24-core, 64-bit Power arch processor offers
extreme performance
Freescale Semiconductor has unveiled 64-bit Power Architecture
core based 24 virtual cores processor family made using
28nm process technology to take up the multi core processing
benchmark to new level.
Freescale says due to dual-threaded efficiency, improved
DMIPs per thread and higher frequency QorIQ AMP series 24-core
processor chip delivers up to 4x the performance and more
than 2x power efficiency compared to Freescale's eight-core
QorIQ P4080 device. This performance packed AMP series to
include an array of control and data plane processors scaling
from cost-effective, ultra-low-power single-core products
to SoCs targeting the networking, industrial, military/defence/aerospace,
robotics, storage, medical electronics, video systems and
printing applications.
"Exploding IP traffic rates and the proliferation
of smarter, bandwidth-hungry consumer devices are dramatically
increasing demands on next-generation networks," said
Lisa Su, senior vice president and general manager of Freescale's
Networking & Multimedia Group. "Our new QorIQ AMP
series delivers the next wave of innovation for networking
OEMs through leveraging Freescale's R&D strength, wealth
of IP, and signature intelligent integration."
New multithreaded e6500 core with AltiVec technology:
The multithreaded, 64-bit Power Architecture e6500 core
running at up to 2.5 GHz, is suggested for both high-end
control plane and high-performance data plane applications.
The e6500 incorporates an enhanced version of AltiVec vector
processing unit. AltiVec technology addresses high-bandwidth
data processing and algorithmic-intensive computations,
delivering DSP-level performance and other benefits for
Freescale customers.
Complementing the programmable e6500 cores is a broad range
of acceleration engines and co-processing technologies,
including enhanced security, pattern matching and compress/decompress
engines, and Freescale's proven data path acceleration (DPAA)
technology. The AMP series' compression/decompression technology
provides 20 Gbps of performance, and a new SEC 5.0 crypto
accelerator offloads protocol processing, including LTE,
IPSec, and SSL, at up to 40 Gbps while delivering nearly
140 Gbps of raw crypto hardware acceleration for current
and emerging wireless and wireline algorithms. Other new
acceleration/offload technologies are incorporated to support
regex acceleration, 128-bit SIMD data prefetching, in-line
parsing and classification, and quality of service functionalities.
The AMP series also incorporates CoreNet interconnect fabric,
a cache-coherent memory hierarchy, hardware-based virtualization
for optimal performance and dynamic on-chip debug technology
that provides deep visibility into complex software processes.
"The new QorIQ AMP series underscores Freescale's
continued investment in highly advanced multicore processing
technology for its large roster of top-tier worldwide networking
equipment manufacturers," said Linley Gwennap, founder
and principal analyst of The Linley Group. "Following
its strong execution in delivering first generation 45-nm
QorIQ products to market, Freescale is well positioned for
continued success with the 28-nm process technology and
highly advanced new core and accelerators included in the
new QorIQ AMP series."
To manage the power consumption smartly AMP series uses
a variable-mode power switch that allows customers to modulate
the power of the cores and other processing units with independence
and precision.
The AMP series consists of three levels of products within
a scalable portfolio, initially spanning from ultra-high-performance
processors featuring 24 virtual cores down to single-core
products.
Control plane processors (service provider routers, storage
networks)
Up to 6 cores running at up to 2.5 GHz
Greater than 6 MB L2 cache
High-end data plane processors (routers, switches, access
gateways, mil/aero applications)
Up to 24 virtual cores running at up to 2.0 GHz
50 Gbps IP forwarding capability
Advanced application acceleration
Low-end data plane processors (media gateways, network attached
storage, integrated services router)
Up to 8 virtual cores running up to 1.6 GHz
Advanced application acceleration
Less than 10W power
Freescale's first product in the QorIQ AMP series, the
T4240 device, integrates hardware accelerators with 12 dual-threaded
e6500 cores, providing 24 threads to address high-end data
plane processing applications. Advanced capabilities allow
for intelligent sharing and duplication of resources between
threads and a larger amount of on-die cache per core. Application
examples for the T4240 device include metro carrier edge
routers, access gateways and aerospace/defense products.
Freescale will provide more details regarding the T4240
product later this year. The device is planned for initial
availability in early 2012.
Availability and development support
Freescale plans to introduce additional AMP products during
each quarter following the initial product launch, filling
out the platform across three tiers. Products are expected
to address a vast array of high-performance applications.