Boston Circuits Adopts Configurable ARC(TM) 750D Cores For its New gCORE(TM) Family of Multicore Processors

31 Oct 2006 16:00

Boston Circuits Inc. and ARC International (LSE:ARK), the worldleader in configurable CPU/DSP cores and application subsystems,announced that Boston Circuits has taken a license for the ARC(TM)750D configurable CPU for integration into Boston Circuits' gCORE(TM)family of multicore processors. Recently announced at the FallMicroprocessor Forum, the gCORE16 integrates sixteen customized ARC750D cores and key system peripherals such as PCI Express, USB, andvideo interfaces on a single chip, making it an ideal main processorfor embedded multimedia applications such as IPTV media centers,network displays and projectors, and color printers and copiers. Builton a unique architecture called Grid on Chip(TM), the gCORE processorssuccessfully balance ease of programming with performance,flexibility, and power efficiency. £ The ARC 750D configurable RISC core includes features such as ahigh performance 7 stage pipeline, dynamic branch prediction unit anda memory management unit for Embedded Linux and other high-endoperating systems. Leveraging the 750D's performance attributes of 1.5DMIPS/MHz, the gCORE16 is expected to achieve over 14,000 DMIPS. £ "We needed a configurable core so that we could customize it tomeet the unique requirements of our Grid on Chip architecture," saidAaron S. Kurland, CTO of Boston Circuits. "The ARC750D core deliverson that front, with the addition of high performance and powerefficiency in a small die size." £ Derek Meyer, senior vice president of sales and marketing at ARC,said, "Boston Circuits is leading the way in the development of a newbreed of multi-core processors that will provide customers withperformance, ease of use, and power efficiency in a low cost package.We are excited to be working with this innovative new company." £ The Configurable ARC(TM) 750D Core £ The configurable ARC 750D core delivers the most power- andarea-efficient 32-bit CPU and DSP processors in its performance classin a unified RISC architecture. At up to 500 MHz and over 800 DMIPSperformance in a 0.13 nanometer process, the ARC 700 Family consistsof the 710D, 725D and 750D cores all of which meet the needs of themost demanding SoC applications, such as graphics, media codecs andpacket processing. The 700 core family also makes an ideal platformfor devices requiring high-end embedded OS's such as Linux. Standardfeatures include DSP instructions, RTOS and secure processing support.ARC's XY Advanced DSP subsystem, Memory Management Unit and FPXfloating point extensions are available options for each core. £ Using ARC's patented configurable CPU technology, SoC designerscan easily optimize an ARC processor for their specific applications.Features and instructions can be added or removed to achieve a highlydifferentiated solution that consumes less power and less siliconarea, and is unique to its creator. £ About Boston Circuits Inc. £ Founded in 2005 by a team of semiconductor, software, andmultimedia experts, Boston Circuits, Inc. is a fabless manufacturer ofmulti-core processors for use in home and office multimedia devices.The Company's unique "Grid on Chip" architecture and "Time Machine"technology deliver the performance, flexibility, and ease of use of adesktop processor, at the cost, power consumption, and size of anembedded system on chip; giving device manufacturers the opportunityto create groundbreaking multimedia products. The Company is based inBurlington, MA and has an office in Yokohama, Japan. £ About ARC International plc £ ARC International is the world leader in configurable subsystemsand CPU/DSP processors that are used by semiconductor companiesworldwide to create system-on-chip (SoC) designs that provide astrategic competitive advantage. ARC's patented configurable productsare smaller, consume less power, are less expensive to manufacture,and provide a higher degree of differentiation over what can becreated using "fixed architecture" core alternatives. £ ARC International maintains a worldwide presence with corporateand research and development offices in California and Elstree, UK.For more information visit www.ARC.com. ARC International is listed onthe London Stock Exchange as ARC International plc (LSE:ARK). £ ARC and the ARC logo are trademarks or registered trademarks ofARC International. All other brands or product names contained hereinare the property of their respective owners. This press release maycontain certain "forward-looking statements" that involve risks anduncertainties. For factors that could cause actual results to differ,visit the company's website as well as the listing particulars filedwith the United Kingdom Listing Authority and the Registrar ofCompanies in England and Wales. Copyright Business Wire 2006