Embedded Processor Watch

Senior Editor: Tom Halfhill
Contributor to this issue: Peter N. Glaskowsky, Senior Analyst

In This Issue:

• ARC Cores Builds IP Library
• LSI Logic Adopts AMBA
• Microsoft Weighs In With X-Box
• Tidbits: QuickLogic Licenses MIPS Core
• Tidbits: Cirrus Logic Design Win -- MP3 Players
• Industry Resources: Embedded Processor Forum June 12-16
• Cahners MicroDesign Resources Seeks New Analysts

ARC Cores Builds IP Library

By Tom R. Halfhill

ARC Cores has acquired two companies that for the first time allow it to supply intellectual property in the form of peripheral hardware and software to licensees of its configurable CPU cores. The acquisitions move ARC an important step closer to the business model of a "one-stop shop" for ASIC developers, although the company stops short of offering comprehensive design services.

The two companies acquired by ARC are VAutomation (Nashua, New Hampshire) and Precise Software Technologies (Ottawa, Canada). VAutomation sells serial-communication controllers, an 8-bit RISC microcontroller core, and some other intellectual property. Precise sells a TCP/IP stack, a single- and multiprocessor RTOS, a compiler, a debugger, and other embedded tools and utilities. (The full version of this article is available online to Microprocessor Report subscribers at http://www.MDRonline.com/mpr/h/2000/0410/141503.html).

LSI Logic Adopts AMBA

By Tom R. Halfhill

LSI Logic has adopted the Advanced Microcontroller Bus Architecture (AMBA) as the standard interconnect for its CoreWare system-on-a-chip design services. The decision throws more weight behind AMBA's bid to become the defacto standard for on-chip buses. LSI will use AMBA to integrate ARM, MIPS, and ZSP cores with on-chip peripherals in its huge CoreWare library.

Standardizing on a single bus specification should simplify development for both LSI and its customers. Although AMBA was originally a proprietary ARM bus, it has evolved into a license and royalty-free specification that's compatible with other CPU architectures, and it is currently supported by more than 25 semiconductor companies. (The full version of this article is available online to Microprocessor Report subscribers at http://www.MDRonline.com/mpr/h/2000/0410/141504.html).

Microsoft Weighs In With X-Box

By Peter N. Glaskowsky

Microsoft is entering the console-gaming ring once again, after losing two previous bouts, but it looks like the third time may be the charm. Microsoft has good reason to hope its new X-Box project will succeed where its previous efforts have failed. This time, Microsoft is fighting from a position of strength, leveraging the power and flexibility of its Win32 and DirectX multimedia application programming interfaces (APIs). The new hardware platform similarly leverages the development of PC processors and 3D-graphics chips to produce a machine that should greatly exceed the performance of competing consoles.

The X-Box will be controlled by a custom Intel x86 processor running at more than 600MHz, while NVIDIA will chip in a graphics coprocessor based on its NV25 core with integrated north-bridge functionality. The NV25 core is three generations beyond NVIDIA's current GeForce 256, and on 3D applications should deliver almost two orders of magnitude better performance than most of today's PCs.

The X-Box is due to appear in the fall of 2001, but it won't be easy for Microsoft and its X-Box development partners to make this date. Microsoft has never created a new operating system so quickly, and the NV25 core will be much larger and more complex than anything NVIDIA has previously developed.

Just as Sony was regarded as the outsider with little relevant experience when it introduced the PlayStation, Microsoft is the underdog in this new competition. We do not expect Microsoft can deliver a knockout blow against Sony, however. Instead, we believe the X-Box will join the PlayStation 2 in many living rooms. It is Sega and Nintendo that should be most concerned about the X-Box, which may displace Dreamcast and Dolphin in the hearts and minds of console-game buyers. (The full version of this article is available online to Microprocessor Report subscribers at http://www.MDRonline.com/mpr/h/2000/0403/141401.html).

Tidbits: QuickLogic Licenses MIPS Core

QuickLogic has licensed the MIPS32 4Kc core from MIPS Technologies for integration with its programmable logic and on-chip dual-port SRAM. This will allow QuickLogic's customers to develop prototypes of application-specific devices without spinning wafers or, in some cases, to use the programmable-logic devices instead of standard-cell ASICs as final products. Although ASICs are less expensive in volume, QuickLogic is targeting applications for which time to market is critical or that require high design security. The MIPS32 4Kc is a 32-bit, synthesizable embedded-processor core introduced last year (see Embedded Processor Watch #51, http://www.MDRonline.com/epw/issues/epw_51.html). For more information: http://www.mips.com and http://www.quicklogic.com.

Tidbits: Cirrus Logic Design Win -- MP3 Players

S3's Diamond Multimedia division is using Cirrus Logic's Maverick EP7209 chip in its third-generation Rio digital-audio players. The new Rio players, scheduled to ship this spring, will support the Secure Digital Music Initiative (SDMI) requirements for copyrighted audio in MP3 and Windows Media formats. The EP7209 is the first single-chip solution that supports both of those digital-audio standards (see Embedded Processor Watch #74, http://www.MDRonline.com/epw/issues/epw_74.html). For more information: http://www.cirrus.com.

Industry Resources: Embedded Processor Forum June 12-16

Registration is now open for the Embedded Processor Forum, which will be held June 12-16 at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose. Vendors will introduce more than 20 new embedded processors, and analysts will present six full-day technical seminars. Embedded Processor Forum will give you the in-depth technical information you need to make winning embedded-design decisions. Due to high demand, registration is filling up quickly. Detailed information about the presentations at the forum is now available on the Cahners MicroDesign Resources web site at http://www.MDRonline.com/EPF. You can also call 800.527.0288 or 408.328.3900 for more information or to receive a brochure.

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 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 Keith Diefendorff (mailto:kdiefendorff@mdr.cahners.com).