apple) but this time it looks as though there has been a deliberate change of strategy , acknowledging the importance of winning back GPU volume from competitors.

https://imgtec.com/news/press-release/latest-imagination-powervr-series8xe-gpus-set-new-standard-for-performance-power-and-area-in-cost-sensitive-markets/

22nd February, 2016 – Imagination Technologies (IMG.L) announces a new family of mass market PowerVR GPUs that set a new standard for performance, power and area in cost-sensitive markets. PowerVR Series8XE GPUs deliver the best performance/mm2 for the smallest silicon footprint and power profile, while also incorporating advanced features such as hardware virtualization, multi-domain security, and support for the latest APIs including OpenGL® ES 3.2 and Vulkan™ 1.0*. Series8XE demonstrates Imagination’s continuing leadership in cost-sensitive GPUs.

Today’s consumers want the latest features and technologies in their devices, and they want those devices at the lowest possible prices. To keep costs down, many of these devices are currently shipping with older APIs such as OpenGL ES 2.0. Imagination’s Series8XE GPUs support the latest APIs to enable the best user experience at the industry’s lowest cost.

Peter McGuinness, director of multimedia technology marketing, Imagination, says: “Because of the differentiation they provide, PowerVR GPUs are at the heart of the best-selling phones, tablets, and automotive infotainment units. With the new Series8XE, we’re enabling chip companies and OEMs targeting cost-sensitive applications to provide the best possible user experience at the lowest power and area budgets. We believe it is the best entry-level GPU core ever designed.”

The new Series8XE GPUs have already been licensed by multiple lead customers for mobile/tablets, 4K TVs, OTT set-top boxes, automotive and wearables. They are now being released for general licensing, enabling an even wider range of companies to leverage PowerVR to gain competitive edge and build enduring success. This builds on the momentum of the XE family where there are licensees across all key market segments, double digit licensee growth and a strong pipeline of opportunities.

Joe Chen, executive vice president and co-chief operating officer at MediaTek, says: “Imagination’s PowerVR XE families of entry-level GPUs are designed to deliver the right feature set at the right price point for the next generation of connected devices. MediaTek is delighted to be working with Imagination to bring the benefits of Series8XE GPUs to manufacturers and consumers worldwide.”

A perfect match for cost-sensitive applications

PowerVR Series8XE GPUs are designed to deliver the best possible real world user experience for cost-efficient products including low-cost phones and tablets, industrial displays, IoT, 4K set-top boxes and TVs, and low- to mid-range automotive infotainment and cluster electronics. The GPUs are designed to provide the best experience on GUI, HMI (human machine interface), browser and email applications, as well as casual games. By the numbers:

• Up to 25% smaller versus Series7XE GPUs for the same fillrate, providing the same compelling user experience at lower cost
• 60% to 100% better performance per mm2 over a range of industry benchmarks, and 30 – 45% area reduction versus competitors’ GPU IP cores with the same fillrate

Selected PowerVR Series8XE GPUs also include support for PVRIC3, the latest PowerVR lossless image compression technology, and 10-bit YUV for video streaming in hardware as options – key for optimal integration with H.265 10-bit profiles in set-top boxes and TVs. The new GPUs support Khronos APIs including OpenGL ES 3.2, and Vulkan 1.0 to deliver exceptional performance with reduced CPU requirements.

Security is at the heart of everything

With support for hardware virtualization and Imagination’s OmniShield™ multi-domain security, PowerVR GPUs uniquely enable customers to build systems in which applications and operating systems can run independently and reliably on the same platform in segments such as automotive, set-top boxes and TVs. This is becoming increasingly important as use models and services evolve across a wide range of connected products – demanding that devices be designed to support numerous unique applications, various content sources, and in-the-field software updates from service providers and operators, all while ensuring privacy and protection from security attacks.

Software and tools support

Imagination provides developers with free access to the cross-platform PowerVR SDK, designed to support all aspects of 3D graphics application development; as well as tools and utilities that ease development of 3D graphics and GPU compute applications. Developers can join the PowerVR Insider community, download the SDK for free and interact through developer forums at http://community.imgtec.com/developers/powervr/.

Physical Design Optimization Kits (DOKs) for Imagination’s PowerVR Series8XE GPUs will also be available, offering customers the flexibility to optimize for power, performance and area (PPA). Imagination DOKs are comprised of optimized reference design flows, tuned libraries from partners, characterization data and documentation.

Availability

PowerVR Series8XE GPUs are available for licensing now in scalable configurations starting at 2 pixels per clock (GE8200) and 4 pixels per clock (GE8300) IP cores. Contact info@imgtec.com for more information.

To access Imagination’s press kits for Mobile World Congress 2016 and Embedded World 2016, please visit: https://imgtec.com/press-kit/. Email tradeshows@imgtec.com to arrange a personal meeting with Imagination in Barcelona or Nuremburg.

Sir HY steps down and Pure to be sold

IMG today announced that Sir HY has stepped down and restructuring is on the way. Pure is finally to be sold off and the company will focus on its core activites ie. profitable IP. 

Sir HY's vision and leadership  transformed Videologic to a world-leading tech IP company Imagination Technologies, important to big players like Apple. Unfortunately, things started to get out of control around 5-6 years ago but the Board failed to do their jobs properly and force HY to make the necessary changes. The voices of long-term loyal supporters of IMG fell on deaf ears and the investors, including the brilliant engineers who form the backbone of IMG, suffered big financial losses.

PURE maybe first to go, but I'm sure it won't be the last. Today's announcement signals IMG are serious about turning our company around imo, and whilst the loss of Sir HY as CEO is highly regrettable, it was inevitable. A CTO role would have suited him better but can't see that happening. Best wishes to Sir HY.
Oh yes, and there was another profit warning...

The statement:

Imagination Technologies Group plc (LSE: IMG, “Imagination”, “the Group”), a leading multimedia,
processor and communications technology company, announces that Sir Hossein Yassaie has
stepped down as Chief Executive with immediate effect. Andrew Heath, one of the non-executive
directors, has been appointed Interim Chief Executive.
The Group also publishes a trading update as the Board now expects to report an EBIT loss for the
financial year to 30 April 2016.
Imagination is also announcing details on restructuring initiatives. These include the sale of Pure, its
consumer electronics business, and the expectation at this stage that Imagination will reduce total
operating costs of its on-going businesses by £15 million in the next financial year, ending April
2017.

Board change

Andrew, who has been appointed Interim Chief Executive, joined the Group’s Board in August 2012
as a non-executive director. He has a wealth of international business experience gained through
executive roles at Rolls-Royce and more recently as Chief Executive Officer of Alent plc. The Group
will start the search for a new Chief Executive immediately, assessing both internal and external
candidates in the process.
As a result of his appointment, Andrew will step down from the Remuneration and Audit committees.

Trading update

Since the Group published its half year results in December 2015, market conditions have not
improved and the slow-down in the overall semiconductor sector has continued, reinforced by global
uncertainty about future trading prospects with China.
Royalty returns from some key customers have fallen short of previous expectations for the last
calendar quarter of 2015 with lower forecasts for the first calendar quarter of 2016. While the
licence pipeline remains strong, and licences and related revenues already secured this year amount
to £24 million, the pace of deal closure is falling short of prior expectations.
The royalty reduction coupled with continuing uncertainty over licence revenue timing is likely to
result in a material reduction in expected FY16 revenues and resulting profitability. The Group now
expects to report an EBIT loss for the financial year to 30 April 2016.
The Group continues to have sufficient cash resources to meet its obligations going forward.

Restructuring initiatives

Following a detailed analysis of overhead expenses and a preliminary review of research and
development expenditure, the Group will implement a number of restructuring and cost cutting
initiatives and plans to sell Pure.
At this stage, the Group expects to reduce total operating costs of its on-going businesses by £15
million in the next financial year ending April 2017, with a modest impact in the current financial

year. Of this, £2 million will be re-invested in Power VR, further strengthening the Group’s flagship
multimedia product.
The Group believes there are potentially more appropriate owners for Pure, given the economies of
scale in the consumer electronics market, who will be able to leverage its leading technologies and
brand. Imagination will treat the Pure division as a discontinued operation with immediate effect.
Imagination will also initiate a full operational review, including all R&D expenditure. This review,
which is expected to last several months, will ensure investment is focused on core activities which
are set to deliver attractive returns.

Bert Nordberg, Chairman, said:

“Hossein has led the creation of Imagination’s successful IP business model over many
years and through his vision and drive, the Group has become a global technology
leader. His many notable achievements include the development of graphics and video
processors for smartphones, gaming devices, TVs and the automotive industry and the
introduction of digital radios as a mainstream product.
“On behalf of the Board and everyone at Imagination, I would like to thank him for his
considerable contribution, his passion, leadership and many, many achievements. We
all wish him every success for the future.
“Trading conditions continue to be very demanding. We need to be very focussed on
continuing to meet our customers’ needs, and commercialising our IP, cost effectively,
based on our core business.
“The measures announced today will allow the business to maintain the necessary
investment in key areas, in order to further strengthen our unique IP, technologies and
system solutions. They will also set the Group on track to deliver attractive returns in
the coming years.”

Sir Hossein Yassaie, commented:

“I am proud of the successes Imagination has achieved over the last decade or so. We
have built Imagination from very small beginnings into the leading provider of graphics
processors as well as general purpose micro-processors and connectivity solutions.
Imagination is now one of the genuine UK-headquartered companies with significant
global influence and impact.
“It’s now time for someone else to lead this great company. I have been fortunate to
work with a hugely talented team and would like to thank all my colleagues for all their
support and dedication over the years. I would also like to thank the many customers
and partners who have chosen to work with us over many years.”
The information required to be given in relation to section 430(2B) of the Companies Act 2006 in
relation to Sir Hossein Yassaie will be available on the Group’s website in due course.