Embedded Processor Watch

Editor: Tom Halfhill

In This Issue:

• First StarCore DSP Targets Networking
• IBM, C-Port Network Processors Challenge Intel
• Industry Resources: If a DSP Gets Swatted, It Sounds Like...
• Industry Resources: Microprocessor Forum Begins Today
• Embedded IC Announcements

First StarCore DSP Targets Networking

Motorola's new MSC8101 is the first DSP to emerge from the StarCore alliance between Motorola and Lucent. Although it's based on the SC140 core that the companies jointly developed (see Embedded Processor Watch #49, http://www.MDRonline.com/q/epw/issues/epw_49.html), it's a Motorola product that draws heavily on Motorola's expertise in communications processing. It's designed for networking and telephony applications -- particularly those that need real-time digital filtering, such as speech compression and echo cancellation.

Most of the heavy lifting will be done by the SC140 core, a six-issue VLIW DSP with 16 function units, including four multiply-accumulate (MAC) units that can execute 1.2 billion MACs/s at the chip's target frequency of 300 MHz. To assist the SC140, Motorola added a coprocessor module extracted from its MPC8260 PowerQuicc II processor (see Embedded Processor Watch #13 Flash, http://www.MDRonline.com/q/epw/issues/epw_13flash.html). The coprocessor executes protocol-specific microcode stored in on-chip ROM, which can be overridden by 24K of on-chip RAM.

Motorola has beaten Lucent to the punch by adapting some proven technology from its PowerPC and PowerQuicc II lines to create a powerful DSP for communications and networking applications.--T.R.H. (The full version of this article appears in the October 6 issue of Microprocessor Report.)

IBM, C-Port Network Processors Challenge Intel

At about the same time as Intel's IXP1200 announcement (see Embedded Processor Watch #65, http://www.MDRonline.com/q/epw/issues/epw_65.html), C-Port and IBM Microelectronics separately announced two network processors aimed at the same market -- high-speed routers and related communications equipment. C-Port and IBM have also created an industry forum to develop common APIs that will run on network processors from different companies. The sudden flurry of news underscored the importance of this fast-growing processor category.

All three companies plan to begin volume production in 2000, but IBM's processor will come later than the others. Although these chips vary widely in terms of architecture, integration, and price, they're promising the same things: higher performance than discrete RISC processors in specific networking applications, the programmability that's lacking in fixed-function ASICs, and shorter development cycles for router vendors that are trying to keep up with burgeoning network traffic. The key differentiating factors are likely to be cost, ease of programmability, the capabilities of their companion chips, and sustainable bandwidth when a router uses multiple processors in a complex switching fabric.--T.R.H. (The full version of this article appears in the October 6 issue of Microprocessor Report.)

Industry Resources: If a DSP Gets Swatted, It Sounds Like...

Get up to speed on the world of signal processing at two conferences in one, DSP World/ICSPAT, held in Orlando (Florida) on November 1-4. DSP World is chock full of tutorials and workshops that cover everything from the basics of DSP to specific algorithms and products. Featured presenters include Microprocessor Report contributors Jeff Bier and Krishna Yarlagadda. ICSPAT offers papers on the latest advances from vendors and researchers.

Registration fees range from $695 for the ICSPAT program to $1,295 for a package including workshops and tutorials. Call 800.789.2223 or check out http://www.dspworld.com/.

Industry Resources: Microprocessor Forum Begins Today

The 12th annual Microprocessor Forum began today in San Jose with seminars by principal analyst Michael Slater of Cahners MicroDesign Resources and general manager Jeff Bier of Berkeley Design Technology Inc. The conference sessions, which begin on Tuesday, will include the first disclosures of more than 15 microprocessors, including new embedded chips and cores from IBM, Hitachi, STMicroelectronics, Mips Technologies, and National Semiconductor.

IBM will announce a new embedded PowerPC processor with very high performance; Hitachi and ST will describe their jointly designed 64-bit SH-5 architecture; Mips will reveal its first MIPS64 core; and National will disclose more details about its Geode SC1400 "information appliance on a chip." Other companies will describe 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 embedded processors, PC processors, IA-64, 3D graphics, and DSPs.

Onsite registration is available at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose. For more information, go to http://www.MDRonline.com/q/mpf/ or call 800.700.4004 or 707.824.4004.

Embedded IC Announcements

TLFD500 (Texas Instruments): a codec for G.Lite ADSL (1.5 Mbps) applications that has 14-bit converters, digital/analog filters, and a digital phase-lock loop. It can extend the transmission distance an additional 2,000 to 4,000 feet. Price: $9.50/100,000; production: now. Call TI at 800.477.8924 x4500 or go to http://www.ti.com/sc/msp266ou.

TLV320AD11A/TLV320AD12A (Texas Instruments): two codecs for full-rate (8 Mbps) ADSL operation. The 'AD11A is designed for ADSL modems, while the 'AD12A is intended for central-office ADSL line cards in switches and DSL access multiplexers. Both codes have 14-bit digital/analog converters, transmit/receive filters, and attenuation/gain filters. Price: $11-$12/100,000; production: now. Call TI at 800.477.8924 x4500 or go to http://www.ti.com/sc/docs/products/analog/tlv320ad11a.html.

AccessRunner (Conexant): a programmable multiport ADSL chip set for full-rate and G.Lite remote-access services. The chip set includes the data pump, analog front end, and ATM transmission convergence. The two chips require only five square inches of space per port. Price: $30/port (in 10,000-unit quantities); samples: now; production: 4Q99. Call Conexant at 800.854.8099 or go to http://www.conexant.com/.