Graphics Performance vs. Power Consumption in Embedded Systems Design

The rapid evolution of technology has given embedded developers more options than ever before in designing embedded graphics systems. The consumer electronics market, most notably the video game industry, is driving massive advances in graphics technology, with faster graphical processing units (GPU) being released every year; however, the performance needs for graphics applications being built for military and aerospace are generally lower. They span a wide range: everything from simple 2D graphics using an overlay of lines, simple primitives and text, to more complex, aesthetically appealing 2D graphics, to high-end graphics such as 3D synthetic or augmented vision applications. Power is almost always an overriding concern since power sources must be carried by the vehicle and budgeted among many competing uses. Increased power draw generates additional heat, which must be dissipated in compact, tight spaces like aircraft cockpits. Embedded system designers need to consider many factors when balancing graphics performance against the need to minimize power consumption.