Faraday Introduces The ARMv5 Compliant Ultra Low Power Core -- FA606TE

The synthesizable and configurable features provide the flexibility for area or performance optimization

Hsinchu, Taiwan and Sunnyvale California -- November 27 , 2007 -- Faraday Technology Corporation (TAIEX: 3035) today launched the ARM v5 instruction set architecture (ISA) compliant processor – FA606TE, which is an ultra low power 32-bit RISC with the synthesizable and configurable features. The FA606TE is specially designed for those applications which are both power and cost sensitive, such as general micro controller, SSD controller, industrial controller, bridge controller, and portable audio/video processor. Currently the hardcore in UMC 0.13µm is available, and the area is 0.3mm2 with ultra low power -0.06mW/MHz and relatively higher performance -180MHz at worst case.

As the application and software become more and more sophisticated, 8-bit and 16-bit MCU gradually can not afford the demanded performance in embedded SoC world. The micro processor is often expected to be a control unit, handle some algorithms, and even run a simple operation system (OS) built-in some application software at the same time. Since the voice that requires 32-bit RISC to replace the MCU in high-end 8-bit/16-bit market rises from the customers, Faraday's synthesizable and customizable FA606TE is thus designed to keep the same competitive cost and power as the 8-bit/16-bit MCU, but enables the higher performance simultaneously.

"We are very glad with the delivery of the ultra low power ARMv5 micro processor.- FA606TE," said Charlie Cheng, Vice President of Marketing at Faraday Technology. "In the 32-bit embedded SoC industry, the mainstream ARM architecture gets the most customers' proven and brings the best ecosystem. When the customers come for the substitute of high-end MCU, ARM architecture core is mostly requested since it shortens designers' design cycle time and lowers the risk especially for those who just enter the 32-bit RISC world." he added.

In the 32-bit tiny core market, FA606TE is one of a few cores with built-in DSP extensions that enhance DSP computing capabilities. Moreover, with the 5-stage pipeline, it provides more considerable clock performance than usual. The configurable features of FA606TE include the optional memory protection unit (MPU), local bus controller (LBC), instruction memory (I-RAM) and data memory (D-RAM) from 0KB to 8MB, respectively, which enable to customize the area driven or performance optimization. FA606TE also has power down mode to further reduce the power dissipation, and auto-fill function supported in LBC speeds up the boot-up and program executing performance.

"Low power micro processor is the key in embedded SoC," said Thomas Hsieh, Associate Vice President of Central R & D at Faraday. "As one of just a few ARM architectural licensees, Faraday is well experienced in CPU and SoC design. By implementing Faraday's innovative technology in ARMv5 micro-architecture, we offer the ultra power-saving tiny core which enables 0.06mW/MHz and 0.3mm2 in 0.13µm," he added.

Availability

Currently the FA606TE hardcore in UMC 0.13µm is available and Faraday could also provide design service for synthesizable FA606TE SoC to its customers in advanced 90nm or 65nm process. For more information, please download product flyer 

Faraday Technology Corporation is a leading silicon IP and fabless ASIC vendor. The company's broad silicon IP portfolio includes 32-bit RISC CPUs, DSPs, MPEG4, H.264, PHYs/Controllers for USB 2.0, Ethernet, Serial ATA, PCI Express, Cell Library and Memory Compiler. With more than 750 employees and 2006 revenue of US$171 million, Faraday is one of the largest fabless ASIC companies in the Asia-Pacific region, and it also has a significant presence in other world-wide markets. Headquartered in Taiwan , Faraday has service and support offices around the world, including the U.S. , Japan , Europe, and China . For more information, please visit:www.faraday-tech.com

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