MIPS’ latest multicore platform is designed to take on ARM
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MIPS Technologies has released a superscalar coherent processing system based on its existing 74K technology. The processor can have from one to four cores and can be targeted at processes as small as 40nm.
Using commercially available standard cell libraries, memories and eda design flows, the 1074K is said to run at 1.5GHz when targeted at a 40nm G process. Mark Throndson (pictured), director of product marketing, said: "A four core implementation running at 1.5GHz will have a performance of more than 10,000DMIPS." The core will also be developed for 28nm processes and is expected to run at 2.5GHz.
The part is being aimed at emerging products in the home entertainment market, enabling higher performance in devices such as set top boxes and digital tvs. "The 1074K will be a compelling solution," Throndson claimed.
The 1074K provides for up to four superscalar out of order 74K cores, plus system components for clock/power gating management, global interrupt control and program/data trace functionality. There is also an optional L2 cache controller.
The 1074K sits alongside MIPS' 1004K multicore platform. Throndson said that, while there is overlap between the two, the 1004K is suited to applications with lot of threads and distributed software. "But if you're designing an internet browser into a digital tv, for example, the 1074K will be better."
MIPS expects to be competing with ARM in its chosen markets and believes the 1074K will outperform a Cortex-A9 in most categories, particularly when running under Linux.
