MIPS Technologies Introduces the MIPS32(R) 24KE(TM) Core Family - the First DSP ASE Enabled MIPS(R) Cores

MIPS Technologies Introduces the MIPS32(R) 24KE(TM) Core Family -
the First DSP ASE Enabled MIPS(R) Cores
Highest Performing Licensable Synthesizable Cores Provide Efficient DSP
Architecture With Significant Overall Reduction in Die Area and Cost 


SAN JOSE, Calif., Spring Processor Forum, May 16  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
MIPS Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:MIPS), today introduced the MIPS32(R) 24KE(TM)
family of cores, the first to integrate the MIPS(R) DSP Application-Specific
Extension (ASE) announced last year.  The 24KE core family leverages the high
performance 24K(TM) microarchitecture and efficiently adds DSP functionality
while significantly reducing overall SoC die area, cost, and power consumption.

Traditionally, many SoCs have utilized a RISC CPU core for the operating system
and a separate DSP core for signal processing functions. Now, with the
performance range of 400-625MHz (in 0.13 micron process) and the DSP
functionality of the 24KE core family, the need for a separate DSP core is
eliminated, decreasing total SoC die area and simplifying system and software
complexity.  With the 24KE cores, DSP performance is improved up to 200 percent
over a range of embedded applications from voice to video, compared to RISC
implementations without the DSP ASE.

The 24KE cores will be supported by a complete suite of software development
tools, the MIPS DSP Library, and a third party DSP applications network.

  Users benefit from:

  -- Lower development costs, by leveraging existing host-based tools, code,
     and infrastructure and by eliminating DSP-specific tools.
  -- Increased SoC flexibility, by utilizing a single DSP and RISC design
     environment, shortening the learning curve and time to market.
  -- Lower silicon area costs, by eliminating DSP and other processing cores
     and their dedicated resources.



"The market for programmable DSP chips reached the $7.8 billion mark in 2004,
up some 27% over 2003, and we predict continued growth over that level for
2005," said Will Strauss, president, Forward Concepts. "The larger market --
approximately $10.4 billion -- is actually for embedded DSPs, and that is a
market in which more than 100 chip vendors participate. With the introduction
of the 24KE cores, both segments represent major market opportunities for MIPS
Technologies."

The introduction of the 24KE cores reinforces MIPS Technologies' position as
the premier provider of the industry's highest performance licensable
synthesizable cores and builds on the momentum of the rapid adoption of the
24K(R) core family.  Since it was launched over a year ago, the 24K core family
has been licensed over 18 times by OEM and semiconductor companies including
Atheros, KME, LSI Logic, Micronas, PMC-Sierra, RealTek, Scientific-Atlantic,
and TZero.

Target Markets and Applications

Target markets for the 24KE cores include set-top boxes, DTVs, DVD recorders,
voice switches, IP phones, digital cameras, printers, modems, residential
gateways and automotive telematics.  Typical applications enhanced by the 24KE
cores include voice and speech processing, narrowband, broadband, digital
audio, graphics, video, and imaging.

In a VoIP application, for example, the 24KE core eliminates the need for a
separate DSP core, which may require a license fee, royalties and dedicated
resources.  Early access licensees of the 24KE core have already realized the
power of this value proposition.

"DVD recorders, digital cameras, residential gateways and VoIP phones are just
a few of the consumer products that require the increased signal and media
processing horsepower the 24KE cores provide," said Russ Bell, vice president
of marketing at MIPS Technologies. "Because the 24KE core family can eliminate
unnecessary hardware and tool chains and reduce DSP royalty payments, it's the
smart choice for companies competing in today's cost-sensitive, high-volume
consumer electronics market."

  MIPS32 24KEc Core Product Specifications(1)
   Process: 0.13 micron
   Frequency: 400-625 MHz, worst case
   Performance: 576-900 DMIPS @ 1.44 DMIPS/MHz
                800-1250 16-bit MMACs
   Core Size: 3.0 mm2 (not including caches)
   Power Consumption: 0.58 mW/MHz @ 1.2V (not including caches)



(1) Note:  Frequency, power consumption and size depend upon configuration
options, synthesis, silicon vendor, process, and cell libraries.

The MIPS32 24KE Core Family

The 24KE core family includes the 24KEc(TM), 24KEf(TM), 24KEc Pro, and 24KEf
Pro cores.

24KEf(TM) Core:  Adds hardware floating point support that is fully compliant
with the IEEE 754 specification.

24KE Pro Cores:  24KEc Pro and 24KEf Pro cores feature the CorExtend(TM)
capability which allows SoC designers to add proprietary instructions and
tightly coupled hardware.

  For additional product information please go to http://www.mips.com/.

  Availability


Early access versions of the 24KE are available to key customers now. General
availability is scheduled for Q3 CY'05.

About MIPS Technologies

MIPS Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of industry-standard processor
architectures and cores for digital consumer and business applications. The
company drives the broadest architectural alliance that is delivering 32- and
64-bit embedded RISC solutions. The company licenses its intellectual property
to semiconductor companies, ASIC developers and system OEMs. MIPS Technologies
and its licensees offer the widest range of robust, scalable processors in
standard, custom, semi-custom and application-specific products. The company is
based in Mountain View, Calif., and can be reached at [phone] or
http://www.mips.com/.

NOTE:  MIPS, MIPS32, 24K, 24KE, 24KEc, 24KEf and CorExtend are trademarks or
registered trademarks of MIPS Technologies, Inc. in the US and other countries.
All other trademarks referred to herein are the property of their respective
owners. 

DATASOURCE: MIPS Technologies, Inc.



CONTACT:  Cathy Browne of MIPS Technologies, Inc., [phone], or

 



Web site:  http://www.mips.com/

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