Seiko Epson signs for configurable processors

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Feb 14, 2006

Tensilica has licensed its Xtensa configurable processors and Xpres compiler to Seiko Epson Corporation.

Tensilica has licensed its Xtensa configurable processors and Xpres compiler to Seiko Epson Corporation.

"It is faster and easier to design complex SoCs using Xtensa configurable processors - especially when using the Xpres compiler - than to hand-code complex SOC design elements in hardware using traditional RTL methods".

"Plus the Xtensa processors are programmable, so it will be valuable for future products and applications", stated Katsuhiko Nishizawa, General Manager of the IJP Design Department of the Imaging Products Operations Division of Seiko Epson Corporation.

Epson's engineers configure and extend the Xtensa processors to exactly match their image processing applications.

By optimising the Xtensa processor for specific embedded imaging functions, Epson obtains performance vastly exceeding that of standard processor cores, allowing the use of processors in SoC design blocks previously not serviceable by conventional processor cores.

This dramatically expands the role of processors in Epson's state of the art SoC designs.

"This is yet another milestone in the growing adoption of Tensilica's Xtensa processor architecture", stated Chris Rowen, Tensilica's President and CEO.

"Epson's compelling product leadership comes from leadership in the design methodologies used to create their electronics offerings".

"By broadly deploying a chip design methodology based on multiple Xtensa processors, Epson will speed new product designs to market".