MIPS-based processor scales down to 90nm process

A new 64bit single-chip MIPS-based RISC microprocessor is the first embedded PCI-based device to use Toshiba's industry-leading 90nm process technology and the proprietary TX49/H4 400MHz CPU core.

Toshiba's latest 64bit single-chip MIPS-based RISC microprocessor is the first embedded PCI-based device to use the company's industry-leading 90nm process technology and the proprietary TX49/H4 400MHz CPU core.

The new TX4939XBG-400 embedded PCI-based TX system RISC processor combines the performance, functionality, on-chip peripherals and interfaces demanded by digital consumer applications such as IP set-top boxes (STBs), home gateways, digital televisions, digital audio equipment and multimedia devices.

The processor will also be ideal for networking applications in high-bandwidth systems operating with data speeds between 10 and 100Mbit/s.

The TX4939XBG-400 uses Toshiba's latest TX49/H4 64bit processor core, which is based on the RISC architecture developed by MIPS Technologies.

Toshiba's 90nm process technology has been used to achieve a 400MHz operating frequency while maintaining low power consumption.

A high-performance security engine offloads processing from the CPU core for implementing IPSec, SSL and FEC algorithms and enabling content protection.

A high-capacity, four-way set associative cache memory with 32Kbyte instruction cache and 32Kbyte data cache for an improved cache hit ratio maximises device processing speed and performance.

The TX4939XBG-400 offers three serial or one serial and one 8bit parallel video ports compliant to the ITU Bt656 standard, as well as a four-channel UART and an SPI interface.

On-chip peripheral functions include an 8/16bit local bus controller for NAND/NOR Flash and other input/output devices, two 100Mbyte ATA/ATPI channels that enable high-performance data transfer simultaneously from a DVD drive and a hard disk drive, and a 32bit DDR400 SDRAM controller.

Integrated NAND Flash and Ethernet MAC controllers increase performance and reduce system cost, and the built-in high-power PCI controller can handle six PCI host devices, eliminating the need for a PCI-to-PCI bridge.

A DMA controller, an interrupt controller, an AC-link controller, timers/counters and a real-time clock (RTC) with battery backup support are also provided.

Toshiba's new processor supports a number of popular operating systems, including VxWorks from Wind River Systems, MontaVista Linux from MontaVista Software and Microsoft Windows CE.NET from Microsoft Corp.

Sample shipments are planned to start in August, with mass production starting in October at a production volume of 100,000 units per month.

Pricing is $25.00 each in 10,000-piece quantities.

A reference board, RBTX4939, will also be available for customer evaluation.

Back to top