Embedded Processor Watch

Senior Editor: Tom Halfhill

Contributors to this issue: Steve Leibson, Chief Embedded Analyst

In This Issue:

• Lexra's NetVortex Does Networking
• Alchemy Transmutes MIPS32
• TSMC Turns Industry on Head
• Cahners MicroDesign Resources Seeks New Analysts

Lexra's NetVortex Does Networking

By Tom R. Halfhill

If youíre not satisfied with any of the network processors (NPUs) that everyone from C-Port and IBM to Intel and Sitera has announced in recent months, Lexra has an alternative: license NetVortex and build your own. NetVortex is the first licensable microprocessor architecture designed for packet processing. Lexra disclosed the first technical details of NetVortex last month at Embedded Processor Forum.

By deciding to pursue network processing, Lexra appears to be joining a madding crowd of other companies stampeding into the same market. But Lexraís unique spin is that NetVortex is a do-it-yourself solution for ASIC designers who want to wrap special peripherals, coprocessors, and interfaces around one or more processor cores to create custom NPUs. Because NetVortex allows designers to integrate from 1 to 16 cores on a die, itís suitable for a wide range of applications -- everything from home-network gateways at the low end to OC-192 core routers at the high end.

The basic NetVortex LX8000 core will be available as a synthesizable model and as an optimized hard macro, which Lexra calls a SmoothCore. Lexra plans to deliver the soft-core version of the LX8000 this quarter and expects processors synthesized from that model to run at 250MHz (worst case) in a typical 0.15-micron IC process, such as TSMCís. In 4Q00, Lexra plans to deliver RTL for the complete NetVortex architecture, which allows designers to make processors with multiple LX8000 cores, shared memory, and an optional block-transfer controller. The SmoothCore version of NetVortex is scheduled to ship in 1Q01, and Lexra expects processors based on that macro to reach 450MHz (worst case) in a 0.15-micron process.

Direct competitors that license 32- or 64-bit bit embedded-processor cores include MIPS Technologies, ARC Cores, and Tensilica. However, their general-purpose cores lack the special features Lexra has added to NetVortex. ARC and Tensilica offer configurable cores that allow designers to duplicate some or all of NetVortexís features, but those features arenít part of the base configurations, and the proprietary ARC and Tensilica architectures donít enjoy the broad tool support of Lexraís MIPS-like cores. (The full version of this article is available online to Microprocessor Report subscribers at http://www.MDRonline.com/mpr/h/2000/0717/142901.html).

Alchemy Transmutes MIPS32

By Steve Leibson

Alchemy Semiconductor, founded by former Digital Semiconductor wizards Rich Witek and Greg Hoeppner, has transmuted the MIPS32 embedded architecture into a highly integrated low-power processor called the Au1000.

Formed last year, Alchemy was originally part of Cadence but was later spun off as a startup. The company licensed the MIPS32 ISA but not the MIPS-designed core. Instead, the low-power wizards implemented their own core, based on custom cell libraries that run on TSMC's low-voltage 0.18-micron process. The resulting processor has a five-stage pipeline and runs as fast as 500 MHz (consuming 900mW) or at 200MHz while consuming less than 200mW.

Included with the core is a long list of peripheral devices, such as an SDRAM controller, Ethernet controllers, UARTs, a variety of simpler serial ports for communications with peripherals, host and device USB ports, and general parallel ports. The chip also offers several programmable chip-select outputs for glueless connection to memory and peripheral ICs.

The Au1000 is a highly integrated device that delivers low-power operation with good performance and suits a wide range of embedded applications. Alpha samples will be available in September, with production starting in 4Q00. (The full version of this article is available online to Microprocessor Report subscribers at http://www.MDRonline.com/mpr/h/2000/0710/142801.html).

TSMC Turns Industry on Head

In a dramatic reversal of roles, TSMC -- the world's largest semiconductor foundry (see Embedded Processor Watch #103, http://www.MDRonline.com/epw/issues/epw_103.html) -- has become the first foundry in history to license its semiconductor technology to a large integrated-device manufacturer: National Semiconductor. Previously, semiconductor foundries like TSMC have always looked to integrated-device manufacturers as the source of IC-process technology.

Under their agreement, TSMC will transfer several 0.25- to 0.10-micron logic and embedded-memory processes to National for implementation in that company's South Portland (Maine) facility. TSMC's processes are restricted to use at the South Portland site. With this move, TSMC expects to gain access to excess capacity at that fab, and TSMC will also receive licenses and royalties for parts that National manufactures using TSMC processes.

Cahners MicroDesign Resources Seeks New Analysts

Cahners MicroDesign Resources, the publisher of this newsletter as well as Microprocessor Watch and Microprocessor Report, and the organizer of Microprocessor Forum and Embedded Processor Forum, is seeking new analysts to join its team. Positions focused on either embedded processors or PC/server processors are available. Our analysts are highly visible thought leaders in the microprocessor industry and frequently meet with top architects and executives. Candidates must have at least five years of relevant design, marketing, or analysis experience as well as excellent communication skills. For more information, contact Steve Leibson (mailto:sleibson@mdr.cahners.com).