|
|
|
AMCC Unveils High Performance PowerPC'R' Processor for Embedded Storage and Networking Applications
440SPe Processor Offers Higher Bandwidth, Connectivity and Three
PCI Express Interfaces
SAN JOSE, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Oct. 5, 2004—
At the Fall Microprocessor Forum, Applied Micro Circuits Corp.
(AMCC) (NASDAQ: AMCC) today unveiled its high performance PowerPC(R)
440SPe processor. Based on the PowerPC 440 superscalar core, the
PowerPC 440SPe offers higher bandwidth, PCI Express based connectivity
and design flexibility for demanding embedded storage and networking
applications.
The first processor to offer three independent PCI Express
interfaces and one PCI-X version 2.0 interface, AMCC's PowerPC 440SPe
is ideally suited for RAID controllers and storage area networking
(SAN) equipment. The 440SPe supports one 8-lane PCI Express upstream
interface and two 4-lane downstream interfaces. In addition, the
440SPe supports a 64-bit PCI-X interface, which operates at double
data rate (DDR266), with a peak bandwidth of 2.13GBps. The PCI Express
and PCI-X interfaces can function as an opaque PCI Express to PCI
Express or PCI Express to PCI-X bridge, allowing data to be
transferred directly between these buses. The processor's
CoreConnect(TM) 128-bit Processor Local Bus (PLB) is implemented with
a two-way crossbar architecture, each segment has separate 128-bit
read and write data buses that may operate concurrently, providing up
to 10.4GBps of total on-chip bandwidth at 166MHz.
"By announcing a new PowerPC chip less than six months after
acquiring a significant portfolio of PowerPC intellectual property
from IBM, AMCC is demonstrating its serious intent to be a major
PowerPC supplier alongside IBM and Freescale," said Tom R. Halfhill,
senior analyst for In-Stat/MDR's Microprocessor Report. "In addition,
the new PowerPC440SPe is important in its own right, bringing the
latest PCI Express interfaces to networking I/O and storage
applications."
The PowerPC 440SPe also offers an XOR accelerator, performing
functions critical for storage applications, such as parity generation
and check functions to safeguard against data corruption. I/O
processing and other applications using multiple processors can also
benefit from the integrated messaging unit, designed to meet I20
specifications. The 440SPe incorporates an enhanced DDR memory
controller that supports DDR I 166/333 and DDR II 333/667 memory
devices. The 256KB on-chip SRAM can be configured to enhance
performance either as an L2 cache or as a memory-mapped SRAM for
low-latency access, ideal for storing data packets, critical code
segments, Ethernet or DMA descriptors, or other application-specific
data.
The PowerPC 440SPe also integrates an extensive set of peripherals
including a gigabit Ethernet MAC (GENET), two IIC controllers, a host
of GPIO pins and three UARTs that support various functions in user
applications.
"We are pleased to bring the performance of our storage solutions
and operating system technology to the next generation of POWER
embedded devices such as, AMCC's PowerPC 440SPe," said Jim Schrand,
vice president of marketing, Wasabi Systems. "We are especially
excited about the PowerPC 440SPe as it breaks new ground by offering
customers a remarkable level of bandwidth and connectivity to meet the
requirements of tomorrow's demanding applications."
"The feature rich PowerPC 440SPe is a valuable addition to AMCC's
high performance PowerPC 440 core, continuing its legacy of
exceptional support for compute-intensive applications. We are excited
that MontaVista Software will continue to enable developers selecting
Linux as the preferred OS for optimizing applications running on
PowerPC 440 family of devices," commented Joe Samagond, director of
corporate marketing, MontaVista Software.
AMCC's PowerPC processors are supported by AMCC and more than 100
third-party vendors to provide a full range of tools necessary for
manufacturers to develop products quickly and efficiently. Sampling
for the 440SPe will begin in the first quarter of 2005. For additional
technical information, visit http://www.amcc.com/BestInClass/440SPe.
For a photo of this device, visit
http://www.amcc.com/BestInClass/440SPePhoto.
About AMCC
AMCC provides the essential building blocks for the processing,
moving and storing of information worldwide. The company blends
systems and software expertise with high-performance, high-bandwidth
silicon integration to deliver silicon, hardware and software
solutions for global wide area networks (WAN), embedded applications,
storage area networks (SAN), and high-growth storage markets such as
Serial ATA (SATA) RAID. AMCC's corporate headquarters are located in
San Diego, California. Sales and engineering offices are located
throughout the world. For further information regarding AMCC, please
visit our web site at http://www.amcc.com.
Forward Looking Statements
The statements contained in this press release that are not purely
historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements,
including statements relating to the products and markets discussed in
this press release are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties,
including the risk that the products would not be successfully or
timely developed, completed or manufactured or achieve market
acceptance or that the markets for these products will not materialize
or grow as anticipated, risks relating to general economic conditions,
as well as the risks and uncertainties set forth in the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2004, and in
other filings of the Company with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, actual
results may differ materially from these forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made
as of the date hereof and AMCC does not assume any obligation to
update any forward-looking statement.
Product photos, datasheets and application notes are available
upon request. AMCC is a registered trademark of Applied Micro Circuits
Corporation.
PowerPC and CoreConnect are registered trademarks of the
International Business Machines Corporation.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Contact:
Applied Micro Circuits Corp., San Diego
Tom Hume, 858-535-3274
Email: thume@amcc.com
or
AMCC Editorial Contact:
The Ardell Group
Emily Agan, 858-792-2939
Email: emily@ardellgroup.com
|
|
|