| Dual-core PPC SoC drives 55 |
Jul. 18, 2008
 Freescale is sampling a pin-compatible version of its PowerPC-based MPC8641D system-on-chip (SoC) that is claimed to consume 27 percent less power. The 1.0-1.25GHz MPC8640D offers dual e600 cores, a 37 percent lower price, and an optional Linux board support package (BSP), says Freescale.
(Click for larger view of the Freescale MPC8640D)
Freescale appears to have achieved the power and cost reductions by simply slowing down key on-chip clocks. The die size, core voltages, and on-chip peripheral mix appear unchanged from the MPC8641D. Meanwhile, claimed typical power drops to 14-21 Watts, and supported temperature ranges grow to 32 to 221 degrees F (0 to 105 degrees C).
The MPC8640D, and the similar new single-core version, the MPC8640, are designed for networking, telecom, pervasive computing, aerospace, and defense applications, says Freescale. The SoC is said to be "software, package, and pin-for-pin" compatible with the popular MPC8641D PowerQUICC-platform communications processor, which has been used in a number of Linux-compatible single-board computers (SBCs) from Emerson Network Power, Mistral Solutions, Kontron, and others, and has received Linux development support from MontaVista and Wind River.
The new part is also said to be compatible with Freescale's QorIQ SoC, a PowerQUICC heir that is due to start sampling in early 2009.
MPC8640D block diagram (simplified)
(Click to enlarge)
At 1.25GHz, the MPC8640D is clocked lower than the MPC8641D's 1.5GHz maximum, and its much-touted MPX bus scales to only 500MHz instead of 667MHz. Core voltage requirements appear to be unchanged from the MPC8641D, and the core has the same cache sizes -- 32KB each of L1 data and instruction cache, and 1MB per core of L2 cache. The SoC also integrates the same AltiVec 128-bit vector processing unit, and the same northbridge functions, including dual DDR1/DDR2 memory controllers, a local bus for connecting storage, and a mix of high-speed interconnects that includes serial RapidIO, Ethernet, and PCI Express.
MPC8640D block diagram (detailed)
(Click to enlarge)
MCEVALHPCN-8641D evaluation board
Freescale is offering one of its "HPCN" Reference Design Board evaluation and development platforms for the MPC8640D. Dubbed the MCEVALHPCN-8641D, the board offers a high-speed SoDIMM slot for each core, and a single PCI-Express slot for graphics or other slot-based expansion cards. It uses the MPC8640's second PCI Express lane to attach a ULI M1575 southbridge.
MPC8641D HPCN reference design board schematic
(Click to enlarge)
The following are some specs for the MPC8641D HPCN board:- Processor -- MPC8641or MPC8641D (dual core) clocked from 1.0GHz to 1.5GHz
- Memory -- up to 4GB DDRII 600MHz (ECC-compatible)
- Local bus -- 8MB flash; Promjet flash emulator; Actel Pixis FPGA
- Networking -- 4 x 10/100/1000-baseT ports
- I2C -- 2 x I2C buses (one for boot init, and one for DDR SPD EEPROM)
- Serial -- 2 x RS-232 ports
- High Speed Serial Interface -- SerDes Port 1 (configured in x1/x4 PCIe mode connected to ULI southbridge); SerDes Port 2 (x1/x2/x4/x8 PCIe or x1/x4 SRIO mode)
- Southbridge -- ULI 1575 (IDE controller; 2 x USB 2.0; bridge to dual PCI slots)
- Power supply -- dedicated unified VCORE for processor; VTT/VREF for DDR; general I/O power
- Debug -- JTAG/COP via onboard connector
- Operating system and software -- CodeWarrior Linux BSP; U-boot; DINK debugger available
The micro-ATX form-factor board is compatible with either a 1U or 2U rack-mount chassis, and also fits in an ATX/Micro-ATX chassis, says the company. It is preloaded with U-boot and Freescale's CodeWarrior Linux BSP.
Stated Glenn Beck, Freescale's Networking Systems marketing manager, "We expect the MPC8640D to prove especially attractive to markets where power/performance ratios are critical."
Availability
The dual-core MPC8640D (MC8640DVU1000HC) is available at a suggested retail price of $120 in 10K quantities, says Freescale, and the single-core MPC8640 (MC8640HX1000HC) costs $90 in similar quantities. The MPC8641D Reference Design Board (MCEVALHPCN-8641D) sells for $3,075. More information may be found here.
Curtiss-Wright and GE Fanuc both plan to deliver products based on the MPC8640D in the second half of 2008, says Freescale.
Related Stories:
(Click here for further information)
|
|
|
FUEL Database on MontaVista Linux
Whether building a mobile handset, a car navigation system, a package tracking device, or a home entertainment console, developers need capable software systems, including an operating system, development tools, and supporting libraries, to gain maximum benefit from their hardware platform and to meet aggressive time-to-market goals.
Breaking New Ground: The Evolution of Linux Clustering
With a platform comprising a complete Linux distribution, enhanced for clustering, and tailored for HPC, Penguin Computing¿s Scyld Software provides the building blocks for organizations from enterprises to workgroups to deploy, manage, and maintain Linux clusters, regardless of their size.
Data Monitoring with NightStar LX
Unlike ordinary debuggers, NightStar LX doesn¿t leave you stranded in the dark. It¿s more than just a debugger, it¿s a whole suite of integrated diagnostic tools designed for time-critical Linux applications to reduce test time, increase productivity and lower costs. You can debug, monitor, analyze and tune with minimal intrusion, so you see real execution behavior. And that¿s positively illuminating.
Virtualizing Service Provider Networks with Vyatta
This paper highlights Vyatta's unique ability to virtualize networking functions using Vyatta's secure routing software in service provider environments.
High Availability Messaging Solution Using AXIGEN, Heartbeat and DRBD
This white paper discusses a high-availability messaging solution relying on the AXIGEN Mail Server, Heartbeat and DRBD. Solution architecture and implementation, as well as benefits of using AXIGEN for this setup are all presented in detail.
Understanding the Financial Benefits of Open Source
Will open source pay off? Open source is becoming standard within enterprises, often because of cost savings. Find out how much of a financial impact it can have on your organization. Get this methodology and calculator now, compliments of JBoss.
Embedded Hardware and OS Technology Empower PC-Based Platforms
The modern embedded computer is the jack of all trades appearing in many forms.
Data Management for Real-Time Distributed Systems
This paper provides an overview of the network-centric computing model, data distribution services, and distributed data management. It then describes how the SkyBoard integration and synchronization service, coupled with an implementation of the OMG¿s Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard, can be used to create an efficient data distribution, storage, and retrieval system.
7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.
|
|
|
|
|
news feed