The growing complexity of wearables and IoT devices has created a critical need for solutions that balance graphical performance with power efficiency. Think Silicon, a leader in ultra-low-power GPU technology, is addressing this challenge head-on. This article provides an overview of Think Silicon’s business approach, the problems they solve, and how their GPUs are enabling a new wave of innovation in wearables, IoT, and beyond.
The Problem: Graphics and Power in Wearables
Wearables and IoT devices often struggle to meet user expectations for visual quality and battery life. Traditional approaches rely on microcontroller units (MCUs) to render graphics, which significantly impacts both performance and energy efficiency. The result is a subpar user experience with short device lifespans.
Think Silicon saw this gap and developed a line of ultra-low-power GPUs to address these limitations. By offloading graphics tasks from the MCU to their purpose-built GPUs, Think Silicon enables smartphone-level visuals while extending battery life to weeks rather than days.
Think Silicon’s Business Model
At its core, Think Silicon provides intellectual property (IP) for ultra-low-power GPU technology. Their business is built on partnerships with semiconductor companies, offering a complete ecosystem of hardware and software solutions.
Their GPUs are designed specifically for constrained devices, such as smartwatches and other wearables, where power efficiency and cost are critical. By selling GPU IP that integrates seamlessly into system-on-chip (SoC) designs, Think Silicon enables their partners to deliver high-quality graphics without the trade-offs traditionally associated with MCUs.
Key Features and Developer Tools
Think Silicon goes beyond hardware by offering robust software tools to simplify development. These include proprietary APIs optimised for constrained environments, with extensions for bitmap, vector, and 3D graphics. Developers can use these APIs to create visually rich interfaces tailored to their specific applications.
The company also partners with major players in the software ecosystem, such as Embedded Wizard and Candera, while supporting open-source frameworks like LVGL. This approach ensures a wide range of development tools are available to meet the diverse needs of IoT and wearable device engineers.
Expanding Markets: Beyond Wearables
While Think Silicon initially focused on wearables, their technology is now making inroads into other markets. Smart home devices, including thermostats and appliances, are increasingly adopting advanced displays powered by Think Silicon GPUs.
Emerging markets, such as augmented reality (AR) glasses, present another exciting opportunity. These devices require ultra-lightweight and power-efficient hardware, making Think Silicon’s GPUs an ideal fit.
Getting Started with Think Silicon
Engineers looking to integrate Think Silicon’s technology into their designs have several options. Platforms like the Ambiq Apollo4+ and STM32U5 are readily available and support Think Silicon GPUs. For cutting-edge applications requiring 3D or AI functionality, the Neo series GPUs are accessible via FPGA development kits.
Think Silicon also offers extensive documentation, software libraries, and integration support to ensure a smooth development experience.
Conclusion
Think Silicon’s ultra-low-power GPUs are transforming how wearables and IoT devices are designed. By addressing the critical challenges of graphics performance and power efficiency, they enable developers to create innovative products with extended battery life and rich user interfaces.
For engineers ready to explore the potential of Think Silicon’s GPUs, now is the time to dive into their platforms and start building the next generation of smart devices.
Learn more: https://www.think-silicon.com/