Processor reduces I/O-hardware core area

Ubicom's IP3023 processor is the first in the Mercury family and implements an eight-way MASI (multithreaded architecture for software) for home-router, multiprotocol-access-point, and device-networking applications. These types of applications do not repetitively access packet data, so the IP3023 replaces dedicated cache and high-speed, off-chip bus structures with larger on-chip memories. The dual-operand, memory-to-memory architecture processes data in memory using a single instruction that reads, modifies, and writes the data in a single cycle. This approach allows this second-generation architecture to support a software-based approach to I/O that reduces the amount of dedicated hardware I/O necessary to support multiple networking standards and protocols and results in a net reduction in the device area and cost.

The IP3023 includes zero-cycle context switching that complements the eight-way, hardware mutlithreading to avoid stalling in the 10-stage pipeline. The instruction set comprises 40 instructions and features strong bit manipulation that allows direct access of pins from the processor core. The IP3023 includes 256 kbytes of on-chip code/packet memory, 64 kbytes of on-chip data memory, an external flash port that is addressable to as much as 4 Mbytes, an external SDRAM port, two serializer/deserializer ports, four media-independent-interface ports, and an SPI-debugging port. Additional functions include a hardware random-number generator; separate PLLs for the I/O and the processor cores; 16-bit, fixed-point multiply and accumulate, a watchdog timer, and bit reverse for I/O.

Available software-I/O modules include an Ethernet media-access controller, UART, USB, SPSI, SPI, PCI, PCMCIA, ISA, Utopia, and DMA. Ubicom's ipOS RTOS and network stack fit into less than 100 kbytes. The ipOS runs on one hardware thread, and high-speed interrupts run on a second thread. Each I/O port has a dedicated real-time thread. Software development uses the same front-end tools as the IP2022, but porting to the IP3023 requires you to rewrite all assembly code, align data to 32-bit boundaries, and move software I/O from interrupt-service routines to dedicated, hard-real-time threads. The IP3023 will be available for sampling in 208-pin PQFPs in the second quarter of 2003, and production is slated for the second half of 2003. The IP3023 sells for $12 (100,000 per month).

Ubicom, 1-650-210-1500, www.ubicom.com.