ENTERTAINMENT

To help OEMs and service providers address these challenges, Freescale Semiconductor introduces a new QorIQ 64-bit platform based on Power Architecture technology featuring the e5500 core, engineered for next-generation, high-end control and data plane applications in networking, enterprise storage, security appliance, data center and aerospace/defense markets. The initial products to incorporate e5500 technology are the single-core 64-bit P5010 and dual-core 64-bit P5020 processors.

Delivering twice the performance of Freescale’s e500 core, the e5500 architecture is designed to reach frequencies up to 2.5 GHz. It is based on e500 core technology and can run either in 64-bit or 32-bit mode, thus allowing legacy software support while providing an easy transition to 64-bit processing.

In addition to powering P5 level products, 64-bit e5500 cores will be incorporated into future generations of QorIQ architectures. The new core includes enhancements to support many-core SoC implementations, as well as heterogeneous multicore processors which integrate StarCore and Power Architecture technologies in the same device.

“The advances we have achieved with our e5500 64-bit core define the benchmark for embedded power efficiency by providing a unique combination of integration and performance within extremely aggressive power envelopes,” said Lisa Su, senior vice president and general manager of Freescale’s Networking and Multimedia Group. “Freescale’s new e5500 platform opens up a new level of performance for multicore solutions that will power next-generation networks.”

Based on the Power Architecture Instruction Set (ISA) v2.06 and designed for compatibility with future generations of QorIQ products, e5500 technology features:

A 7-stage pipeline with out-of-order execution

Increased flat addressable memory space up to 64GB

High performance classic Floating Point Unit (FPU) supporting IEEE 754 Floating Point Operations

Hybrid 32-bit mode to support legacy software and transition to 64-bit architecture

L1 cache, backside L2 cache plus shared L3 cache

"The new 64-bit e5500 platform underscores Freescale’s commitment to higher performance within a tight 30W power envelope for control plane applications,” said Linley Gwennap, principal analyst of The Linley Group. “With its 64-bit P5 products and the new P3 level 32-bit quad-core offerings, Freescale is delivering on its QorIQ roadmap and setting the stage for future generations of embedded multicore processors.”

QorIQ P5020 and P5010 communications processors

The new P5020 and P5010 processors offer Freescale’s highest single-threaded performance for next-generation embedded control plane applications. With frequencies scaling to 2.2 GHz, the P5020 delivers an impressive 13,200 DMIPs in 30 Watts. Both devices are pin-compatible with P4 and P3 platform products to provide seamless roadmap scalability from two 2.2 GHz cores up to four and eight 1.5 GHz cores.

Manufactured in 45nm process technology, the P5020 and P5010 devices integrate new intellectual property. A RAID 5/6 engine accelerates parity calculations for storage applications, making it ideal for enterprise storage area networks (SAN) and enterprise network attached storage (NAS) solutions. An upgraded Serial RapidIO (v1.3 + 2.1) supports higher bandwidth, and a message manager introduces support for Type 9 (data streaming) and improves Type 11 (messaging) transactions. The P5020 also offers integrated SATA 2.0, PCI-E Gen 2 controllers, 10 Gigabit Ethernet, 5x SGMII/2.5 Gbps SGMII, and two USB 2.0 with integrated PHYs, to provide a highly integrated, high performance processor ideal for networking, industrial and data center applications.

While many current 32-bit systems have become memory bound, the P5020 increases the flat addressable memory space to 64GB. For industrial customers requiring additional floating point performance, the P5020 offers an IEEE Standard 754 floating point unit, providing 2x single precision and 4x floating point performance over previous e500 products.

Comprehensive ecosystem

Freescale enables a wide ecosystem of third-party software to simplify product development and speed time to market. Customers can start their 64-bit designs prior to first silicon with simulation platforms and CodeWarrior tools. 32-bit and 64-bit software solutions are expected to be available from a broad set of ecosystem partners including Enea, Green Hills, Mentor Graphics, Wind River, CodeSourcery QNX and others. Freescale VortiQa application software is also planned for P5 platform products.

Availability

Simulated models of the P5020 and P5010 are planned for availability in July 2010. Initial samples are planned for availability in Q4 2010, and qualification is expected in 2H 2011.