Network Offload Engine (NOE) is a solution package integrated with hardware that is intended to offload network processing from a host system and place the processing on a subsystem, and thereby resolve various problems that occur during the implementation of a network functionality.

If an attempt to implement a network functionality onto a subsystem instead of a host system is made, it is generally impossible to create a low-cost and high-quality subsystem where the software component size is large or where the network cannot achieve throughput. In this case, the advantages gained for the additional cost are decreased.

Developing a subsystem dedicated to network processing by using Ubiquitous Network Framework makes it possible to create a low-cost system that is effective in network processing.

NOE provides many advantages when network functionality is added to an embedded system.

The reduction in product development time by a turnkey solution

Network functionality is becoming indispensable even to embedded systems. In many cases, however, providing network functionality involves new development on the host system side as well as taking a lot of time and trouble, as is the case, for example, with driver development. Using NOE makes it possible to add network-related basic functionalities and subsystems which have functionality according to solutions (for example, security, setup and multimedia functionalities) and thereby to easily add a network functionality to an embedded system. Because the main system can use network functionality through NOE’s API, there is no need to develop a driver. Thus it is possible to achieve rapid product development.

The addition of a network functionality by the effective use of existing design, which is possible even in the case of a system that operates in an OS-less environment or on a low-specification CPU.

Subsystems are connected with the main system through general interfaces. Therefore network functionality can be added to an existing product without significant changes to the current design.
Network functionality can be achieved even on a system built with very tight resources (for example, one that operates in an OS-less environment or one that operates with a low-specification microcomputer such as an 8-bit microcomputer).

Allowing stable and high throughput

Network-related processing puts high loads on main systems. By placing this processing on a subsystem, the loads on the main system are reduced, which makes it possible to achieve high throughput and to use the maximum amount of resources available to the main system for non-network related processing, such as processing the main application.

Allowing lower power consumption, which makes it possible to build an environment-friendly system

By assigning power management exclusively to NOE, power consumption is reduced. For example, reducing power consumption of a digital device in standby, an unsolved problem with digital devices, makes ‘eco’-conscious product development possible.

In addition to the above, many advantages are provided according to each platform.