Product category:
Intellectual Property Cores
News Release from: ChipX | Subject: BA12
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 29 June 2007
32bit processor cores expand ASIC
options
A licensing agreement with Beyond Semiconductor brings a family of 32bit processors to ChipX standard cell ASIC, embedded array ASIC and structured ASIC platforms.
ChipX has signed partnership and licensing agreement with Beyond Semiconductor for a family of 32bit processors Many custom designs require 32bit processing power to run real-time operating systems, process data or modify data on the fly
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 29 Apr 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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Although there are a number of 32bit processor solutions available, these are often burdened with inflexible architectures or unfavourable licensing agreements.
With ChipX, designers can have access to the processor RTL for silicon validation in a FPGA and software development well in advance of the ASIC design.
This approach reduces risk, eliminates porting efforts from one processor architecture to another and speeds time to market.
Further reading
Modular gate arrays point way to structured ASICs
With its recently launched 0.18-micron CX5000 family, Chip Express reckons it is delivering the optimum balance of density, flexibility and memory.
Structured ASIC DSPs outperform standard cells
Chip Express has added a high-performance DSP capability to its entire structured ASIC product line.
The BA12 line of products consists of a 32bit processor core that can be configured to include a memory management unit (MMU), power management (PM), instruction and data cache, basic peripherals as well as debug port, timers and serial port options.
Initially, three predefined and preverified platforms are available from ChipX: the BA12 (plain processor); the Kiwi platform (BA12 with quick memory and serial port); and the Hawk platform (BA12 with memory management, instruction and data caches, and frequently required peripherals).
Custom versions are available on request.
Performance comparable with ARM9 processors as well as extensive Gnu tools support allows for complex software applications and eases software porting.
ChipX and Beyond Semiconductor can offer software porting contract services for customers wishing to break free from other processor architectures.
The BA12 can be implemented on any ChipX ASIC product, and has been especially verified and optimised for use on ChipX Structured ASIC platforms, which offer reduced NRE and fast time to market.
Performance exceeds 180MHz in 130nm Structured ASIC when implemented using standard place and route tools.
The BA12 line of 32bit processors from Beyond Semiconductor is now available directly from ChipX for use in any ChipX portfolio product, including high volume standard cell ASIC, embedded array ASIC and structured ASIC, with part prices starting below US $1.
"We are excited to offer our customers a silicon proven and powerful processor solution with early software development capability", says Elie Massabki, VP of Marketing at ChipX.
"Our goal is to provide cost effective and flexible processor solutions to our ASIC customers and our partner, Beyond Semiconductor, enables us to achieve this".
"ChipX offers the widest array of ASIC products on the market today".
"We have worked closely with the ChipX engineering team to optimise the BA12 processor to deliver efficient performance across the board", says Damjan Lampret, VP Strategic Alliances at Beyond Semiconductor.
"We were impressed with the level of knowledge at ChipX as well as the final performance numbers".
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