Qualcomm today shared more information about the Hexagon 680 digital signal processor, a component that will be part of the forthcoming Snapdragon 820 application processor.
Qualcomm says it relies on DSPs to offload some tasks from the main CPU in order to save power. The Hexagon 680 introduces a separate DSP for sensors, such as pedometers, gyroscopes, and accelerometers, so motion and other activities can be tracked without draining the battery.
The other improvement over earlier DSPs is what Qualcomm calls the Hexagon Vector eXtensions, which are reserved for imaging and computer vision. The HVXs are paired with the Qualcomm Spectra image signal processor, for example, to adaptively improve low light areas in real time without sucking down energy.
Qualcomm says devices with the Snapdragon 820 — and Hexagon 680 — are expected to reach consumers during the first half of 2016.
