Date: 15/06/2010

New embedded microprocessor product line expands ST's SPEAr family

ST Microelectronics has revealed the new architecture of its SPEAr (Structured Processor Enhanced Architecture) family of embedded microprocessors, the SPEAr1300. It is going to target high-performance connectivity and embedded applications.

The new SPEAr1300 product line couples powerful dual ARM Cortex-A9 processors with a DDR3 memory interface and is manufactured using ST's 55nm HCMOS (high-speed CMOS) process technology. The dual ARM Cortex-A9 processors support symmetrical operation, at speeds up to 600MHz/core for 3000 DMIPS equivalent. It also uses ST's Network-on-Chip technology for internal peripheral interconnect thus assuring support for multiple different traffic profiles. It uses the 533MHz 32-bit DDR3 memory controllers with ECC and also supports 16-bit DDR2. It also uses a set of connectivity peripherals like PCIe 2.0 supporting 5 GT/s, SATA II 3 Gbit/s, USB 2.0 and Gigabit Ethernet. It is thus suggested for high-performance applications including networking, thin client, videoconferencing, NAS (Network-Attached Storage), computer peripherals, and factory automation. The SPEAr1300 product line provides 256-bit key hardware encryption/decryption and 1.3 million gates of configurable logic.

"This new architecture for the SPEAr family builds upon the unrivalled low power and multiprocessing capabilities of the ARM Cortex-A9 processor core" said Loris Valenti, General Manager of ST's Computer Systems SoC Division. "Upcoming SPEAr embedded microprocessors will deliver an unprecedented combination of processing performance, memory throughput, flexibility and low power for next-generation connectivity appliances."

Availability:
Embedded microprocessors from the new SPEAr1300 product line will be announced over the next few months.

For more information visit: www.st.com/spear