Industrial High-Performance Networking PowerPC(R)-based Microprocessor Announced by AMCC
AMCC's Fast PPC405EZ Networked Industrial MPU Utilizes Analog and
Digital Peripherals, Including an Innovative Timer Architecture and
IEEE1588 Ethernet, to Enable Networking and Connectivity
SAN JOSE, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—April 3, 2006—
Leveraging its long-established networking expertise, AMCC
(Nasdaq:AMCC) has announced the PowerPC 405EZ networked industrial
processor, the first of a family of high-performance networked
industrial MPUs. The PPC405EZ is available in speeds ranging from 100
MHz to 400 MHz for high-performance, low-power consumption (typically
0.6 Watts) solutions for small-footprint, system-on-a-chip designs.
Key to the performance of the PPC405EZ is its on-board 32 Kbytes of
SRAM, CellularRAM-compatible external bus with arbitration, and 64-bit
on-chip bus, along with a fully configurable Chameleon Timer(C),
IEEE1588-compliant Fast Ethernet, USB and CAN.
Networking has found its way into even the most deeply embedded
devices in the industrial, scientific, and commercial market segments.
Applications that were once the exclusive domain of 8-bit and 16-bit
MCUs performing only a few tasks embedded in isolated equipment is now
often accomplished by tightly networked, intelligent devices with
multi-tasking capabilities. These new systems require higher
performing 32-bit SoCs (system-on-chip) to handle the additional tasks
of networked communications, more sophisticated processing algorithms,
and more complete operating systems such as Linux, while still
providing the low cost and extended temperature operation required by
these classes of equipment. Traditional sub-100 MHz 32-bit RISC-based
and DSP-based MCUs, burdened with their slow speed on-chip busses and
Flash memory, struggle under this new additional communications and
processing workload. Even if these traditional Flash-based MCUs can be
pushed to higher clock speeds, the on-chip Flash and narrow 32-bit bus
speeds do not scale: this usually results in little data and I/O
throughput improvement.
The PPC405EZ's connectivity package consists of one fast Ethernet
port with an integrated IEEE1588 controller, three USB 1.1/2.0 Full
Speed compatible ports, with integrated PHYs, and two CAN 2.0b ports.
Its industrial package consists of an 8-input 10-bit ADC, a 10-bit
DAC, and a "set-and-forget" 15-channel Chameleon Timer(C)/PWM
controller that significantly offloads CPU and software involvement.
The IEEE1588 time base function is fully integrated directly into
these key analog and timer functions to optimize performance and
eliminate CPU involvement in capturing, triggering, and time-stamping
real-time events in devices deployed across entire networks.
As the name implies, the PPC405EZ's unique configurable Chameleon
Timer(C) enables designers to mimic or construct virtually any type of
timer architecture and produce complex deterministic timing functions
without resorting to specialized complex scripting or DSP programming
language expertise. It offloads the CPU and software from being
involved in even the most complex timing and waveform generation
algorithms, thereby freeing the CPU and bus bandwidth for use
elsewhere in the customer's application. Examples of these complex
real-time functions include PWM and space vector PWM functions with
non-overlap times, quadrature encoder sensing and control,
programmable "deadband" intervals, pulse period measurement, 48-bit
input capture function, 48-bit output compare function, and IEEE1588
timestamps.
The PPC405EZ offers a high level of compute processing, analog
I/O, and networking diversity in a single SoC device. With its shift
away from traditional on-chip Flash and external DRAM in favor of
on-chip SRAM and external Flash PSRAMs and CellularRAMs, the PPC405EZ
enables system designers to break through the 80 MHz Flash MCU
"barrier." The PPC405EZ, packaged in 324-pin 23 mm x 23 mm EPGA and
available in industrial (-40 C to +85 C) and extended (-40 C to +105
C) temperature range, is the basis for a highly scalable system
design. The PPC405EZ's "roomy" 1 mm ball pitch results in very
inexpensive and reliable printed circuit board layouts that avoid
blind vias. Cost-effective 150 to 600 DMIPS-class systems -- ranging
from a two-chip solution (PPC405EZ+SPI boot device) to Linux-on-a-chip
and multi-chip multi-master implementations -- can be built based on
the PPC405EZ SoC fed by a single 33-50 MHz oscillator and consuming as
little as 0.6 Watts.
Brian Wilkie, Vice President and Assistant General Manager of the
Integrated Communications Processing Business Unit of AMCC, noted:
"The PPC405EZ networked industrial processor represents a distinct
evolutionary departure from standard microcontrollers. Newer networked
systems are requiring faster speeds, greater flexibility utilizing
buses, optimized external memories, and more configurability in their
timers. The PPC405EZ addresses these challenges at a very effective
price."
The AMCC PPC405EZ networked industrial processor is expected to be
available in sample quantities in the fourth quarter of 2006, at a
suggested resale list of $15.00 in quantities of 10,000 for the 133
MHz industrial temperature version (-40 C to +85 C).
A low-cost, easy-to-use evaluation kit for the PPC405EZ will also
be available in the fourth quarter to facilitate product evaluation
and project development. Through the AMCC Partners Program, AMCC's
PowerPC embedded processors are supported by an ecosystem of
industry-leading suppliers of operating systems, hardware/software
development tools, embedded software, board-level products, and system
design services. For full details of the products and services
available through the AMCC Partners Program, or to browse support
available for a specific processor, please visit:
http://www.amcc.com/Embedded/Partners/.
About AMCC
AMCC (Nasdaq:AMCC) is a global leader in network and embedded
PowerPC processing, optical transport and storage solutions. Sales in
fiscal 2004 were $254 million. Our products enable the development of
converged IP-based networks offering high-speed secure data,
high-definition video, and high-quality voice for carrier,
metropolitan, access, and enterprise applications. AMCC provides
networking equipment vendors with industry-leading network and
communications processing, Ethernet, SONET, and switch fabric
solutions. AMCC is also the leading vendor of high-port count SATA
RAID controllers, enabling low-cost, high-performance, and
high-capacity storage. AMCC's corporate headquarters are located in
Sunnyvale, Calif. 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
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as
"expects," "anticipates," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "will," or
words of similar meaning. Such forward-looking statements, including
statements relating to the products discussed in this press release,
are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including the risk
that the products may not be successfully or timely developed,
completed, or manufactured, or achieve market acceptance, and 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,
and in the Company's other SEC filings. 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 press release are made as of the date hereof and AMCC does not
assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether
as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise.
AMCC is a registered trademark of Applied Micro Circuits
Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective
owners.
Contact:
Reader Contact:
AMCC, Inc.
Rich Flair, 512-372-1711
Fax: 512-372-1701
Email: Email Contact
or
Editorial Contact:
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Fax: 512-275-6568
Email: Email Contact
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