Toshiba Corporation today took major steps toward creating a comprehensivedevelopment environment for applications based on the Cell microprocessor withthe announcement of a Cell Chip Set consisting of the new microprocessor and keyperipheral chips, and a Cell Reference Set development platform. The chip setand the reference set will support development of digital consumer products andcommunication equipment that draw on the powerful broadband capabilities of theCell microprocessor.
"Software developers and other customers will be eager to make full use ofCell's unsurpassed multitasking and real-time processing functions," saidTomotaka Saito, General Manager of Broadband System LSI Division, ToshibaCorporation Semiconductor Company. "The Cell Chip Set and Reference Set willsupport them in developing products and applications that reach new levels ofperformance and excitement."
The Cell Chip Set is composed of the Cell processor, a Super Companion Chip—theinterface between Cell and external audio/visual input/output equipment—and apower supply system chip optimized to drive the Cell microprocessor.
The Cell Reference Set development platform consists of a Cell microprocessor,peripheral chips mounted on a printed circuit board with a general-useinterface, peripheral equipment, such as DVD and HDD drives, and coolingequipment required for stable operation, all housed in case. The availablesoftware includes operating systems and middleware and software developmenttools. This combination of hardware and software reduces development costs, cutsturnaround time and simplifies testing.
Toshiba expects to start marketing the chips set and reference set in April 2006or later, once it has assured supply of the component chips and all relateddocumentation.
Toshiba Corporation will showcase the Cell Chip Set and Cell Reference Set, anddemonstrate digital media applications on the Cell Reference Set at the Toshibabooth of CEATEC JAPAN 2005, from October 4 to October 8 at Makuhari Messe.
Outlines of Cell Chip Set and Cell Reference Set:
Cell Chip Set:
Cell microprocessor: Next generation microprocessor jointly developed by IBM,Sony Group and Toshiba. Adopts a multi-core architecture and offers superhigh-speed data transfer capability. The processor is expected to findapplication in equipment handling data-rich media applications.
Super Companion Chip: Cell's peripheral LSI, which houses audio and imageinterfaces supporting Cell's super high-speed data transfer capability. The chipalso supports a group of interfaces for various systems (video, audioinput/output, digital AV interface, IEEE1394, digital tuner interface) and agroup of interfaces that make it easier to connect standard input/output devices(standard bus interface, high speed network interface and storage deviceinterface.)
Highly efficient power supply system: The supply system is optimized to drivethe Cell processor. Includes controller LSI, TB6814FLG, which makes it possibleto offer high-speed response and high-accuracy required by Cell. Includesmulti-chip module, TB7003FL, which embeds power device in a small 8mm x 8mmpackage. Realizes small, high-power and high-efficient power supply system whichhas 4 phases of 1MHz high-speed switches.
Cell Reference Set:
Development platform for Cell-based, next generation digital consumer products,
High-speed multi-bit wiring technology and wide variety of interfaces thatsupports broadband system architecture
Linux and ITRON are both provided on the hypervisor OS that manages hardwareresources. This approach facilitates the reuse of application property.
A comprehensive development environment including the Eclipse framework basededitor, compiler, debugger, and performance monitor.
An audio-visual application model includes simultaneous multiple digital andanalog broadcast television reception, recording and playback.
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