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MAY 20th, 2005
Tensilica, Inc. has reported that its Xtensa LX processor, a reconfigurable
licensable core, has obtained the highest score ever reported on the Networking Version 2.0 benchmark suite of the Embedded
Microprocessor Benchmark Consortium (EEMBC). The scores, which were based on simulation, where compared to other popular microprocessor
cores. Tensilica indicated that the Xtensa scored high because the Xtensa LX has a 4X code density advantage and a 100X advantage
in die area and power dissipation.
Tensilica, founded in 1997, also has a high score in the core licensee
department. These licensees are from a wide variety of companies in the electronic industry - from small fabless
companies, to large IDMS and system companies. Well known customers that Tensilica lists as customers include ALPS, Cisco
Systems, Fujitsu Ltd., Hughes Network Systems, LG Electronics, NEC Laboratories America, Nippon Telephone and Telegraph, Olympus
Optical Co. Ltd., Seiko Epson, Sony and Victor Company of Japan (JVC). In the tier one semiconductor market, Tensilica names
Agilent, ATI, Broadcom, Conexant Systems, Cypress Semiconductor, FujiFilm Microdevices, Marvell Technology Group, NEC Corporation,
NVIDIA, and STMicroelectronics as customers.
Also on Tensilica's customer list are a number of less well-known operations,
which include smaller fabless companies and research organizations: AMCC(JNI Corporation), Astute Networks, Avision, Bay Microsystems,
Berkeley Wireless Research Center, Crimson Microsystems, ETRI, Hudson Soft, Ikanos Communications, NetEffect, Neterion, sci-worx,
Solid State Systems, Stretch, and TranSwitch Corporation.
MAY 3rd, 2005
Mass spectrometry based on FPGA design architectures may offer cost-performance
benefits that far exceed what can be obtained with today's microprocessors. Research through the Blueprint Initiative by Edward
S. Rogers Sr. indicates that computational intensive genetic analyses tasks could be greatly reduced with an FPGA based design
architecture. As well, Userspace also is looking into FPGA based processors to enable real time analysis of large amounts
of genetic data. The company is presently evalulating IPFlex's configurable processor for use in a mass spectrometry application.
Sanjaya Joshi, CTO of Userspace commented, "With protein characterization now one of the cornerstones of Systems Biology,
real-time mass spectrometry will spearhead the understanding of disease processes. This means tagging and searching of mass
spectral data in real-time. The IPFlex DAPDNA platform would be evaluated as a flow-processor for this standardization."
Koichi Hagishima, President and CEO of IPFlex, states: "Userspace is the
first customer in the US since starting sales and marketing activities in January. We believe the field of life sciences is
where much growth is expected, and are excited that our products are adding value to the users in this field. I look forward
to a successful working relationship with Userspace."
The DAPDNA-2 dual-core processor from IPFlex includes a RISC processor
core, a dynamically reconfigurable core and a two-dimensional array of 376 processing elements. One of the unique elements
of DPADNA-2 is that the chip hardware can be configured during system hardware operation in one clock cycle.
FEBRUARY 9th, 2005
IPFlex Reports Sales Success with One-Clock Reconfigurable Multiprocessor
IPFlex has reported that license
sales for its DAPDNA-FW II Integrated Development Environment
have reached 100 in less than 10 months. Licenses of the design tool are a good
indication of future revenue levels of IPFlex’s one-clock reconfigurable multiprocessor chip.
The
design tool is used by IPFlex customers to develop change-on-the-clock electronic gadgets.
The company has planned a new release of the design tool for later in 2005. The tool simplifies the process of multiprocessor
based system design – that is systems that incorporate more the one microprocessor core.
Multiprocessor
core systems are expected to replace most single microprocessor systems that are used today. Graphics processors and security
encryption boards is where significant demand is seen. With the transition,
tomorrow’s PC will have the power of today’s supercomputers. For
multiprocessor system development, the IPFlex design systems supports up to 10 microprocessor cores.
FEBRUARY 1, 2005
One Clock Cycle Reconfigurable Processor Hits America’s Shores
IPFlex Inc., after a strong
sales performance in Japan, has begun its marketing effort in the United States. The company will offer America its DAPDNA-2 dynamically reconfigurable processor.
The processor comes supported with the DAPDNA-FW II Integrated Development Environment Software, and DAPDNA-EB5 Evaluation
Kit.
The key to the success
of the product has been the reconfigurability time. The processor’s hardware functionally can be completely changed
in the course of one clock cycle. This chip could greatly expand the versatility of computers and other electronic devices
as well as could mark the beginning of a one-chip based IC industry.
IPFlex plans to market
the chip in North America and the European Union through a partnership with Asia Pacific Ventures, based in Palo Alto, CA. The end markets for the processor, according
to the company, include industrial and medical image processing, network security, space research and genomic analysis fields
JANUARY 17th, 2005
Reconfigurability key
to Transilica’s IP Core License Agreements
Tensilica appears to be on the right path with its reconfigurable processor.
NVidia, one of the largest fabless companies in the world, just licensed its XP core processor. But that’s not all.
LG Electronics, one of the larger cell phone companies in Korea, also licensed the technology. This mobile phone is no ordinary
mobile phone however. LG’s phone can receive digital broadcast signals. This gives the customer the capability to watch
TV and make phone calls at the same time. The phone is compatible with the Terrestrial Digital-Multimedia-Broadcast or T-DMB
standard.
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