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本帖最后由 老郭 于 2009-10-20 16:00 編輯
雙方的協議為下一代可編程平臺奠定了基石
問) 今天的新聞要點是什么?
賽靈思和ARM簽署了協議,賽靈思已經:
o 購買ARM Cortex處理器IP授權
o 采用ARM Physical IP
o 啟動下一代ARM AMBA互聯技術的開發
問) 你們為何選擇這個時候宣布?
賽靈思和ARM公司在各自的生態系統中對驅動和刺激創新至關重要。 這個時候宣布雙方的合作,開發人員可以為將來的設計實施考慮架構的選用。
問) ARM/Xilinx協議和其他的處理器/FPGA協議有何區別?
本協議不僅是處理器內核的授權問題,因為它包括Xilinx采用ARM物理IP和雙方的技術承諾,以定義下一個版本的AMBA規范,這個規范是片上通信的實際標準。
問) Xilinx為何采用ARM處理器技術?
賽靈思近年來已經觀察到了若干市場趨向,主要的客戶偏好ARM結構。Xilinx主要考慮的是ARM處理器的路線圖和ARM的業界領先地位所帶來的廣闊生態系統:
• 作為一個成功的供應商,ARM有200多家半導體合作伙伴,500多項授權和設計,在全球的付貨量超過100億。
• 在處理器架構方面,ARM的全球地位很明顯。它在市場上非常成功,在嵌入式、主流和高性能應用中都有產品。
問) Xilinx已經支持ARM Cortex了嗎?
是的。ARM已經宣布在Virtex FPGA和Spartan FPGA系列上支持Cortex-M1,而且有
基于Xilinx器件的RealView開發板,可以用于開發完整的系統、驗證客戶IP和寫器件驅動。
Q) Xilinx采用的是什么ARM物理IP?
ARM在特定的處理節點上交付為處理器應用優化的IP。除了借助ARM在微處理器架構上的領先地位,Xilinx還將采用其優化的cell libraries和嵌入式內存。
Q) 為何在AMBA規范上的合作如此重要?
ARM and Xilinx have a shared vision of future processing needs that will require advanced processor and FPGA architectures working closely together. By working together on the specification, both companies are able to ensure that the needs of the processor systems, FPGA systems and any combination thereof will be met in a coherent and efficient manner.
Q) Have any third party EDA or IP providers been involved in the next generation AMBA?
Xilinx worked closely with ARM to define and include key elements in the next generation AMBA interconnect architecture to ensure it’s optimized for FPGAs. While the details on the specification will not be disclosed until the spec is publicly announced, key EDA and IP vendors have been provided an advanced version of the specification under NDA. These vendors are currently defining their roadmap and development plans for products that will utilize this new open-standard interconnect for usage in Xilinx FPGAs. A complete list of the EDA and IP vendors is available in the press release and quote sheet.
Q) What influence will Xilinx adopting ARM technologies have on the development environment?
This move will complement the changes occurring at Xilinx over the past year. Xilinx is committed to the development and proliferation of a world class FPGA design environment. By moving to ARM technologies, Xilinx will provide customer and ecosystem developers with flexible computing platforms where their IP and software development can be shared and re-used on a broad scale.
Q) What impact will adopting ARM technologies have on the Xilinx ecosystem?
It will provide members of the Xilinx ecosystem with an open standard to develop and offer their IP to the broad AMBA-based user community. This also provides a direct path to the ARM Connected Community to develop on Xilinx platforms. Given the abundance of positive feedback from our current engagements, we expect customers and ecosystem partners to benefit and grow.
Q) How does this announcement tie into Xilinx Targeted Design Platforms?
It’s a vital component to Xilinx’s Targeted Design Platform success. When Xilinx announced its Targeted Design Platform Strategy in February 2009 with the introduction of the 40nm Virtex-6 FPGA and 45nm Spartan-6 FPGA families, it underscored the importance of IP standardization and ecosystem support as cornerstones to successful SoC implementations using FPGAs. The alliance with ARM reflects the commitment and investment Xilinx is making in these two areas.
Q) Does today’s announcement affect Xilinx’s support for the PowerPC® architecture?
No. Xilinx provides a wide range of embedded processing capabilities encompassing integrated hard cores in the high-performance Virtex FPGA families. While Xilinx is laying the foundation to meet future requirements for next-generation embedded processing technologies, it will continue to support the PowerPC architecture for customers using Virtex-II Pro FPGAs, Virtex-4 FX FPGAs and Virtex-5 FXT FPGAs.
Q) Will Xilinx continue to support the MicroBlaze soft core processor?
Yes. MicroBlaze processor support will continue and be an important component of the Xilinx embedded portfolio. |
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