Creative today finally confirmed the nature of the Zii

Time for a mystery unit is now known as a processor platform based on the concept of very large scale, based on a database known as the core elements: the "Stem Cell" element teasers rather refers to a possibility repurpose one of the cores for a particular job . The process mimics the unified shader processors for video and is said to be super-like acceleration, without the need for a large processor or a large amount of energy.

The first is the Zii ZMS-05 chip, a system-on-a-chip design consisting of two ARM cores with integrated controllers. Although not individually strong, a large number of processors that can be combined to achieve a lot faster. An example of the system known as a teraflops Accelerator gets its name from floating-point calculations per second, while those less space of letter paper and use less energy than a typical desktop computer. Creative believes that the platform can scale to the petaflop range downward for peatlands.

The ZMS-05 is already in production and will soon lead to the production of material from other companies, including well-known hardware manufacturer MSI. It is not known whether any of these will be available to users at home or what their role. Creative has not announced any plans for the production of finished products through its own Zii of the foundation.

Atmel - ARM-based embedded micros supported Linux kernel

Availability of the latest Linux mainline release for its 400MHz ARM926EJ-S -based AT91SAM9G20 embedded microprocessor, and for other members of the AT91SAM9 family, has been announced by Atmel. The short time interval between product availability and publication in the official Linux kernel is due to the well-established Linux support for AT91SAM9 MPUs, and peripheral re-use across the product family, says the company.

A Linux distribution based on Linux v2.6.27 is available from Atmel's AT91SAM Linux online portal. It includes the complete Linux v2.6.27 kernel, the Linux patch for the AT91SAM9G20-EK, device drivers, pre-built demonstrations and the Angstrom / OpenEmbedded building environment. The AT91SAM Linux portal is a gateway to a wide and growing community that provides Linux self-support for Atmel's entire ARM9-based range of embedded 32-bit microprocessors.

Alfredo Vadillo, Atmel's managing director for ARM microcontrollers, said: "The availability of our development of the latest Linux kernel, for the AT91SAM9 MPUs, demonstrates our commitment to support the strong market demand for Linux on AT91SAM9 product family."

Complementary products and support are available through TimeSys, including an embedded Linux ReadyKit for the entire AT91SAM9 series including the AT91SAM9G20. The ReadyKit comprises a pre-built Linux kernel, device drivers, a GNU-based cross toolchain, a glibc-based root filesystem complete with selected development libraries, 14 days of technical support and access to a wide range of support documentation.

The 400 MHz AT91SAM9G20 features Atmel's market-leading peripheral DMA (direct memory access) and distributed memory architecture that, together with the 6-layer bus matrix, enables multiple simultaneous data transfers between memories, peripherals and external interfaces without consuming CPU clock cycles. The external bus interface (EBI) is clocked at 133 MHz for high-speed transfers to off-chip memories. This architecture gives the device the high internal and external data bandwidth required by many embedded networked applications.

Networking and communications requirements are met by an Ethernet 10/100 Base T MAC, seven USARTs, 12M bps USB Full Speed Dual Host and Device ports, dual SPI, SSC and Two-Wire Interface (TWI). Linux device drivers are available for all these peripherals. Image sensing requirements are met by a fully integrated Image Sensor Interface (ISI).

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', BALLOON, true, ABOVE, true)" title="">POWER consumption in full-power operating mode at 400MHz with all peripherals turned on is only 80mW. The AT91SAM9G20 also features four reduced-power modes, including Backup Mode where the main power supply is off and the device power consumption is sufficiently low (9uW) for an extended period of operation under battery supply, says the company.

Tags: Atmel, ARM, Processor, Embedded, Linux

ARM - Fabless business environment helps growth of ASIC design houses

The emergence of a fabless business environment has helped the growth of design houses who influence IP selection. ARM is engaging with these design houses with a new, innovative partnership model enabling a complete turnkey SoC service using ARM technology. Taiwanese SoC design solution provider Socle Technology Corporation is the first member of this program, says the company.

ARM has announced the ARM IP Portfolio Program, an innovative business and engagement model for companies offering custom ASIC design services. The initiative provides access to a comprehensive range of ARM IP and an opportunity for closer cooperation on new business opportunities.

Under the terms of the ARM IP Portfolio Program, selected companies can license a package of ARM technology (including processor, graphics, fabric & physical IP), which can be applied according to customer requirements. Immediate access accelerates time to market and provides the flexibility to adapt as requirements change from initial design through to manufacture. Compatibility between fully optimized ARM technologies also reduces risk and increases the likelihood of creating a competitive and compelling final solution.

Socle Technology has licensed the ARM11 processor family, the Mali-200 and Mali-55 cores for advanced 3D consumer graphics, CoreSight technology for advanced debug and trace capability and a full range of configurable AMBA PrimeCell peripherals (including interconnect, dynamic and static memory controllers, DMA controllers, and Level 2 Cache Controllers). Each item of IP also includes ARM support and maintenance as a condition of the license, says the company.

"At Socle, we are committed to working closely together with other industry leaders to deliver high-quality, low-Vicor
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', BALLOON, true, ABOVE, true)" title="POWER">POWER, energy-efficient solutions to our customer base," said David Lyou, president and CEO, Socle Technology Corporation. "Socle's SoC design platforms, SoC-ImP and µPlatform, with rapid access to ARM technology and Chartered's advanced foundry process will further enable us to provide higher-performance, more reliable and predictable design and development solutions to our OEM customers, and improve faster time-to-market for their digital devices."

Chartered, one of the world's leading dedicated semiconductor foundries, has invested in Socle as the major shareholder, with an eye to closer design collaboration and to provide a one-stop-shop ASIC solution in advanced process nodes.

Philip Lu, president, ARM Taiwan, said: "Socle Technology is well known as a leading provider of ARM technology-based embedded platform design solutions and our partnership with them is the first in our new, innovative business model which sees ARM engage in a strategic partnership with this important community. The ARM IP Portfolio Program will enable ARM, in collaboration with its Partners, to meet the requirements of the rapidly changing and fragmented supply chain with the widest possible application of optimized ARM technology."

Socle is a member of the ARM Approved Design Center program, a world-wide partnership of service companies certified to deliver expert design services around ARM IP. The ARM Approved Design Center program is part of the ARM Connected Community.

Tags: ARM, Processor, Embedded