Embedded Processor Watch

Editor: Tom Halfhill

In This Issue:

• Motorola Enhances PowerPC Line
• Intel Expands Embedded x86 Lineup
• Cahners MDR: Help Wanted
• Industry Resources: Microprocessor Forum
• New Embedded IC Announcements

Motorola Enhances PowerPC Line

Motorola has announced a pair of PowerPC chips that make several improvements to the existing PowerPC 740 and 750. The new 745 is a drop-in replacement for the 740, and the new 755 is compatible with the 750. Improvements include lower power consumption, lockable caches, and better support for memory management.

The two processors are nearly identical, except the 755 runs at higher core frequencies and has a backside bus for an L2 cache. Both are three-way superscalar machines with 32K instruction and data caches, a double-precision FPU, on-chip debug, and various low-power modes. Motorola will offer the 745 at frequencies of 300-350 MHz, while the 755 will be available at frequencies of 300-450 MHz.

Both chips will consume about 25% less power than their predecessors, thanks to a process shrink to 0.22 micron. Typical power consumption is estimated at 4.5 W or less at 400 MHz with a 1.9-V core.

Motorola says it will announce availability of the 745 and 755 in 3Q99. Until Motorola announces processors that implement the new Book E embedded architecture (see Embedded Processor Watch, Issue #50), it makes sense to tweak the existing product line to keep it competitive.--T.R.H. (The full version of this article appeared in the June 21 issue of Microprocessor Report.)

Intel Expands Embedded x86 Lineup

Narrowing the performance gap between desktop and embedded processors, Intel has introduced faster versions of Pentium II for lower-powered applications. "Lower-powered," in this context, means about 9-13 W, depending on the clock frequency, the amount of L2 cache, and the level of integration.

Intel announced two Pentium II chips in surface-mount BGA packages and a pair of Pentium II embedded modules. All are variations of products Intel currently ships for mobile PCs. The BGA chips are Dixons clocked at 266 and 333 MHz. Each has 256K of on-chip L2 cache, coupled to the CPU core over a full-speed backside bus. The Pentium II modules contain the CPU, the north bridge of a 440BX chip set, and a voltage regulator. The 266-MHz Deschutes version puts 512K of L2 cache in SRAMs on the module, coupled to the CPU over a half-speed backside bus. The 333-MHz Dixon version integrates 256K of L2 cache on-chip, with a full-speed backside bus.

Intel is aiming these processors at new-breed information appliances that don't fit the mold of traditional embedded systems. But along with that PC-caliber power comes PC-level prices and laptop-level power consumption. Most embedded designers will continue to look at other options, including Intel's own StrongArm chips.--T.R.H. (The full version of this article appeared in the June 21 issue of Microprocessor Report.)

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 the Microprocessor Forum and Embedded Processor Forum, is seeking new analysts to join its team. Positions focused on either embedded processors or PC 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 Linley Gwennap (mailto:linley@mdr.cahners.com).

Industry Resources: Microprocessor Forum

The 12th annual Microprocessor Forum will be held October 4-8, 1999, at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose. The two-day conference will include the first disclosures of more than 15 microprocessors, including new embedded products from IBM, Hitachi, Mips Technologies, and National Semiconductor. Other companies will announce new DSPs, 3D-graphics accelerators, and media processors. For those interested in PC processors, Intel will reveal the microarchitecture of Merced, its first IA-64 processor, and RISC vendors will disclose the new processors and techniques they will use to distinguish their offerings. In addition, the seminar program includes six seminars on PC processors, IA-64, 3D graphics, embedded processors, and DSPs. Early registration prices of $1,395 for the conference and $698 per seminar are available until July 26. For more information and to register, go to http://www.MDRonline.com/x/mpf1 or call 800.700.4004 or 707.824.4004.

New Embedded IC Announcements

CS4299 (Cirrus Logic): an AC97 v2.1-compliant codec for embedded systems and PCs. It has a Sony/Philips digital interface (S/PDIF), dual stereo line-level audio outputs, one mono output, four stereo/two mono line-level inputs, a microphone input with pre-amp, 20-bit stereo digital-to-analog conversion, and 18-bit stereo analog-to-digital conversion. Price: $1.95/10,000; production: now. Call Cirrus Logic at 510-623-8300 or go to http://www.cirrus.com/.

M28W160T/B (STMicroelectronics): a 16-Mbit flash-memory chip (1 Mbit x 16 bits) with less than 1-ms program/erase latency, 100-150 ns access times, and 10 mA maximum power consumption in standby mode; available in TSOP and micro-BGA packages. Price: $8.75/10,000; production: now. Call STMicroelectronics at 781.861.2650 or go to http://us.st.com/.