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Intellectual Property Cores
News Release from: ARC International | Subject: ARC 625D core
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 12 May 2005
Core cracks Java efficiency record
Designers of SoCs for portable consumer devices now can maximise Java efficiency with the best performance-to-power ratio of any 32bit processor core.
Designers of SoCs for portable consumer devices now can maximise Java efficiency with the best performance-to-power ratio of any 32bit processor core ARC International and Tao Group reckon that using the Intent Java platform, an ARC 625D core achieved an out-of-the-box score of 104 CaffeineMarks/mW
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 20 Feb 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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The benchmark of CaffeineMarks per milliwatt measures Java performance per unit of power consumed by a system's CPU.
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The resulting power and performance metrics are superior to those being reported by competing processor companies.
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Tao's Intent Java platform is embedded into millions of consumer devices, manufactured by some of the world's leading device manufacturers.
It supports multiple set-top box and handset standards, as well as JTWI and many extensions including Java game acceleration.
ARC 625D core numbers are worst-case results for base configuration, excluding memory.
No special Java extensions were incorporated to achieve the ARC 625D core numbers.
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ARM's 926EJ-S core includes Jazelle hardware acceleration.
MIPS 24Kc core numbers are for a 0.13 micron process at 1.2V, excluding memory.
Tao's software-based Intent media platform offers a high performance, flexible solution, that minimises power requirements for portable ARC-based embedded devices.
The unique binary portability of the Intent platform means one code base, irrespective of deployment environment.
The combination of Tao's Intent Java platform with an ARC 600 family core is ideal for a wide range of consumer electronics devices, including mobile phones, PDAs, digital televisions and in-car entertainment systems.
Dr Paddy Byers, Chief Technology Officer for Tao Group said: "The performance and power consumption requirements of today's mobile devices encourage a holistic approach to the design process".
"The results achieved on the ARC core are further testimony to the fact that compiled Java solutions offer clear performance and cost benefits".
"ARC's configurable processor technology is truly gaining momentum in the consumer electronics market and we are pleased to provide state-of-the-art Java solutions to ARC's growing list of distinguished customers".
"By partnering with industry leaders such as Tao, ARC continues to offer customers unique solutions that meet the stringent design requirements of a broad range of consumer devices", said Derek Meyer, Vice President of Marketing at ARC International.
"Using Tao's Intent platform with an ARC 600 family core, SoC designers can attain high Java performance at extremely low levels of power consumption".
"Because this can be achieved without additional hardwired logic, customers can dramatically reduce the sise and overall cost of their ARC-based chip".
Mark Herring, Senior Director of Java Marketing for Sun Microsystems, added: "We're excited to see the continued proliferation of Java technology through collaborations such as this".
"The true winner of the Tao Group and ARC International relationship is the end user, who benefits from new and cool applications of Java technology".
As a fully Sun-certified supplier of Java technology, Tao is renowned for delivering the fastest Java solution in the market and is fully compliant with Java Community Process standards.
Tao's Intent Java VM software achieves an impressive figure of 8.33 CaffeineMarks per megahertz for Java bytecode execution on Tao's CLDC1.1 VM.
In addition the Tao CLDC1.1/MIDP2.0 Java implementation can be demonstrated in tandem with the Intent multimedia platform, incorporating graphics, audio and streaming technologies beyond Java's capabilities.
The ARC 625D processor core is a full-featured, mid-range embedded core with best-in-class speed, die area and power characteristics.
It is designed to enable licensees to develop complete processor solutions for SoCs targeted at consumer, networking, automotive and other cost-sensitive markets.
The core's flexible, configurable memory architecture makes it ideal for RTOS-based applications.
Powerful DSP options enable it to perform more functions, eliminating separate logic or DSP blocks from the SoC.
Optionally, custom instruction extensions may be incorporated to achieve application performance levels unattainable with fixed architecture cores.
Tao Group's Intent Java platform optimised for an ARC processor core is available from Tao Group.
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