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Intellectual Property Cores
News Release from: Virage Logic | Subject: STAR Memory System
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 04 March 2003
Memory IP keeps SoC power within budget
Silicon-proven semiconductor IP from Virage Logic has played a key role in the development of Alphamosaic's VC01 multimedia processor, the industry's lowest power video processor.
Silicon-proven semiconductor IP from Virage Logic has played a key role in the development of Alphamosaic's VC01 multimedia processor, the industry's lowest power video processor, designed for portable consumer devices such as mobile videophones, camera-enabled PDAs and smart sensors Under the terms of the agreement, Alphamosaic has licensed Virage Logic's Self Test and Repair (STAR) Memory System and the Area, Speed and Power (ASAP) Memory High-Density (HD) embedded SRAM on TSMC's 0.13-micron logic process, enabling ultra-low-power operation and high memory yields for the VC01 processor
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 20 Feb 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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Leveraging these benefits with its own VideoCore architecture, the VC01 allows designers to develop full mobile multimedia functionality, while meeting the stringent power budgets demanded by next-generation portable devices.
The licence agreement dovetails with Virage Logic's expanded market strategy targeting the high-volume consumer portable market with application-optimised semiconductor IP platforms.
Virage Logic's platform strategy is based on delivering best-in-class memory, logic, I/Os and IP development tools to meet the critical requirements of reducing costs, while boosting performance and ensuring reliability.
Further reading
Embedded memory system addresses nanometre issues
A leading provider of semiconductor IP platforms and pioneer in self-test and self-repair embedded memories, Virage Logic Corp.
Memory system IP proves popular
The Silicon Aware Self-Test and Repair (STAR) Memory System has exceeded 100,000,000 units shipped.
Logic libraries cut silicon costs
Long known in the embedded memory market, Virage Logic is extending its role to the broader category of semiconductor IP platforms with its first foray into logic components.
"A key consideration in picking a partner was not only superior support, but our need for first-time working silicon.
Through its extensive characterisation program and silicon-proven IP, Virage Logic delivered the necessary reliability, support and expertise that was crucial for our first product", said Dr Robert Swann, Vice President of Marketing, Alphamosaic.
"We were able to manufacture an ASAP Memory HD embedded SRAM that helps provide the ultra-low power consumption critical for delivering a single-chip multimedia solution, while the self-test and repair STAR Memory System enabled very high yields that helped us meet our stringent cost targets".
The ASAP Memory HD embedded SRAM functions at lower operational voltages and keeps leakage current down without requiring a special low-voltage process.
This allows Alphamosaic's VC01 to function reliably at voltages below 1.2V, which is the standard operating voltage for the 0.13-micron process.
Additionally, with over 8Mbit of on-chip memory, Alphamosaic needed an integrated system that would test and repair itself.
With the STAR Memory System, the system integrates self-test and repair functionality directly onto the chip, enabling large amounts of SRAM to be designed onto SoC devices.
It also provides a significant cost savings by eliminating the need for expensive test equipment and delivering higher yields during manufacturing.
"Alphamosaic has achieved a monumental feat with its VC01 video processor, and we're pleased to contribute our leading-edge semiconductor IP to this revolutionary advancement in low-power video for portable devices", said Krishna Balachandran, Senior Director of Product Marketing, Virage Logic.
"Our success with Alphamosaic is a significant step in our expansion into high-volume consumer markets with our application-optimised semiconductor IP platforms".
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