STMicroelectronics announces the new SPEAr Basic customisable chip

Telecomworldwire, May 27, 2008

TELECOMWORLDWIRE-27 May 2008-STMicroelectronics announces the new SPEAr Basic customisable chip(C)1994-2008 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD http://www.m2.com

STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a provider of system-on-chip technology, introduced on Monday (26 May) a 65nm SPEAr customisable chip, a new member of its SPEAr (Structured Processor Enhanced Architecture) family of configurable system-on-chip ICs.

The company said that the new SPEAr Basic device, which is manufactured in state-of-the-art low-power 65nm process technology, is for computer peripheral applications and will address a wide variety of embedded applications, including entry-level printers, fax machines, digital photo frames and Voice-over-IP.

This newest configurable SoC integrates an advanced ARM926EJ-S processor core with two 16k memory caches, running at 333MHz, for data and instructions and up to 300,000 gates (ASIC-equivalent) of embedded configurable logic.

STMicroelectronics' SPEAr concept combines cost savings and shorter time-to-market of open-market standard products with the flexibility of application-specific ICs in optimising system performance.

Transfer of the SPEAr family to 65nm process technology is expected to yield increased density, performance and power-reduction features in new SPEAr devices.

The company said that samples of the new SPEAr Basic are available immediately, with volume production set to start by the end of the third quarter of 2008.

The SPEAr Basic is priced at USD6, in quantities above 20,000 units.

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