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IBM LAUNCHES THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF POWERPC EMBEDDED CONTROLLERS
September 19, 1994
IBM today launched the PowerPC* Embedded Controller 403GA* (PPC 403GA), its first embedded controller based on the PowerPC architecture.
Targeted at office automation, networking equipment and consumer applications, the PPC 403GA combines superscalar RISC performance, low power consumption and high system integration to meet the demanding requirements of low-cost, data-intensive embedded systems.
As part of this announcement, IBM also introduced the PowerPC Embedded Tools* program, which supports embedded system design for the PowerPC 400 series, and the availability of third-party design support for the PPC 403GA. In addition, the company disclosed price, sample availability and volume production dates for the product.
"Due to the scalable nature of the PowerPC architecture, companies are able to maximize price/performance from low-end embedded controllers to high-end microprocessors," said Ron Tessitore, manager of the PowerPC Embedded Processor Solutions group for IBM Microelectronics* Division. "This will allow companies to reduce their overall cost and development time by leveraging their investment in the PowerPC design environment."
Offered from IBM's Microelectronics Division, the PowerPC 403GA is a 32-bit embedded controller that can be used in printers, copiers, fax machines, scanners, video games, digital cameras, digital personal communications, video disc players and networking equipment.
By maximizing the PowerPC architecture, the 403GA delivers 72K Dhrystones/second of performance at 33 MHz while integrating a four-channel DMA controller, DRAM controller, I/O controller, two-way set associative instruction and data caches, serial port, multi-level interrupt controller and multiple timer facilities. In addition, it is designed with a flexible bus interface to allow memory and peripherals to be attached directly with little or no glue logic.
The 403GA is one of the lowest power-consuming controllers in its class, providing customers significant power management while maintaining a high level of performance. While running at 3.3V, the PPC 403GA interfaces with both 3.3V and 5V, making it ideal in a mixed-voltage environment.
To support designers, IBM is now offering the PowerPC Embedded Tools program. Only four months into this program, IBM has signed nearly 20 third-party vendors. Established to support third-party vendors that develop products based on the PowerPC 400 series, the program provides technical hardware and software support and early access to technical information. This program will complement IBM's suite of development tools, which include the RISCWatch* debug and development tool, OS Open* real-time operating system, an IBM compiler and the 400 series evaluation kit.
The PowerPC Embedded Controller 403GA will initially be offered in a 25-MHz version and will sell for $48.91 each in quantities of 1,000. Sample quantities are available now, with volume production expected by the end of the year. A 33-MHz version is expected to be introduced in the first quarter of 1995.