Click here to learn
about this Sponsor:
Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum

Keywords: Match:
New high-performance synthesizable 32-bit cores support Linux
Apr. 05, 2004

MIPS Technologies is shipping four new 32-bit synthesizable processor cores that support embedded Linux. The new "24K" cores, expected to appear in customer-implemented silicon before 2005, target high-volume applications such as broadband access, wireless, networking, digital television, and office automation.

MIPS first announced the 24K cores in June, 2003, before revealing details in October at the Microprocessor Forum in San Jose.

The four cores include:
  • 24Kc core: Base version. Includes a 32x32 Multiply/Divide Unit and configurable memory management unit with TLB or fixed mapping.

  • 24Kf core: Includes IEEE 754 hardware floating point support, requiring less than 1.0 sq. mm of additional area in a 0.13 micron process.

  • 24Kc Pro and 24Kf Pro core versions: Offer user defined instructions through CorExtend, which is compatible with the industry-standard MIPS32 architecture.
Montavista will work with MIPS to "optimize and tune" its Linux distribution to the 24K cores, according to MIPS.

High performance

MIPS claims the 24K cores are the embedded market's highest performing 32-bit synthesizable processor cores. Intended for 0.13-micron process silicon, the 24K cores will run at 400-550 MHz, producing 1.44 Dhrystone MIPS/MHz, for a total of 576-792 Dhrystones. An eight-stage pipeline works in conjunction with sophisticated hardware branch prediction, MIPS claims, and a full cycle is allocated to the instruction and data cache access to enable performance scalability across a wide range of technologies.

The 24K cores are synthesizable and highly configurable, MIPS claims, enabling designers to tune for performance, area, or power. Designers can specify the primary cache sizes, style of memory management unit, level of debug facilities, and amount of clock gating. The cores also support the Open Core Protocol (OCP) interconnect structure.

OCP

The 24K core interface is standardized on OCP on-chip interconnect technology defined by the Open Core Protocol International Partnership (OCP-IP). MIPS claims this enables designers to build cores that are independent of specific bus protocols and re-usable in subsequent system-on-chip (SoC) designs.

MIPS offers a "SOC-it" system-level controller it says is optimized for OCP, providing a memory controller and bridge to on-chip buses.

Additional chip features include support for MIPS32 Release 2 architecture and the MIPS16e code compression extension.

"High performance in a flexible, synthesizable core is clearly appealing. We also are pleased with the MIPS ecosystem optimizing their product offerings for the 24K core family," said John Bourgoin, president and CEO of MIPS Technologies.



Related Stories:


(Click here for further information)


FUEL Database on MontaVista Linux
Whether building a mobile handset, a car navigation system, a package tracking device, or a home entertainment console, developers need capable software systems, including an operating system, development tools, and supporting libraries, to gain maximum benefit from their hardware platform and to meet aggressive time-to-market goals.

Breaking New Ground: The Evolution of Linux Clustering
With a platform comprising a complete Linux distribution, enhanced for clustering, and tailored for HPC, Penguin Computing¿s Scyld Software provides the building blocks for organizations from enterprises to workgroups to deploy, manage, and maintain Linux clusters, regardless of their size.

Data Monitoring with NightStar LX
Unlike ordinary debuggers, NightStar LX doesn¿t leave you stranded in the dark. It¿s more than just a debugger, it¿s a whole suite of integrated diagnostic tools designed for time-critical Linux applications to reduce test time, increase productivity and lower costs. You can debug, monitor, analyze and tune with minimal intrusion, so you see real execution behavior. And that¿s positively illuminating.

Virtualizing Service Provider Networks with Vyatta
This paper highlights Vyatta's unique ability to virtualize networking functions using Vyatta's secure routing software in service provider environments.

High Availability Messaging Solution Using AXIGEN, Heartbeat and DRBD
This white paper discusses a high-availability messaging solution relying on the AXIGEN Mail Server, Heartbeat and DRBD. Solution architecture and implementation, as well as benefits of using AXIGEN for this setup are all presented in detail.

Understanding the Financial Benefits of Open Source
Will open source pay off? Open source is becoming standard within enterprises, often because of cost savings. Find out how much of a financial impact it can have on your organization. Get this methodology and calculator now, compliments of JBoss.

Embedded Hardware and OS Technology Empower PC-Based Platforms
The modern embedded computer is the jack of all trades appearing in many forms.

Data Management for Real-Time Distributed Systems
This paper provides an overview of the network-centric computing model, data distribution services, and distributed data management. It then describes how the SkyBoard integration and synchronization service, coupled with an implementation of the OMG¿s Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard, can be used to create an efficient data distribution, storage, and retrieval system.

7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.

 


Got a HOT tip?   please tell us!
Free weekly newsletter
Enter your email...
Click here for a profile of each sponsor:
PLATINUM SPONSORS
(Become a sponsor)

ADVERTISEMENT
(Advertise here)

Check out the latest Linux powered...

Mobile phones!

MIDs, UMPCs
& tablets

Mobile devices

Other cool
gadgets



BREAKING NEWS

• MontaVista touts Android readiness
• Via panel PC resists shock, liquids
• Linux provider touts support award
• "World's smallest humanoid robot" runs Linux
• Linux connects TVs to 'Net video
• Mot camera-phone runs widgets
• Linux-ready MILS kernel gains POSIX
• Multimedia processor plays H.264 video
• $7 ARM9 SoC gains mainline support
• Mini-ITX board has HDMI port
• Papers sought for Embedded Linux Conference
• Rugged Linux wrist computer upgraded
• Adobe unleashes 64-bit Flash
• USB 3.0 debuts
• Spotlight on Moblin.org Linux


Most popular stories -- past 90 days:
• Open source phone goes mass-market
• Tinest Linux system, yet?
• Garmin Nav devices run Gnome Linux
• ARM9 board boots Debian in 0.69 seconds
• Low-cost laptop runs Linpus Linux
• Linux-friendly Beagle fetches $150
• Mini Linux PC breaks $100 barrier
• Open source camera records geotagged video to SATA HDD
• Open set-top box ships
• First $100 laptop runs Linux


DesktopLinux headlines:
• "Moonlight" ready to shine
• Adobe unleashes 64-bit Flash
• Debian Lenny installer arrives
• Ubuntu announces ARM port
• Amazon offers Linux XOs
• Windows 7 "no threat" to netbook Linux
• Creative frees Sound Blaster driver code
• Linux, netbooks threaten Microsoft's fat profits
• Ibex inspires GNOME switch
• Linux to outship Windows in 2009?


Also visit our sister site:


Sign up for LinuxDevices.com's...

news feed

Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum  |  About  |  Contact
 

Ziff Davis Enterprise Home | Contact Us | Advertise | Link to Us | Reprints | Magazine Subscriptions | Newsletters
Tech RSS Feeds | White Papers | ROI Calculators | Tech Podcasts | Tech Video | VARs | Channel News

Baseline | Careers | Channel Insider | CIO Insight | DesktopLinux | DeviceForge | DevSource | eSeminars |
eWEEK | Enterprise Network Security | LinuxDevices | Linux Watch | Microsoft Watch | Mid-market | Networking | PDF Zone |
Publish | Security IT Hub | Strategic Partner | Web Buyer's Guide | Windows for Devices

Developer Shed | Dev Shed | ASP Free | Dev Articles | Dev Hardware | SEO Chat | Tutorialized | Scripts |
Code Walkers | Web Hosters | Dev Mechanic | Dev Archives | igrep

Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2008 Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is prohibited. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.