PMC-Sierra Announces Open Source Thin Client Networked Computing Initiative Combining Linux with MIPS-Powered Processors

Business Wire, Oct 6, 2004

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- MIPS-Powered PMC Xiao Hu Open Source Thin Clients Reduce Power By Over 90 Percent And IT Costs By 70 Percent

PMC-Sierra, Inc. (Nasdaq:PMCS) announced its Open Source Network Computing (NC) initiative to enable rapid commercialization of low power thin client solutions for education, enterprise, self-service kiosks, retail displays, Internet cafes, and advanced video-on-demand. PMC-Sierra's open source NC solution, the PMC Xiao Hu(TM) (pronounced 'Sha hu', meaning "Little Tiger"), is a commercially available single board thin client solution co-developed with China's Tsinghua University, MIPS Technologies, Inc., and ATI Technologies, Inc. The combination of the PMC Xiao Hu board with Linux software and MIPS-Powered(TM) processor achieves significant reduction in power and costs compared to the traditional desktop PC approach (see Figure 1):

--90% reduction in power

--70% reduction in IT administration costs

--50% reduction in hardware costs

The PMC Xiao Hu solution is an ideal computing platform for classrooms, Internet cafes, smart terminals, point-of-sales terminals, video kiosks, security cameras, and robotics.

"The Open Source NC Initiative has the potential to redefine computing globally and offers to drive significant increases in networked appliances in developed economies as well as for emerging economies where the government is mandating low cost computer connectivity across education, business, and residences," said Bob Bailey, President and CEO, PMC-Sierra. "Our PMC Xiao Hu development kit is an optimal building block for energy efficient thin client solutions."

"We are excited to participate in the Open Source NC Initiative with PMC-Sierra and other industry leaders to bring low power networked computing to the government, education, and high-tech industries," said John Bourgoin, President and CEO of MIPS Technologies. "Using the industry-standard MIPS(R) architecture and its broad ecosystem of optimized software, PMC-Sierra is offering a best-in-class platform that leads the market in cost and power."

"As a world leader of digital visual graphics solutions, ATI is proud to be the graphics contributor to PMC-Sierra's Open Source initiative," said Dave Rolston, Vice President and General Manager, Workstation and Embedded Products, ATI Technologies Inc. "ATI is working closely with PMC-Sierra to bring networked computing, complemented by rich and vibrant graphics technology, to government, educational facilities and high-tech industries. Providing global cost-effective and reliable graphics solutions is a key goal for both PMC-Sierra and ATI."

"Through our co-operation with PMC-Sierra, Tsinghua University has furthered our understanding of the technical demands of the market and end-users," said Professor Dongsheng Wang, Director of the Microprocessor and SoC Technology Center at Tsinghua University. "The network computer is the end result of trends within the computing industry. Similar to the mobile phone development, networked computing shall have huge market potential as end-users gain deeper understanding of the networked computing models and the consumption habits grow more sensible."

PMC Xiao Hu Development Kit Availability and Customer Support

The PMC Xiao Hu is a Development Kit containing a working prototype of an open source network computing system along with fully documented hardware and software reference designs. The hardware reference design comprises schematics and PCB layout; the software reference design has build instructions for a boot loader, Linux kernel and thin client protocol applications (see Figure 2). The PMC Xiao Hu Development Kit is available now and priced at $199 per kit. To order the development kits or download the reference designs, please contact PMC-Sierra at sales@pmc-sierra.com or visit www.pmc-sierra.com/thin_client.> PMC Xiao Hu Open Source NC Development Kit Features:

Hardware Features

--64-Bit MIPS-Powered Processors: RM5231A(TM) 400 MHz, 128-pin package, pin-compatible upgrades to the 600 MHz RM7035C(TM) and up to 900 MHz RM7935(TM)

--System Memory: SDRAM 4M x 16 bit x 4 banks x 4 chips = 128 Mbytes

--Boot Flash/ROM: supports up to 4Mbit (512K x 8). 32 pin PLCC, socketed. 90ns. Using 3V parts

--Flash Module: supports IDE flash module

--System Controller: PM8172(TM) is an Ultra RISC companion chip, 400-pin BGA. (DMA Controllers, Counter/Timers, Real Time Clock RTC)

--Graphics Subsystem: ATi RAGE XL Graphics Controller (3.3V and 2.5V, 272 pin PBGA)

--Standard connectors for:

--VGA monitor

--10/100 Base-T Ethernet

--PCI Rev. 2.2 local bus

--UART

--Two wire serial bus controller, 100k or 400k bps

--SMART CARD interface

--Consumer IR interface - CIR0, CIR1

--ATA 33 IDE interface

--Audio (AC97), stereo out, line in

--Two USB 1.1

--Parallel Port

--General Purpose I/O

--PS/2 Mouse and Keyboard

--IDE

--Form factor of Flex-ATX (9"x7.5")

--Standard ATX power supply connector

--Chassis -- small box containing board and power supply

Software Features

--Supports X11, RDP and VNC protocols