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TI discloses new 32-bit ARM-based microcontroller
Texas Instruments has disclosed the capability to integrate an extremely low-power 32-bit CPU core in 0.35-micron technology. The core is fully integrated in the application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) backplane and will serve as the basis for customizable-470 (c470) microcontroller products.
The 32-bit CPU core is based on the ARM7TDMI (Thumb)ª design licensed by TI from Advanced RISC Machines, Limited, designers of reduced instruction set computing (RISC) technology. The ARM-Thumb design is noted for its compactness and ultra-low power consumption, features that are reinforced by TI's low-voltage silicon implementations. TMS470 microcontrollers and other products that will implement the core are targeted primarily at embedded systems that require the high performance offered by a 32-bit RISC CPU. Applications include high-resolution and color printers, scanners, multifunction office equipments, digital and analog wireless telephones and advanced pagers, digital set-top boxes, videophones, modems and cable modems, networking switches and routers, graphics and imaging systems, automotive control systems and other systems. The first available c470 cores are being implemented using a 0.35-micron CMOS process, compatible with TI's TSC4000 ASIC design library and operating at 3.3-V. A 0.25-micron version is planned for 1Q97, compatible with the TSC5000 ASIC library and operating at 2.5 V. A 0.18-micron, 1.8-volt version based on TI's TImelineª Technology is also planned for subsequent release. TI's development tools include the XDS510 emulator, which features source-level debugging in C and assembly languages, benchmark execution of code ranges, real-time breakpoint analysis, non-real-time performance profiling and multiprocessor debugging. In addition, TI offers a suite of development tools licensed from ARM. ARM and Thumb are trademarks of Advanced RISC Machines, LTD. TImeline is a trademark of Texas Instruments Incorporated. |