April 30, 2007	View data in Microsoft Excel spreadsheets   (To download, right-click link and select "Save Target As...")

Chip Watch

Type: Licensable embedded-processor core; Process: n/a. ARM's first licensable processor core designed for FPGA implementation and deployment. This 32-bit synthesizable core supports the ARMv6-M ISA--a subset of the 16/32-bit Thumb-2 instruction set. Otherwise, it is similar to the ARM7TDMI-S. A special arrangement with Actel allows developers to use the Cortex-M1 in ProASIC3 and Fusion FPGAs without obtaining a separate ARM license or paying ARM royalties. P & A: Available 2Q07; regular ARM license under $100,000; no ARM license required for Actel FPGAs.Priced from $17 in 10k volumes.

Type: Communications processor; Process: 90nm SOI. Newest member of PowerQUICC III family is derived from the MPC8548. Based on the 32-bit Power Architecture e500v2 core with 64-bit FPU and 256KB on-chip L2 cache. Clock speeds up to 1.0GHz. Interfaces include dual Gigabit Ethernet controllers with SGMII and three PCI Express ports. MPC8544 is the basic device; MPC8544E adds security acceleration. P & A: Sampling 2Q07, production 4Q07. MPC8544E starts at $70 (10k quantities).

Type: DSP; Process: 90nm SOI. Quad-core DSP chip with StarCore SC3400 DSP cores at clock speeds up to 1.0GHz. Primarily for communications infrastructures. Available in three versions. MSC8144 has dual QUICCEngine coprocessors, 10.5MB on-chip memory, Serial RapidIO, Utopia/ATM, and dual Gigabit Ethernet. MSC8144E adds integrated security engine supporting DES, 3DES, AES, Kasumi-F8, MD-5, SHA-1, SHA-2, HMAC, and ARC-4 encryption, plus public key exchange and random number generator. MSC8144EC adds hardware code-protection mechanism with encrypted keys for OEMs. P & A: MSC8144 sampling now; MSC8144E and MSC8144EC sampling 2Q07. Production: October. MSC8144 starts at $180 (10k quantities).

Type: 32-bit embedded processor; Process: 90nm. Available at clock speeds to 667MHz, with typical power consumption less than 2W, the PowerPC 405EX is optimized for wireless-network infrastructure equipment, network-control applications, and other embedded systems requiring high performance. Integrated features include two single-lane PCI Express ports, two Gigabit Ethernet MACs, DDR2 SDRAM interface, High-Speed USB 2.0 OTG, NAND flash interface, SPI, and I2C. The Turbo Security Engine accelerates IPSec, SSL, and DTLS, and has a true random-number generator. P & A: Sampling 3Q07, production 4Q07. Priced from $17 in 10k volumes.

Type: 32-bit embedded processor; Process: 90nm. Available at clock speeds from 667MHz to 1.2GHz, this highly integrated processor is designed for high-performance embedded systems, such as multifunction printers, network-access equipment, and home Internet gateways. Integrated features include a 256KB L2 cache, 64KB SRAM, SATA disk controller, two PCI Express interfaces, two Gigabit Ethernet MACs, 32-bit PCI v2.3, USB 2.0, USB OTG, and DDR2 SDRAM supporting up to four banks (16GB). The Turbo Security Engine accelerates IPSec, SSL, and DTLS, and has a true random-number generator. Typical power: 5W at 1.0GHz. P & A: Sampling 3Q07, production 1Q08. Priced from $50 in 10k volumes.

Type: 32-bit audio DSP; Process: 0.18 micron. Single-chip audio processor with dual fixed-point 32-bit proprietary DSP cores. Designed primarily for consumer electronics, including high-definition DVD, Blu-Ray Disc, and HD-DVD players. It supports six surround-sound types: Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS, DTS Master, and DTS High Resolution. Audio-processing algorithms built into ROM include Dolby Pro Logic IIx, DTS 96/24, Neo:6, MPEG, AAC, SRS Circle Surround II, Dolby Headphone, Dolby Virtual Speakers, SRS Tru-Surround XT, and THX Ultra2. It also supports HDMI 1.3. P & A: Available now; $7.50 in 100k volumes.