Contributors: Bob Wheeler, Jag Bolaria, Joseph Byrne In This Issue
A Guide to Wireless Handset Processors is now available for immediate delivery. Are you up to speed on the processors found in wireless devices such as smartphones, 3D/multimedia phones, and PDA/media players? For more information, visit our web site. PMC-Sierra jumped into the DSL market with this week's announcement of its MSP7120 gateway processor. The chip pairs an ADSL2+ data pump, licensed from Aware, with the new 34K multithreaded CPU from MIPS Technologies. Going full throttle, the chip can forward packets at 180Kpps, and it can also handle up to four voice channels. The MSP7130, a derivative of the 7120 without the DSL core, can be used in VDSL2 or EPON gateways (in the latter case, combined with PMC's new Passave technology.) These processors are the first to use the MIPS 34K CPU. As described at our January seminar, the 34K has a two-tiered approach to multithreading. The CPU can be divided into two virtual processor elements (VPE) and thereby present itself to the OS as a two CPUs. Each VPE can be further subdivided into thread contexts (TC). QoS mechanisms within the 34K guarantee that a VPE or TC gets a minimum percentage of CPU cycles, ensuring that time-sensitive tasks (such as voice processing) complete on time. Using these features, PMC can implement control-plane, data-plane, and voice processing simultaneously on the 34K CPU, eliminating the need for multiple CPU or DSP cores. A single-threaded CPU would have to run at a much faster clock speed (and burn more power) to achieve similar throughput. PMC enters the DSL CPE market at a time of transition. Basic data-only modems are giving way to gateways with VoIP capability and additional packet-processing performance. Some chip suppliers are late in making this transition, but to win designs against competitors that are already delivering integrated gateway processors, PMC must deliver not just a unique architecture and high performance, but also cost efficiencies and a complete software package. —Joe Complete
coverage of PMC-Sierra's MSP7120 appears in our upcoming report
A Guide to SOHO
Gateway Processors. Extending its line of PowerQuicc processors using the Quicc Engine (QE), Freescale this past week announced the MPC8323E. The 8323E is a secure processor with a single QE running at 200MHz. More than just a cut-down version of the 8360, the new device is the first to use Freescale's e300c2 CPU core. The c2 adds a second integer unit to the original e300 architecture and triples the speed of the integer multiplier. Freescale claims that the new 333MHz CPU needs less than 10% of its cycles to handle two low-bit-rate voice channels. The new chip reflects Freescale's renewed interest in consumer and SOHO networking applications. Unlike PMC-Sierra (see elsewhere in this issue), Freescale has not taken the dramatic step of integrating one of the technologies central to these applications—broadband and wireless LAN. Instead, Freescale is content to chase high-end gateways that combine broadband, networking, and CPU chips from multiple vendors. In this niche, the company competes against Intel with its IXP400 family. The 8323 is a good alternative, but Freescale did not add High Speed (480Mbps) USB and Gigabit Ethernet interfaces, which would have given the part a clear advantage over the IXP400. Freescale promises that the 8323 is the first in a series of parts targeting consumer and SOHO applications, so the company will be able to rectify these shortcomings in future devices. —Joe Complete coverage of the MPC8323E appears in our upcoming report A Guide to SOHO Gateway Processors.
Earlier this month, Infineon announced it has tested its first handset processor using 65nm technology. Although the company did not announce details of this product, it appears to be a follow-on to the S-Gold3, a GSM/EDGE processor with integrated security and multimedia functions. The 65nm technology should increase the performance of the CPU while enabling the device to operate at lower voltages. All of Infineon's 65nm processors will be built at Chartered Semiconductor; the two companies codeveloped the 65nm technology along with IBM and Samsung. Although Infineon is not the first to sample a 65nm handset processor, competition is scarce. Qualcomm and Freescale are each sampling a single 65nm handset processor. Texas Instruments is using its 65nm technology mainly for Nokia; TI plans to introduce 65nm into its merchant product line within the next few months. Other vendors will lag further behind, giving a technology advantage to Infineon and other early leaders. Infineon also recently tested early samples of the E-GoldVoice processor, which targets ultra-low-cost handsets. This phone-on-a-chip integrates a CPU, 2.5G baseband, memory, power management, and much of the radio circuitry into a single 8x8mm package. The device will sample to handset makers starting in July. This high level of integration is needed to reduce handset manufacturing cost below $40, a key target for boosting sales in developing countries. —Linley Additional coverage of Infineon's handset processors appears in our recent report A Guide to Wireless Handset Processors. DSP analyst firm BDTI has benchmarked Texas Instruments new C55x+ DSP core, which will be available in handset processors starting in 2007. BDTI found that a 500MHz C55x+ will be roughly 2.5 times faster than the 250MHz C55x used in current TI handset processors. This increase is due partly to the improvement in clock speed and partly to architectural enhancements. The extra performance will come in handy for supporting advanced multimedia functions in next-generation handsets. —Linley For more information on the C55x+ and benchmark scores, access BDTI's web site at http://www.bdti.com/bdtimark/BDTImark2000.htm.
Residential and SOHO gateways are evolving rapidly as home networking technology changes and service providers roll out faster broadband links with new services such as voice and video. Powering these gateways are inexpensive yet flexible processors packed with features to support these changes. Leading this market are companies such as Broadcom, Conexant, Texas Instruments, and Atheros that have combined their wireless, broadband, or VoIP technologies with basic RISC CPUs. Competitors such as Ikanos, Infineon, and PMC-Sierra are challenging the incumbents with new designs that have integrated voice processing and dedicated packet processing to handle faster networks. The result is a rich array of options from several new and established vendors. A Guide to SOHO Gateway Processors provides an in-depth look at the products and vendors for this market. Building on our "Guide to Communications Processors" published last year, this report provides extensive coverage of processors with integrated DSL, cable, 802.11, and/or voice functions. It also provides background on this market and helps you sort through the plethora of CPE and networking technologies. This detailed report, packed with valuable information, brings you up-to-date on the latest developments in broadband and home networking. It can provide the analysis and product comparisons you need to help choose a supplier or partner in this field. Order by June 30 to take advantage of a special prepublication discount. For more information on this report, visit our web site. To receive Linley on CE via e-mail, you must register on our web site
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