Platform Device Boosts ARM-9 CPU Development

Feb. 1, 2004
The ARM-7 CPU has remained the workhorse of most mobile wireless devices. Now, it's easier to develop with the more powerful ARM-9 processor, thanks to Fujitsu Microelectronics America's Multi-CPU Evaluation Device. Named the MB87Q1100, this device...

The ARM-7 CPU has remained the workhorse of most mobile wireless devices. Now, it's easier to develop with the more powerful ARM-9 processor, thanks to Fujitsu Microelectronics America's Multi-CPU Evaluation Device. Named the MB87Q1100, this device is part of a platform that was developed to enable customers to design large, complex systems with very high levels of predictability and efficiency. The Fujitsu Microelectronics' MB87Q1100 integrates the ARM926EJ-S and ARM946E-S embedded macrocell cores in the company's system-on-a-chip (SoC) platform.

Based on 0.11-µm CMOS process technology, the MB87Q1100 chip processor sub-system is intended to correlate well with the expected performance of other SoC designs. It is packaged in a 400-pin FPGA that measures 15 x 15 mm. Using a multi-layer advanced high-performance bus (AHB), the device can improve throughput and reduce overall power consumption to a typical 450 mW at 200-MHz CPU operation. Built-in peripherals include controllers for Flash and SDRAM memory, an eight-channel direct memory access (DMA), interrupts, a two-channel UART, a 2-x-2 channel timer, and a GPIO.

The platform also incorporates the external extension function of AHB-Lite, a subset of the AHB system bus. As a result, customers can design and verify modules in their ASICs by connecting the master and slave module of AHB-Lite to the device.

MB87Q1100 samples are available now as part of the new SoC platform. The cost is $230 (U.S.) each in 1000-unit quantities.

Fujitsu America, Inc.3055 Orchard Dr., San Jose, CA 95134-2022; (408) 432-1300, FAX: (408) 432-1318, www.fai.fujitsu.com.

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About the Author

John Blyler

John Blyler has more than 18 years of technical experience in systems engineering and program management. His systems engineering (hardware and software) background encompasses industrial (GenRad Corp, Wacker Siltronics, Westinghouse, Grumman and Rockwell Intern.), government R&D (DoD-China Lake) and university (Idaho State Univ, Portland State Univ, and Oregon State Univ) environments. John is currently the senior technology editor for Penton Media’s Wireless Systems Design (WSD) magazine. He is also the executive editor for the WSD Update e-Newsletter.

Mr. Blyler has co-authored an IEEE Press (1998) book on computer systems engineering entitled: ""What's Size Got To Do With It: Understanding Computer Systems."" Until just recently, he wrote a regular column for the IEEE I&M magazine. John continues to develop and teach web-based, graduate-level systems engineering courses on a part-time basis for Portland State University.

John holds a BS in Engineering Physics from Oregon State University (1982) and an MS in Electronic Engineering from California State University, Northridge (1991).

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