This sounds BIG for Wind River
biz.yahoo.com
Monday September 11, 9:55 am Eastern Time
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;
All the best,
Michael |
