LSI Logic Licenses New Open DSP Core From Siemens;
Providing Advanced DSP Architecture for Next-Generation
Communication Applications - 03:18 p.m Apr 23, 1998 Eastern
MUNICH, Germany, and MILPITAS, Calif., April 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Siemens
Semiconductors and LSI Logic Corporation (NYSE: LSI) today announce LSI
Logic as the first licensee of CARMEL(TM) DSP, Siemens' new open digital signal
processor (DSP) architecture. The architecture is based on a CLIW(TM)
(Configurable Long Instruction Word) design combining superscalar implementation
with VLIW (Very Long Instruction Word) capabilities while allowing true
simultaneous parallel instruction execution. This unique combination provides
quantum digital signal processing and cost savings improvements. The CARMEL
DSP, now offered by LSI Logic and Siemens, provides customers with an open,
standard architecture for wireless communication systems, high speed xDSL
modems, and multimedia applications.
"LSI Logic is more than a licensee of the CARMEL architecture," said Dr. Ulrich
Schumacher, president and CEO of Siemens Semiconductors. "Both companies will
actively drive further roadmaps for CARMEL architecture development. We are
mutually committed to establishing a widely supported user base and gaining market
momentum for this leading open DSP architecture. Our goal is to become a major
player in high-end DSPs, thus strengthening our efforts in the logic arena."
According to Wilfred J. Corrigan, chairman and chief executive officer of LSI
Logic, the agreement is highly significant. "By licensing CARMEL, LSI Logic
expands its DSP cores offering and addresses the requirements of its customers by
providing a powerful, yet cost-effective, open architecture for advanced
communication applications. The combination of LSI Logic's world-class ASIC
design methodology, system-on-a-chip expertise and design tools, along with
Siemens' open architecture, will change the way DSP customers are currently
served. This agreement marks the beginning of a shift in the DSP market away
from the closed, proprietary approach, to an open, highly competitive one," said
Corrigan.
The worldwide market for DSPs continues to experience phenomenal growth --
from US$8 billion in 1997 to a projected US$33.7 billion by 2002, according to Will
Strauss, president of Forward Concepts, a Tempe, Arizona-based market research
firm. Driven by the rapidly growing demand for high-end wireless products, the
communications segment of this market represents the lion's share -- 77 percent of
the worldwide total in 1996. This explosive growth, combined with Siemens'
previous expertise in DSP applications, such as function- and algorithm-specific
architectures, led to Siemens' development of CARMEL.
Key CARMEL DSP Specifics
CARMEL was developed to complement Siemens' existing line of cores, targeting
applications that require a high-performance, programmable DSP. In particular,
wireless systems will require ever greater processing power as the market moves
toward widespread adoption of the Global Systems for Mobile communications
(GSM) and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) standards.
CARMEL combines very high processing performance with very low power
consumption. The architecture is based on a dual MAC (Multiply and Accumulate)
concept with a CLIW(TM) (Configurable Long Instruction Word) extension.
CARMEL is therefore an application platform for efficient (low cycle)
implementation of DSP algorithms.
Availability Timeline
Siemens expects to produce the first evaluation chip based on the CARMEL DSP
architecture in September 1998 time frame. LSI Logic plans to incorporate the
architecture into its CoreWare library in the Q4 1998 time frame.
About LSI Logic
LSI Logic, The System-on-a-Chip Company(TM), is a leading supplier of custom
high-performance semiconductors, with operations worldwide. The company
enables customers to build complete systems on a single chip with its CoreWare
design program, which increases performance, lowers system costs and accelerates
time to market. LSI Logic develops application-optimized products in partnership
with trend-setting customers and operates leading-edge manufacturing facilities to
produce submicron-geometry chips. The company maintains a high level of quality
as demonstrated by its ISO 9000 certifications. LSI Logic Corporation is
headquartered at 1551 McCarthy Boulevard, Milpitas, Calif. 95035.
lsilogic.com
Siemens Semiconductors is a leading worldwide provider of integrated circuits,
memory products, RF components and discrete, power and opto semiconductors.
The comprehensive product line of Siemens Semiconductors serves a wide range of
customers active in telecommunications, automation, data processing, automotive
and consumer electronics. Siemens is the market leader for Chipcard ICs. In fiscal
1996/97, the Semiconductor Group achieved sales of US$3.5 billion (DM 5.9 billion)
and employed 22,600 people worldwide.
siemens.de SOURCE LSI Logic Corporation
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