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Freescale Introduces Industry's Highest-Performance Fully Programmable Digital Signal Processor; New Quad-Core MSC8144 Based on Next-Generation StarCore(TM) Technology Delivers Performance Equivalent to a 4GHz Single-Core DSP
SAN JOSE, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—May 16, 2006—
Freescale Semiconductor (NYSE:FSL) (NYSE:FSL.B) has
introduced its third-generation multicore DSP based on next-generation
SC3400 StarCore(TM) technology. The new MSC8144 DSP is engineered to
deliver leading-edge performance, reduce system costs and
significantly increase channel densities for next-generation wireline
and wireless infrastructure applications providing voice, video and
data services.
The MSC8144 provides an optimal DSP solution for wireline
infrastructure applications, such as carrier-class trunking,
enterprise VoIP media gateways and video conferencing servers.
Wireless applications served by the MSC8144 include wireless voice
transcoding and IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) gateways, video
multi-point conferencing units, baseband cards for 3G, Super 3G and
WiMax basestations, and Layer 2 processing in radio network
controllers (RNCs).
"A prime example of network convergence is 'access anywhere'
communications, enabled by IMS gateways," said Lynelle McKay, vice
president and general manager of Freescale's Digital Systems Division.
"The ability to adapt media sessions as users change locations and
even devices while maintaining exceptional QoS for triple-play
services is invaluable. The MSC8144 multicore DSP provides the
processing performance and flexibility needed to deliver these
converged network capabilities within a low power envelope."
Industry's Highest Performance Programmable DSP
The new MSC8144 takes single-chip DSP integration to a new level
of sophistication. Combining four StarCore DSP cores at up to 1GHz
each, the MSC8144 delivers the industry's highest Gigahertz
performance, equivalent to a 4GHz single-core DSP. It integrates the
industry's largest embedded memory at 10.5Mbytes in a single package,
virtually eliminating the need to attach external memories while
maintaining a highly competitive cost and power per channel.
"Freescale's MSC8144 aims at reaching optimal programmable DSP
performance density with attention to low power per channel and low
cost per channel," said Max Baron, Senior Editor & Principal Analyst,
In-Stat. "These factors are becoming part of the silicon selection
process for many large OEM's in these markets."
Advanced SC3400 Architecture Based on StarCore Technology
The enhanced, deeper pipeline SC3400 DSP core on which the MSC8144
DSP is based enables higher clock rates and adds new Single
Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) instructions, precise exception and
branch prediction. The SC3400 core also supports improved specialized
instructions for Viterbi and video algorithms that virtually double
the performance of previous-generation StarCore DSPs. Each core is
surrounded by a highly efficient 16Kbyte instruction cache, 32Kbyte
data cache and an MMU (memory management unit) for memory and task
protection, enabling development of highly robust software.
"We are very pleased that Freescale has selected the StarCore
SC3400 architecture as the architecture of choice for their
next-generation video and digital communications platforms," said
Craig Trautman, sr. director of Sales and Marketing, StarCore LLC.
"Freescale's multicore SC3400 implementation with the MSC8144 will
pave the way for more effective multimedia and modem processing in
next-generation systems."
Since the advanced SC3400 instructions are a superset of the
current SC140 instructions, MSC8144 software is fully binary and
assembly-code compatible with Freescale's existing portfolio of multi-
and single-core DSPs based on StarCore technology. This compatibility
enables customers to leverage their software investment.
High Data Bandwidth Architecture
The MSC8144 DSP's rich set of peripherals supports a very high I/O
bandwidth, which is important to meeting current and future customer
needs:
-- Dual Gigabit Ethernet interfaces support SGMII and RGMII, and
a 16-bit UTOPIA interface provides ATM support
-- A dual-RISC core implementation of QUICC Engine(TM) technology
enhances overall system performance by offloading
performance-consuming communication tasks from the DSP cores
-- A 4X/1X Serial RapidIO interface delivers high throughput and
robust packet transfer
-- 2048 TDM DS-0 channels handle connectivity to the PSTN
networks
-- 10.5Mbytes internal memory offers the industry's largest
embedded memory
-- An advanced DDR-I/II controller provides an interface to
high-speed, industry-standard memories
-- A 66MHz, 32-bit PCI bus interface provides additional
high-speed connectivity
"Freescale's integration of Serial RapidIO technology on the
MSC8144 further validates the need for open, high-speed interfaces for
the high level of connectivity needed in next-generation
communications equipment," said Tom Cox, executive director of the
RapidIO Trade Association. "The introduction of the MSC8144
exemplifies how Freescale continues to proliferate RapidIO technology
throughout its processor portfolios."
Versatility, Consolidation and Reuse
The highly optimized, yet fully programmable architecture of the
MSC8144 DSP provides unmatched densities for voice and video
transcoding/transrating and data applications integrated in a full
framework.
Meeting the industry need for consolidation and reuse, the
MSC8144's versatility is underscored by its programmability,
scalability and abundance of networking interfaces. This versatility
allows OEMs to adapt to changing standards while using the same
device, hardware platform and tools for multiple applications. The
MSC8144 also enables OEMs to implement different software loads,
resulting in significant savings on development and design of
future-proof products.
Accelerated Time-to-Market
Freescale offers a full set of development tools and enablement
software for the MSC8144 platform solution. The CodeWarrior(TM)
integrated development environment (IDE) from Freescale is a highly
comprehensive, widely used IDE that includes advanced optimizing C/C++
compilers, profiling tools, cycle and instruction accurate simulators,
device drivers and operating systems. The tool set comes with a fully
equipped hardware development platform and reference board design.
The OSEck(R) RTOS from Enea also supports the MSC8144, providing a
fully pre-emptive, full-featured, compact real-time kernel optimized
to provide the high performance and small memory footprint tuned to
meet the specific requirements of DSP systems.
Because the MSC8144 DSP core is code-compatible with previous
generations of Freescale's DSPs based on StarCore technology, existing
customers can start development immediately. To help simplify
development and speed time-to-market, OEMs can license optimized
multimedia codecs and software frameworks from Freescale and from
Freescale's third-party ecosystem partners.
Technology, Packaging and Availability
Based on Freescale's advanced 90nm silicon-on-insulator
technology, the MSC8144 DSP is planned to be available in 1GHz and
800MHz versions in a 783 pin, 29 x 29 mm FC-PBGA (flip-chip plastic
ball grid array) package. General sampling is planned for the third
quarter of 2006. Suggested resale pricing in 10,000-unit quantities
starts at $180 (USD).
About Freescale Semiconductor
Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NYSE:FSL) (NYSE:FSL.B) is a global
leader in the design and manufacture of embedded semiconductors for
the automotive, consumer, industrial, networking and wireless markets.
Freescale became a publicly traded company in July 2004 after more
than 50 years as part of Motorola, Inc. The company is based in
Austin, Texas, and has design, research and development, manufacturing
or sales operations in more than 30 countries. Freescale, a member of
the S&P 500(R), is one of the world's largest semiconductor companies
with 2005 sales of $5.8 billion (USD). www.freescale.com
Reader Inquiry Response:
Freescale Semiconductor
P.O. Box 17927
Denver, CO 80217 USA
Freescale(TM) and the Freescale logo are trademarks of Freescale
Semiconductor, Inc. All other product or service names are the
property of their respective owners. (C) Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
2006.
Contact:
Freescale Semiconductor
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