A Guide to
High-Speed Embedded Processors
  
Fifth Edition 

PDF (384 KB) This downloadable PDF contains the complete table of contents, list of figures, list of tables, preface, and executive summary.

Looking for a Fast Processor?

The number of markets for high-speed processors continues to grow. In networking alone, these speedy chips are needed for complex functions such as intrusion detection and other security functions, storage management, router control plane, and networking services. Consumer devices such as set-top boxes, HDTV receivers, and automobile navigation systems also need high-performance CPUs, as do high-speed printers, thin clients, kiosks, industrial control, medical imaging, and a host of other devices.

These applications share a need for speed but also the flexibility that a general-purpose processor provides. These chips use standard instruction sets such as MIPS, PowerPC, ARM, and x86, allowing programmers to use a wide variety of operating systems and development tools. System designers prefer a chip that integrates easily into their designs.

These applications have diverse requirements for performance, power dissipation, peripheral integration, and price. As a result, several vendors are selling dozens of different processors into the embedded market. In fact, we had to exclude processors below 400MHz or so, a speed range that is easily achievable by synthesizable cores today. This report focuses on companies developing their own CPUs to deliver extra performance to the customers that need it most.

Get the Facts Quickly

"A Guide to High-Speed Embedded Processors" provides an in-depth look at these products and vendors. This completely revised report from The Linley Group provides extensive coverage of high-end embedded processors with 230+ pages of information on AppliedMicro, AMD, Broadcom, Cavium, Freescale, IBM, Intel, Marvell, NetLogic/RMI, Tilera, Ubicom, and Via Technologies.

The report focuses on general-purpose RISC and x86 processors at speeds of 400MHz and above, excluding specialized architectures (e.g. DSP, NPU). This report covers most PowerQuicc and P-series chips from Freescale; the PowerPC 405 and 460 processors from AppliedMicro plus the company’s new 1.5GHz APM83290 processor; Intel’s embedded Atom and Nehalem-based processors; the entire Octeon family from Cavium plus the company's new ARM-based Econa CNS3xxx processors; NetLogic/RMI's XLR, XLS, and XLP; Marvell's Discovery and Kirkwood processors; Tilera's TilePro many-core chips, and other RISC and x86 processors.

This handy guide, packed with valuable information, brings you up-to-date on the newest developments in this important market and gives you the analysis you need to help choose a supplier or partner in this field. In addition to networking, the report discusses processors that can be used in high-end consumer applications and printers. It also provides market share and market size data for the embedded segments covered.

“A Guide to High-Speed Embedded Processors” begins with tutorials on the key technologies implemented by these products, background on the embedded market, and a discussion of the newest technology and market trends. Following these introductory chapters, the report delivers thorough coverage of all announced products in this area. For each of these vendors, the report examines the performance, feature set, and architecture of each product, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses in a consistent, easy-to-compare fashion. The report concludes with our own comparisons of these products and conclusions about which will fare best.

Make Informed Decisions

Analysts Joseph Byrne and Linley Gwennap bring their extensive experience in the processor market to deliver the technical and strategic information you need to make informed business decisions. As the leading vendor of technology analysis for networking silicon, The Linley Group has the expertise to deliver the technical and strategic information you need to make informed business decisions.

Whether you are looking for the most effective solution for your application, a vendor to partner with, or a rising company to invest in, this report will cut your research time and save you money. Get the inside scoop on this market segment. Order “A Guide to High-Speed Embedded Processors” today.

This report is written for:

• Engineers who are designing embedded systems that require high-performance processors.
• Marketing and engineering staff at companies that sell chips that connect to or interact with high-speed embedded processors.
• Technology professionals who wish an introduction to embedded processors.
• Financial analysts who desire a detailed analysis and comparison of embedded-processor vendors and their chances of success.
• Press and public-relations professionals who need to get up to speed on this technology.