Philips Electronics NV’s Semiconductor division has now joined forces with NEC Corp to work on further development of the MIPS microprocessor architecture, now seen more as an embedded part than in its former role as systems CPU. The first stages of the partnership agreement will see NEC providing its VR4300 series 64-bit processor core, and working with Philips on chip integration and support technologies. Philips, which is putting more emphasis on the systems-on-a-chip market, and is involved in the convergence of personal computers and televisions, sees the development of the MIPS architecture as a logical extension to its existing business which centers around the consumer market. Silicon Graphics, which owns the MIPS architecture, says it will have shipped some 35 million MIPS processors this year. It believes the MIPS architecture will play a much larger role in the embedded consumer market as time progresses.
