Original Document
News - New PowerPC chips to power low-cost electronic products
IBM announces new PowerPC chips to power low-cost electronic products
June 4, 1996
Fishkill, N.Y. -- IBM today announced the PowerPC 401GF embedded
controller, a chip with high-performance and low-power features designed
for consumer electronics, communications and office automation products.
The PowerPC 401GF's low price of $13 for quantities of 10,000 makes it
ideal for network-centric computing applications such as Internet
terminals and set-top boxes. Other applications include: mobile
communicators, portable global positioning satellite (GPS) systems,
modems and digital cameras.
The PowerPC 401GF is the lowest-priced PowerPC, and is fully compatible
with IBM's PowerPC microprocessors, providing product makers with one
"technology architecture" that spans from low-cost embedded controllers
to powerful RISC microprocessors. (Embedded controllers, or
microcontrollers, are specialized microprocessors that control specific
functions in electronic devices ranging from video game players to laser
printers.)
"The scalable architecture, excellent price performance and low power of
the PowerPC embedded technology make it the ideal architecture for our
network hardware solutions," said Nicholas Donofrio, IBM senior vice
president and group executive. "You'll see it used throughout IBM in
consumer network appliances, communications products, adapters, and
input/output controllers."
Customer support
In addition to IBM, several companies have selected IBM PowerPC embedded
controller products because of their scalable performance and advanced
features. These include U.S. Robotics, of Skokie, Ill.; and Apple
Computer, of Cupertino, Calif.
"U.S. Robotics chose IBM's PowerPC family because it has allowed us to
make one investment in tools, training, and code development that can be
applied across a wide array of products with varying requirements," said
Todd Landry, product line manager in U.S. Robotics' Network Systems
Division for Enterprise Access Systems Products.
"The Apple Image Capture Platform is about providing an environment to
build new and innovative image capture solutions that make sharing
images easy and simple for any user," said Dan Torres, product line
manager for the Apple Image Capture Group. "Our architecture is built
upon the idea that new solutions must be scalable, cost competitive, and
provide good user value. So, we are pleased with the choices IBM has
made in the 400 Series and are excited that they are well matched with
our software architecture to build these next generation solutions."
The 401GF is supported by the IBM PowerPC Embedded Tools Program that
includes more than 40 third-party vendors, which provide a wide variety
of products including emulators, logic analyzers, evaluation boards,
real-time operating systems, compilers and debuggers. Several companies
have announced their support for the PowerPC 400 Series tools program,
including: Integrated Systems Inc., of Santa Clara, Calif.;
Microware Systems Corp., of Des
Moines, Iowa; and Wind River Systems Inc. of Alameda, Calif.
Availability
IBM plans to offer the PowerPC 401GF in 25 MHz, 50 MHz, 75 MHz and 100
MHz versions. Samples of the 25 MHz, 50 MHz and 75 MHz versions are
scheduled for availability in the third quarter. Samples of the 100 MHz
version are scheduled for availability in early 1997.
Additional technical details
The PowerPC 401GF is also the first embedded controller based on IBM's
new PowerPC 401 core architecture. The 401 core is modular in design,
which simplifies changes in configuration to meet specific customer
requirements. This, coupled with IBM's library of system peripherals,
enables customers to develop custom PowerPC solutions to achieve the
lowest possible cost. The PowerPC 401GF offers customers a
cost-effective, stand-alone solution for initial product development and
early production with the ability to migrate later to custom solution
using the 401 core.
The 401GF is currently planned to be available in 25MHz (2.5 volts) and
in 50Mhz, 75MHz, and 100MHz versions (3.3 volts). The 401GF delivers
1.05 MIPS/MHz performance and the 2.5V/25MHz version, consuming a scant
40mW (typ.), sets a new standard for 32-bit embedded controllers. All
versions are supported by 2K instruction and 1K data caches, a real mode
MMU, integrated timers, JTAG port, and are packaged in a 80-pin Thin
Quad Flat Pack (TQFP).
In addition, IBM offers a complete development tools environment, which
includes the High C/C++ Compiler, the RISCWatch debugger, OS Open
real-time operating system, and complete hardware evaluation kits.
*IBM Microelectronics is a trademark of International Business
Machines Corporation. All other names or products are trademarks
or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
Pricing is current as of June 4, 1996 and is subject to change
without notice.