New 64-Bit RISC Microprocessor From Toshiba Has Built-In Data Encryption Standard Algorithm

SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. (TAEC) today announced a new 64-bit MIPS-based RISC microprocessor (MPU) that brings high-level security to data transmissions in all high-performance packet processing applications. The new MPU supports the data encryption standard (DES) algorithm, the most widely used encryption standard, and achieves highly secure data transfers in various networking and communications applications.

"Data protection is one of the most serious challenges that networking and communications system providers are facing," said Farhad Mafie, vice president of the ASSP Business Unit at TAEC. "It is no small task to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of information during transmission over the Internet or Intranet. Toshiba has addressed this problem by offering a high-performance, highly-integrated 64-bit MIPS-based RISC networking/communications processor that has a built-in DES engine."

The new microprocessor, TMPR4926XB-200, is based on a TX49/H2 core operating at 200 megahertz (MHz). Its design integrates Toshiba's TMPR4925XB-200 CPU with a dedicated DES algorithm in a single chip, allowing use of the TMPR4925XB-200's software and development environment. The MPU supports a wide range of applications with built-in controllers for peripheral component interconnect (PCI), direct memory access (DMA) and NAND flash memory.

"Toshiba's TMPR4926XB processor provides a complete system solution for networking and communications equipment," said Tetsuro Wada, director of Platform Development of the ASSP Business Unit at TAEC. "A high-performance 64-bit MIPS RISC core has been coupled with carefully selected peripherals to meet these system requirements. The high-performance DES engine provides hardware encryption and decryption without loading the central processing unit with software emulation overhead. This is a key system performance advantage."

Market Background

As broadband Internet connections become prevalent, more and more companies are promoting private data networks as a vehicle for electronic business. Virtual Private Networks use the public telecommunications infrastructure but maintain privacy by using a tunneling protocol and security procedures. This approach necessitates high-level encryption, a requirement that Toshiba meets with the new processor.

Secure data transmission first encrypts data to be transmitted, turning it into unintelligible code, and decrypts it into its original form on receipt. In such a system, security depends on the security of the key used to encode and decode the data. Although the encryption algorithm specified in the DES algorithm is common, a unique key for each transaction protects the security of data. Encrypted data can be deciphered only by using a key identical to that used to encipher it. Even if unauthorized recipients of enciphered data have access to the DES algorithm, they cannot access original data without the correct key.

    Key Features
    Key features of the microprocessor include:
     -- Integration of DES circuitry supports the design of network equipment
        for VPN.  In order to enhance the security level, DES-cipher block
        mode (CBC) can be supported by adding triplicate DES and a feedback
        loop.
     -- A standard built-in Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus
        interface allows the new microprocessor to interface with Toshiba's
        TC86C001FG companion chip, which integrates support for six key
        controllers:  PCI bus, AT-Attachment (ATA), ATA Packet Interface
        (ATAPI), Universal Serial Bus (USB) host, USB device and Inter-IC
        (I2C) bus.  In home servers and home gateways, built-in hard disk
        drives are a potential application.
     -- The NAND flash memory controller supports design of digital consumer
        and network equipment and eliminates external components.

Pricing and Availability

Samples of TMPR4926XB-200 are now available at $28 per piece in 10,000- piece quantities. Mass production is slated to begin in October 2002 at 100,000 units per month.

                       Technical Specification Summary

     Part Number              TMPR4926XB-200

     Instruction Cache        16 kilobytes (Kbytes)

     Data Cache               16Kbytes

     Power Supply             1.5 Volts (V) internal, 3.3V input/output

     Maximum Operating
      Frequency               200MHz internal, 80MHz external bus at
                               32-bit width

     Built-in Peripherals     -- Synchronous dynamic random access memory
                                (SDRAM) controller
                                (4 channels:  SDRAM/SyncFlash)
                              -- External bus controller (6 channels:  read
                                 only memory/static random access memory/ I/O
                                 device)
                              -- PCI controller (4 channels, 33MHz at
                                 32-bit width)
                              -- DMA controller (4 channels)
                              -- NAND Flash memory controller
                              -- DES circuit
                              -- AC-Link controller (audio and modem codec)
                              -- PCMCIA interface (2 slots)
                              -- Synchronous serial interface (serial
                                 peripheral interface)

     Package                  Plastic ball grid array-256-pin

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, optical communication devices, displays and rechargeable batteries 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, the second largest semiconductor company worldwide in terms of global sales for the year 2001 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 web site at chips.toshiba.com. For technical inquiries, please e-mail Tech.Questions@taec.toshiba.com .

All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

For further information please contact Deborah Chalmers of Toshiba America Electronics Components, Inc., +1-408-526-2454, deborah.chalmers@taec.toshiba.com; or Agency contact, Judy Kahn, +1-650-948-8881, judygkahn@msn.com, for Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc.