100 series
Marvell ARMADA 166E Application Processor
Industry’s First Application Processor with Integrated EPD Controller
Scalable to 800 MHz for Cost-Sensitive, High-Performance eReaders and eBooks
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
Marvell®’s ARMADA™ 100 series is a family of application processors targeted at mass market opportunities in
computing and consumer devices. The ARMADA 166E member of this family is the world’s first application processor
with an integrated EPD controller, targeted at cost-sensitive, high-performance eReaders and eBooks. The CPU core
is powered by Marvell Sheeva™ technology and is completely ARMv5 and XScale compliant. Core speeds up to 800
MHz and a direct path to LP-DDR as well as commodity DDR2 SDRAM memory enable fast rendering of advanced
content and layouts (large PDFs, newspapers, magazines, textbooks). A multimedia coprocessor powered by WMMX™
2 technology and a graphics engine support up to D1 resolution video and rich GUIs. Integrated southbridge support
for standard peripherals, MLC NAND, USB2.0 HS OTG with PHY, a 5-in-1 card reader, and a 10/100 Ethernet MAC can
dramatically lower total BOM cost.
The key differentiator in the ARMADA 166E is the integrated EPD controller, which includes advanced features such as
parallel and partial-update capability, as well as retaining a traditional software programming model. The integrated
controller provides significant BOM cost reduction by eliminating an external controller and its associated flash and
DDR memories. It has the capability to drive large 1600x1200 EPD displays and supports high-performance features
such as parallel and partial-refresh capabilities.
Like other members in the ARMADA 100 series, the ARMADA 166E supports low-power modes, including a “zero-
power mode” where the processor state is retained in DDR memory while the SoC power is completely shut off,
extending battery life in eReaders and eBooks.
BLOCK DIAGRAM
Camera / Video In
Marvell Sheeva™
CPU Core
Up to 800 MHz
Marvell
Qdeo™ ICR
DDR2
LP-DDR1
SDRAM
Controller
1CS
Graphics Acceleration
Overlays
Color Conversion
HQ scaler
EPD
Controller
WMMX2 Multimedia
Coprocessor
Keypad
NAND, NOR x16
Ethernet MAC
GPIO
Timers
UART
IrDA
MMC / SD,SDIO /
MSPro / xD / CF
PWM
USB2 HS Host
USB2 HS OTG
SSP/I2S
AC’97
TWSI, OWSI
JTAG
Fig 1. Marvell ARMADA 166E Application Processor
APPLICATIONS
Marvell’s ARMADA eReader platforms enable large or small manufacturers to quickly develop eReader systems for
a wide variety of end markets, from basic book readers to subscription content devices to dedicated enterprise
and educational devices. EPD panels of multiple sizes are supported and the ARMADA platform also supports LCD
screens, allowing for flexibility of implementation. With Marvell’s proven Wi-Fi/Bluetooth SoCs and HSDPA modem
technology, connectivity to the WLAN or WWAN is a snap. Power management solutions from Marvell provide
efficient switching regulators and power-factor correction for AC-DC adapters. Marvell also offers full development
systems and turnkey reference designs, as well as Linux, Android™, and Windows® Embedded CE board support
packages (BSPs) for eReaders.