Sun Microsystems Announces Availability of
the 64-Bit UltraSPARC IIe Processor for
High-End Embedded Applications
Early Adopters Laud the Processor as the Ideal
End-to-End Embedded Solution for Next-Generation Network Equipment
Suppliers
PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 11, 2000-- Sun Microsystems, Inc.
(Nasdaq:SUNW - news) today announced availability of its newest UltraSPARC(TM) processor,
targeted for embedded applications.
The 400/500 MHz UltraSPARC IIe microprocessor is the first highly integrated 64-bit processor for
embedded applications in the telecommunications, network infrastructure and ISP markets that offers
the reliability, availability and scalability of the industry-leading SPARC architecture.
The UltraSPARC IIe processor features a new level of integrated functions designed to lower
overall system cost, shorten time-to-market and increase overall system performance. Sun
demonstrates its commitment to the UltraSPARC IIe processor by making available to the world a
completely optimized and system-tested solution supported by design kits and full documentation at
an optimum price point for embedded applications. The UltraSPARC IIe embedded processor will
be introduced at 400 and 500 MHz and is fully application-software binary-compatible with the
entire UltraSPARC processor family.
``Sun takes advantage of its recent successes and expands its time-tested 64-bit server processor
UltraSPARC architecture into the high-performance embedded market,'' said Max Baron, principal
analyst for logic markets and technologies at Cahners In-Stat Group. ``As in many instances before, it
is enticing the market with a complete solution involving high integration UltraSPARC IIe
processors, Wind River Systems' Tornado Development environment and VxWorks Real-time OS
plus Sun's own Solaris(TM) Operating Environment, its development tools and reference design kits.
Sun is focusing on the opportunity to get into the new system designs required by the broadband era.''
Sun's new embedded processor is supported by industry-leading operating systems and real time
operating systems (RTOSs) to deliver the comprehensive general purpose and real-time processing
capabilities demanded by the embedded market. The UltraSPARC IIe processor will initially be
supported by Wind River's VxWorks and Sun's Solaris Operating Environment.
``Wind River is pleased to be working with Sun in supporting the UltraSPARC IIe processor with
our VxWorks RTOS,'' said Dave Sheaffer, senior director of product marketing, Wind River
Platforms business unit. ``The embedded communications market focus of Sun's new embedded
processor makes it a perfect fit for our Tornado development environment and VxWorks RTOS,
which enables high-performance multi-tasking applications and includes a wide-range of pervasive
COTS middleware applications, including network protocols, award-winning Java(TM) Technology
support and extensive design and debug tools. The combination of VxWorks, Tornado and the
UltraSPARC IIe processor will enable the rapid design and deployment of high-performance
embedded devices such as intelligent Web enabled multimedia devices and telecom carrier grade
equipment.''
Early Support for the Embedded Processor
The processor has already received support from Alcatel, Fujitsu, Tenovis, Force Computers, Cycle
Computer Corporation, and Naturetech, as well as leading network equipment companies.
``Developing advanced switch functionality is essential to winning in the competitive market for
enterprise infrastructure, and Sun's new UltraSPARC IIe processor is hitting the market at an ideal
time for our next-generation IP switching platform,'' said Anees Narsinh, director of ASIC
development at Alcatel. ``We have integrated the UltraSPARC IIe processor into our switch to give
us an advantage in performance and time-to-market. The high reliability, availability, scalability and
multiprocessing demands that customers place on our products are a perfect fit with the strengths of
Sun's SPARC processors.''
``We have been working closely with Sun to incorporate the UltraSPARC IIe processor into our
servers,'' said Yuji Oinaga, General Manager Computer System Division 3, Fujitsu. ``The high level
of integration Sun is providing with its UltraSPARC IIe processor enables us to offer a higher
density, lower cost server product to meet our customers' requirements. Fujitsu plans to use the
UltraSPARC IIe processor for its lower cost servers and storage systems in the future.''
``When Tenovis embarked on its continuous improvement program to fundamentally redefine and
redesign our I33 PBX offering, we chose Sun to provide the next generation processor platform that
is driven by Sun's UltraSPARC IIe processor,'' said Klaus Sauer, Vice President R&D System
Platform, Tenovis. ``The design choices in developing our new high-end PBX required new
functionality in a PBX at less cost, a demand that required us to move from closed, proprietary
technology to a core platform that is open and standards-based. Sun's end-to-end solution, powered
by the 64-bit UltraSPARC IIe processor, gives us a big boost in processor performance that helps us
meet our goals to answer our customers' needs in the enterprise segment.''
``We will soon announce our newest VME board product utilizing the UltraSPARC IIe processor,''
said Jochen Saal, product manager, Force Computers. ``Sun's new UltraSPARC IIe embedded
processor enables us to continue to deliver the 'perfect fit' solution for OEM customers who are
looking for next-generation products of our successfully implemented VMEbus-based SPARC
products to be deployed in industrial, C41 and Telecoms applications.''
``Cycle Computer Corporation is excited to begin using the new 64-bit UltraSPARC IIe processor in
our custom board designs,'' said Mark Johnston, president and CEO, Cycle Computer Corporation.
``This embedded processor is particularly attractive to our customers for two reasons. First, it offers
exceptional price/performance for our customers' needs, and it runs the robust Solaris Operating
Environment. The design kit Sun is making available with the new processor will enable us to build
custom upgrade boards for Sun's installed customer base.''
``The architecture of Sun's new CPU makes it possible to bring UNIX® workstation capabilities to
notebook computers,'' said Wenson Chang, president of Naturetech. ``It's a real dream come true for
many Sun(TM) and Solaris Operating Environment users.''
About the Processor
The processor was designed with a high level of integration to reduce power consumption, reduce
chip count, reduce overall system cost, and increase performance to 64-bit levels. Being among the
first to make 64-bit processors for the communications industry, Sun has architected the single chip
design to integrate 256-KB Level 2 cache; an integrated 32-bit, industry-standard 66-MHz PCI bus;
and an integrated high-performance SDRAM controller and memory interface. The power
consumption performance is optimized for embedded applications, estimated to run at 8 watts
maximum for a processor operating at 400 MHz and 1.5 volts and 13 watts maximum for a processor
operating at 500 MHz and 1.7 volts. As an added key feature, built-in power management functions
will permit the chip to consume approximately 3 watts maximum in sleep mode to meet Energy Star
compliance requirements.
Design Kits to Get Started
Sun is making available complete design kits and documentation along with the UltraSPARC IIe
processor chips. The design kit demonstrates and validates the UltraSPARC IIe processor
architecture. It enables performance evaluation by downloading and executing custom applications.
In addition, the design kit not only provides a reference guide, but a platform for software port and
development of custom applications. The first complete design kits will be available in November
2000.
Pricing and Availability
A limited number of samples of the UltraSPARC IIe microprocessor are available now with
production in November 2000. The 400 MHz UltraSPARC IIe processor will be priced at $230
USD (list) and $145 USD for OEM customers at 50K annual unit volume. The 500 MHz
UltraSPARC IIe processor will be priced at $357 USD (list) and $225 USD for OEM customers at
50K annual unit volume. The processor is fully supported by Sun field application engineers and
customer engineers who are trained and ready to assist with design kit related questions or questions
related to the development of new UltraSPARC IIe processor based products. Please contact your
local Sun sales representative for pricing and availability of Design Kits, support, the UltraSPARC
IIe processor or supporting companion chips. For more information or to contact a Sun sales
representative, visit the Sun World Wide Web site at sun.com.
UltraSPARC Processor Performance Tradition
Sun has been developing and architecting leading-edge SPARC processors for more than twelve
years and shipping 64-bit UltraSPARC processors for over five years while maintaining virtually
100 percent application software compatibility across the entire Sun UltraSPARC processor product
line.
About Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision -- ``The Network Is The Computer(TM)'' -- has
propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq:SUNW - news) to its position as a leading provider of
industrial-strength hardware, software and services that power the Internet and allow companies
worldwide to dot-com their businesses. With $15.7 billion in annual revenues, Sun can be found in
more than 170 countries and on the World Wide Web at sun.com.
Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun logo, Solaris, HotJava, Java and The Network Is The Computer are
trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and in other
countries. All SPARC trademarks are used under license and are trademarks or registered
trademarks of SPARC International, Inc. in the United States and in other countries. Products bearing
SPARC trademarks are based upon an architecture developed by Sun Microsystems, Inc. Netscape
Navigator is a trademark or registered trademark of Netscape Communications Corporation in the
United States and in other countries. UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other
countries, exclusively licensed through X/Open Company, Ltd.
Press announcements and other information about Sun Microsystems, Inc. are available on the
Internet via the World Wide Web using a tool such as Netscape Navigator(TM) or Sun's
HotJava(TM) browser. Type sun.com at the URL prompt.
Contact:
Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Martin Chorich, 408/720-4932
martin.chorich@eng.sun.com
or
KVO Public Relations
Eileen Drake, 503/221-2366
eileen_drake@kvo.com
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