Configurable SoC ICs

today revealed successful fabrication of the first of a family of configurable System-on-Chip ICs that addresses a variety of applications, including digital engines for printers, scanners and other embedded control applications.

Based upon ST's Structured Processor Enhanced Architecture (SPEAr), the device reportedly integrates an ARM core with a full set of IP (intellectual property) blocks and a configurable logic block that allows very fast customisation of critical functions in a fraction of the time and at a fraction of the cost required by a full custom design approach, but with a comparable level of flexibility and performance.

The family is based on industry-standard ARM cores that maximise the reuse of existing hardware and software blocks. The architecture includes a number of proven IPs for connectivity, memory interfaces, and a high-performance internal bus system.

Finally, a customisable embedded-logic block allows quick development of optimised solutions for specific markets by allowing customers to add their own proprietary IP to an ASSP (application-specific standard product) without embarking on a full ASIC design.

The new device includes: an ARM946ES running at 192MHz with 8-kbyte of data cache, instruction cache, data-TCM (Tightly Coupled Memory) and instruction-TCM, respectively; three USB2.0 ports (including both host and device ports); an Ethernet 10/100 MAC; a 16-channel 8-bit A/D converter; an I2C interface; three UARTs; memory interfaces; and 400-kgate equivalent programmable logic.

Samples of this first member of the family are already available, with pricing in the range of $13 in volume quantities. Full evaluation boards will be shipping in September.

A special dual-mode development environment has been implemented to allow ST customers to develop their solution with an external FPGA, and then verify the solution and map it into the configurable logic inside the chip, both quickly and easily.

Additionally, to provide more flexibility in the development ST will also provide a simplified version with the programmable logic completely removed for any device in the family.