Motorola Extends M-CORE Technology Offerings with Fully Synthesizable Core for Enhanced System-on-a-Chip Development.AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 12, 1999-- New M210-S Core Is Targeted for Licensing and Rapid Deployment of M-CORE A low-power, RISC-based microprocessor from Motorola used in embedded systems. Providing 32-bit registers for data, it uses 16-bit instructions to keep code density small and a 16-bit bus to use lower-cost memory. Introduced in late 1997, the M-CORE chip has been widely deployed in cellphones, PDAs, GPS systems as well as airbags and other automotive control systems. Architecture Across Multiple Manufacturing Processes Designers of embedded technologies can now enjoy rapid system development as a result of a new, fully synthesizable core introduced by Motorola Wednesday that can be reconfigured for a variety of process technologies and is adaptable to different design rules. Driven by the demand for increased flexibility in design, test and process portability, Motorola's M-CORE Technology Center (MTC) unveiled the M210-S fully synthesizable version of its popular M-CORE architecture. Like other cores in the M200 family, the M210-S boasts the ideal combination of code density The amount of space that an executable program takes up in memory. Code density is important in PDAs and handheld devices that contain a limited amount of memory. See Thumb., low power drain and performance with the same support that is available for the M210 standard version. While it offers the same high-performance characteristics as the original M-CORE design, the synthesized version tends to use slightly larger real estate and can exhibit minor speed and power variations. The M210-S core illustrates Motorola's ongoing commitment to the M200 family of products, from the core architecture to M210 core-based system-on-chips. "The M210-S was a direct result of Motorola's years of experience in delivering full-featured synthesized cores, and enables rapid system-on-a-chip (SOC) deployment when combined with Motorola's libraries of peripherals," said Jim Thomas, Motorola's vice president and director of the M-CORE Technology Center. "The M210-S implementation provides an alternative solution for designers that lets them take advantage of a wide range of industry- leading tools that are also compatible with standard ASIC design flows." The M210-S delivers the raw performance of a 32-bit RISC processor with the code size advantages of a 16-bit instruction set. The M210-S is also fully synthesizable and technology independent, permitting low-cost implementations across different process technologies with a wide range of operating frequencies and voltages. In addition, the M210-S has architectural compatibility with the M210 core, allowing systems designers to leverage from previously developed M210 software and development tools, multiple RTOSs, and code bases. The M210-S core will be available for licensing and integration in the third quarter of 1999. "Our strategy is to offer synthesizable cores for rapid time-to-market, licensing and prototyping, while also offering hand- packed cores optimized for low power," said Thomas. "This way customers can decide if they want a core that takes full advantage of the M-CORE architecture's ultra-low-power design or one that is quickly deployable but still able to take advantage of the core's high code density." About M-CORE Quickly recognized by the embedded market as an innovative solution for many design needs since its October 1997 introduction, Motorola's ultra-low-power, microRISC M-CORE architecture boasts a multitude of design wins in the demand-driven electronics, portable, consumer, wireless, industrial and transportation markets. The M-CORE technology combines Motorola's unparalleled technical RISC experience with its vast expertise in control-oriented applications. Designed with optimized growth in mind, the core's inherent design features and best-of-class development tools deliver a cutting-edge solution that is ideal for a wide range of highly integrated, low-power, embedded computing applications where memory efficiency, time-to-market and system cost are critical. About Motorola As the world's No. 1 producer of embedded processors, Motorola's Semiconductor Products Sector offers multiple DigitalDNA(tm) solutions which enable its customers to create new business opportunities in the consumer, networking-and-computing, transportation, and wireless- communications markets. Motorola's worldwide semiconductor sales were $7.3 billion in l998. Visit the Semiconductor Products Sector's Web site at http://mot-sps.com/cgi-bin/my-mot/moto.cgi. Motorola is a global leader in providing integrated communications solutions and embedded electronic solutions. Sales in 1998 were $29.4 billion. Motorola's Web site is located at http://www.motorola.com/. NOTE: All tradenames, trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners. M-CORE is a trademark of Motorola Inc. |
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