The 32-bit CPU core is based on the ARM7TDMI (Thumb™) design licensed by TI from Advanced RISC Machines (ARM), designers of reduced instruction set computing (RISC) technology. A standard in the industry, the ARM7TDMI design is noted for its code density and ultra-low power consumption, features that are reinforced by TI's low-voltage silicon platforms. As an active ARM licensee, TI is already using the CPU in the creation of its own TMS470 microcontrollers and other products.
"TI was the first ARM licensee to produce silicon versions of the ARM7TDMI, and it is now at the forefront of IC vendors implementing the design in an ultra-dense ASIC technology," said Robin Saxby, ARM CEO and managing director. "We are excited at the customer response to the ARM/TI combination of a small, high-performance, low-power core with dense custom ASIC capabilities. This is testament to the teamwork achieved through our partner business model."
"With the c470 CPU, we've added an important technology to the list of TI's capabilities," said Rod Trautman, Texas Instruments microcontroller marketing manager for the Americas. "Now, qualifying customers have the option of tailoring microcontroller systems to application needs. TI's small ASIC geometries, combined with the high-density ARM CPU, allow TI to offer highly-competitive, cost-efficient c470 solutions. TI will focus on high-performance microcontrollers and other products tailored for our embedded systems customers."
TMS470 microcontroller 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. These systems represent the fastest-growing segment of the microcontroller market, including applications such as high-resolution and color printers, scanners, multifunction office equipment, digital and analog wireless telephones and advanced pagers, digital set-top boxes, videophones, modems, cable modems, networking switches and routers, graphics and imaging systems, automotive control systems and other systems.
The ARM7TDMI design features two independent RISC instruction sets: 32-bit instructions for faster execution and 16-bit instructions to minimize memory space. The 16-bit instructions are decompressed into 32-bit instructions internally before execution without added delay. Combined with the inherent compactness of the design, this dual instruction set feature saves a remarkable amount of memory space and expense, as well as giving designers much-needed flexibility in code development.
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 volts. In this technology, the core requires only 3 square mm on the silicon die and is estimated at a mere 0.52 mA/MHz when operating at 40 MHz. A 0.25-micron version is planned for 1Q97, compatible with the TSC5000 ASIC library and operating at 2.5 V. This version reduces to 2 square mm on the die (about one-third the size of similar cores). To maximize the ease of use for these ASIC backplanes, a range of peripheral modules are available and under development.
A 0.18-micron, 1.8-volt version based on TI's TImeline Technology is also planned for subsequent release. With its ability to pack 125 million transistors on a chip and boost performance to several times current levels, the application of TI's TImeline Technology to the c470 custom process will create further opportunities to reach the market quickly with new, feature-rich products.
With widespread licensing, the ARM architecture brings the support and flexibility of an industry standard to the design of embedded systems. In addition to TI's own development tools, which are compatible with tools for other TI products, TI offers a suite of development tools licensed from ARM. Products from third parties include real-time operating systems that are in development by WindRiver Systems, ISI, Microware and Microtech, and in-circuit emulation capability by Lauterbach and Yokogawa.TI's development system includes 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. Most important, the emulator employs a non-intrusive scan approach through an IEEE 1149.1 (JTAG) port that provides full-speed execution, visibility and control of the processor in the target system.
"Depending on our customers' requirements, we have the capability and the ASIC expertise to integrate one or more c470 cores with DSPs or other processors, mixed-signal technologies, memories, or a variety of other functions," said Armin Lichtblau, TMS470 marketing manager. "And our process strengths give us a road map for future cost and power reduction. As manufacturers of embedded systems require greater and greater performance, we plan to be there with cost-effective products they need."
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Thumb is a trademark of Advanced RISC Machines.
Texas Instruments' TMS470/c470:
Using ARM Core for 32-Bit Embedded Microcontrollers - Editorial Backgrounder
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