Paul,
I thought you might find this interesting, in light of the fact that NEC is dropping MIPS.
SAN JOSE, Calif., April 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Toshiba Corporation today
announced that it has extended its technology license with the MIPS
Technologies, Inc. division of Silicon Graphics, Inc. by acquiring a license
for the MIPS16 instruction set architecture (ISA).
In conjunction, Toshiba also unveiled a new microprocessor roadmap,
which will provide a seamless line-up of world standard MIPS RISC processors
ranging from the cost-conscious 32-bit to state-of-the-art, performance-
oriented 64-bit. The newly added 32-bit device can offer the performance of
32-bit RISC at a cost comparable to 16-bit processors by adopting the MIPS16
ISA, which incorporates 16-bit length instructions along with conventional
32-bit length ones.
"With the addition of the MIPS16 ISA to our microprocessor roadmap,
Toshiba will become the first of the MIPS Camp suppliers to provide a full
line-up of RISC cores which execute the complete set of MIPS ISAs," said Dr.
Kohyama, deputy group executive for Toshiba's Semiconductor Group.
This broad family of MIPS-based RISC microprocessors, named the TX
System RISC series (abbreviation TX series) will be the strategic focus for
Toshiba's microprocessor business through 2000 and beyond. To support this
major focus on RISC solutions, Toshiba is building a worldwide base of
development centers, along with promotion and support systems.
Initially, the TX series will include the 32-bit TX39 (current R3900
family), the 64-bit TX49 (R4900 family) and the new 32-bit TX19 series with
16-bit instructions, which bridges the gap between CISC and RISC processors.
During 1997, Toshiba is preparing the ASIC environment to enable
customer-specific System RISC derivatives to be developed in each of the
company's major design centers throughout the world. The TX series cores
will be compliant with the Virtual Socket Interface standards, to enable
them to be more easily combined with the customer's or third party
intellectual property (IP) components. Each of the regional design centers,
located in Tokyo, Japan; San Jose, California, USA; and Dusseldorf, Germany,
will develop IP based on applications appropriate for local markets.
Strategically important IP includes digital consumer electronics, personal
computer and office automation and telecommunications applications.
"By coupling Toshiba's world class manufacturing and process technology
with these System RISC cores and customer specific IP, we will provide a
full range of innovative, cost-effective solutions, backed by regional
development support," Dr. Kohyama said.
In North America, strategic markets for Toshiba's RISC microprocessors
and cores from 1998 through 2000 include hand-held PC applications using the
Windows-CE(TM) operating system, set-top boxes for digital satellite and
cable, hard disk drives, and office automation products including laser
printers, facsimile and copy machines as well as industrial and point of sale
applications such as handheld scanners.
MIPS RISC microprocessors were the best selling embedded RISC solutions
in 1996, and shipments of these devices tripled compared to the previous
year, according to industry rankings published by Microprocessor Report
(1-27-97).
In North America, the TX System RISC series will be available
through Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. (TAEC), Toshiba's North
American manufacturing, sales and marketing arm. Toshiba is one of the
world's largest suppliers of semiconductors, integrated circuits and
electronic components for industrial and consumer applications. The company
is the recognized leader in CMOS technology and has one of the broadest IC
product lines in the industry. In addition, Toshiba is a leading
manufacturer of technologically advanced electron tubes and solid state
devices, including color picture tubes, display monitor tubes, liquid
crystal displays, medical tubes, rechargeable batteries, microwave
components, laser diodes and optical transmission devices.
TAEC's Systems IC Division is located at 1060 Rincon Circle, San
Jose, CA 95131. For more company information, please visit TAEC's Internet
home page at: toshiba.com.
MIPS16 is a trademark of Silicon Graphics, Inc. Windows-CE is a trademark
of Microsoft Corp.
SOURCE Toshiba Corporation |
