Toshiba Launches New 64-Bit RISC Microprocessor, Its First Embedded PCI-Based Processor With 90-Nanometer Process Technology
Highly Integrated Microprocessor Boasts Performance and Features Required for Digital Consumer Applications
SAN FRANCISCO, March 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. (TAEC)* today announced the introduction of a new 64-bit single-chip MIPS-based(TM) reduced instruction set computer (RISC) microprocessor. Designated TX4939XBG-400, the new device is Toshiba Corporation's (Toshiba's) first embedded Peripheral Component Interconnect- (PCI-) based processor that uses its industry-leading 90-nanometer (nm) process technology and the proprietary TX49/H4 400-megahertz (MHz) CPU core. It is targeted at diverse digital consumer applications, including IP set-top box, home gateways and multimedia appliances. Sample shipments are scheduled to begin in August 2005 with mass production expected to start in October 2005 at a production volume of 100,000 units per month.
"The Toshiba TX4939XBG-400 is our first embedded PCI-based TX System RISC processor with 90nm process technology. It blends the processing power and rich feature set required for digital consumer applications by integrating a high-performance security engine, serial and parallel video ports, battery back-up support, multiple hard disk interfaces, DDR memory and Ethernet controllers," said Shardul Kazi, vice president of the RISC Microprocessor and Multimedia Business Unit at TAEC.
"We are continuing to pursue a total solution strategy by designing reference platforms based on our existing TX49-based ASSPs," Mr. Kazi further explained. "Using these reference platforms, we have developed middleware, ported many applications and garnered valuable customer feedback for further advancements. As a case in point, with its integration of required functions, our new TX4939XBG-400 lowers system cost and reduces time-to-market for our reference platform customers. Some of our existing strategic customers have already expressed interest in developing systems based on this latest processor."
Product Overview and Key Features
The TX4939XBG-400 has multiple on-chip peripheral functions, including an 8/16-bit local bus controller, a highly optimized security engine, serial/parallel video ports, ATA controllers, a DDR SDRAM controller, a NAND flash controller, Ethernet MAC controllers (RMII), a PCI controller, a DMA controller, an interrupt controller, an AC-link controller, serial and parallel ports, timers/counters and a real-time clock (RTC) with battery back- up support.
Key features of the microprocessor are as follows:
* Contains Toshiba's latest original 64-bit processor core, the Toshiba
TX49/H4, which is based on the RISC architecture developed by MIPS
Technologies, Inc.
* Employs 90nm process technology to achieve 400MHz operating frequency
with low- power consumption
* Integrates a high-performance security engine that off-loads the CPU
core for implementing the IPSec, SSL and FEC algorithms and enabling
content protection
* Incorporates a large-capacity 4-way set associative cache memory with
32KB instruction cache and 32KB data cache for an improved cache hit
ratio, increased device processing speed and better performance
* Has an 8/16-bit local bus for NAND/NOR flash and other input/output
devices
* Has two 100MB ATA/ATPI channels that enable high-performance data
transfer simultaneously from a DVD drive and a hard disk drive
* Contains three serial or one serial and one 8-bit parallel video ports
compliant to the ITU Bt.656 standard
* Has a 32-bit DDR400 SDRAM controller
* Incorporates on-chip Ethernet MAC controllers and a NAND flash memory
controller that increase performance and reduce system cost
* Features a high-power PCI controller that handles six PCI host devices
and eliminates the need for a PCI-to-PCI bridge
* Supports popular operating systems, including VxWorks(R) from Wind River
Systems, Inc., MontaVista(TM) Linux(R) from MontaVista Software, Inc.
and Microsoft(R) Windows(R) CE .NET from Microsoft Corporation.
Pricing and Availability
Sample shipments are planned to start in August, with mass production starting in October at a production volume of 100K units/month. Pricing is $25.00 each in 10,000-piece quantities. A reference board, RBTX4939, will also be available for customer evaluation.
Technical Specification Summary
Part Number TX4939XBG-400
Instruction Cache 32KB
Data Cache 32KB
Power Supply Internal: 1.2V, DDR 2.5V, I/O 3.3V
Voltage
Maximum Operating Internal: 400MHz, External Bus: 200MHz
Voltage
FPU On-chip Single/Double Precision Floating Point Unit
On-chip Peripheral - 32-bit DDR SDRAM Controller (2 channels, supports
Functions DDR400, DDR333, or DDR266)
- External Bus Controller (4 channels, supports all
ROM, SRAM, I/O devices)
- PCI Controller (6 channels, 33/66MHz)
- 10Base-T/100M Ethernet MAC Controller (2 channels)
- ATA/ATAPI Interface (2 channels: Ultra ATA100)
- DMA Controller (8 channels)
- NAND Flash Memory Controller
- Security Engine (Cipher function)
(DES/3DES/AES/RSA/SHA1/MD5)
- AC-Link Controller (audio/modem CODEC)/I(2)S
Controller (5.1 channels and 2 channels)
- UART (4 channels)
- Timer (6 channels)
- 8-bit Video Parallel Port (CCIR656)
- Synchronous Serial Interface (SPI: Serial
Peripheral Interface)
- RTC with battery back-up support
- SSCG support
Package 456-pin BGA package (27mm x 27mm, 1.00 mm ball pitch,
36 thermal holes)
About the Toshiba TX System RISC Family of Microprocessors
Toshiba forged an alliance with MIPS Technologies, Inc. in 1989. Today, Toshiba offers a full family of MIPS-based RISC microprocessors and peripheral circuits. The Toshiba TX System RISC family consists of 32- and 64-bit processors available as standard products or as an ASIC tailored for an embedded design. The family is comprised of a range of processors from low- power consuming to high-performance and includes special functions essential for the design of embedded products, such as reduced code size and real-time capability. Toshiba offers access to expert technology professionals for design questions and application support.
Toshiba also offers TX39/49/99 System RISC Reference Platforms consisting of hardware, software and system integration tools and documentation based on products from Toshiba. This modular, configurable approach provides a ready- to-use bill of materials and will evolve with the customer's design and industry standards. Customers get a jump on software development and on the competition. Platforms are available for home-entertainment, IP set-top-box, industrial-control, mobile and wireless, and other digital consumer applications.
*About TAEC
Combining quality and flexibility with design engineering expertise, TAEC brings a breadth of advanced, next-generation technologies to its customers. This broad offering includes semiconductors, flash memory-based storage solutions, and displays for the computing, wireless, networking, automotive and digital consumer markets.
TAEC is an independent operating company owned by Toshiba America, Inc., a subsidiary of Toshiba Corporation, one of the five largest semiconductor companies worldwide in terms of global sales for the year 2003 according to Gartner/Dataquest's Worldwide Semiconductor Market Share Ranking. Toshiba is a world leader in high-technology products with more than 300 major subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide. For additional company and product information, please visit TAEC's website at chips.toshiba.com. For technical inquiries, please e-mail Tech.Questions@taec.toshiba.com.
Information in this press release, including product pricing and specifications, content of services and contact information, is current and believed to be accurate on the date of the announcement, but is subject to change without prior notice. Technical and application information contained here is subject to the most recent applicable Toshiba product specifications. In developing designs, please ensure that Toshiba products are used within specified operating ranges as set forth in the most recent Toshiba product specifications and the information set forth in Toshiba's "Handling Guide for Semiconductor Devices," or "Toshiba Semiconductor Reliability Handbook." This information is available at http://www.chips.toshiba.com/, or from your TAEC representative.
All trademarks and tradenames used herein are the properties of their respective holders. MIPS-based is a trademark of MIPS Technologies, Inc. VxWorks is a registered trademark of Wind River, Inc. MontaVista is a trademark of MontaVista Software, Inc. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
CONTACT: Judy Kahn, +1-650-948-8881, judith.kahn@comcast.net, for TAEC;
or Deborah Chalmers of Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc.,
+1-408-526-2454, deborah.chalmers@taec.toshiba.com
Web site: http://www.toshiba.com/taec
Web site: http://www.chips.toshiba.com/
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