iBiquity Digital says it will partner with Imagination Technologies Group (IMG) PLC to produce a highly efficient processor core suitable for embedding in a variety of media and communication devices. The first design will be produced using Imagination's Ensigma UCCP Series3.

The move signals an attempt on the part of iBiquity to further reduce form factors and power consumption of HD Radio devices while improving other capabilities such as content management, display graphics and more. Because the functionality is primarily software-driven the same cores can be in receivers compatible with a variety of digital radio standards and markets.

First- and even second-generation HD Radio receiver technology was notorious for form factors and power consumption levels that ruled out their use in mobile applications such as smartphones.

UK-based ITC specializes in creating and licensing intellectual property processor cores for graphics, video, multi-threaded embedded processing/DSP and multi-standard communications applications.