Storage: Cirrus Logic Unveils Chip Integration Breakthrough for Next- Generation Hard Disk Drives

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, July 6, 1998

Demonstrating its technology leadership in mass storage, Cirrus Logic Inc. Monday launched the industry's most highly integrated chip solution (CL-SH8665) for next-generation hard disk drive (HDD) designs. Delivering the functions currently performed by as many as five separate components, Cirrus Logic's new 3CI (Channel, Controller, microController Integration) platform enables unprecedented HDD performance for mainstream desktop PCs.

In addition, because 3CI delivers a nearly complete HDD solution in a small and cost-effective package, it also supports the rapidly growing sub-$1,000 and mobile PC markets. With its significant cost and size advantages, the new 3CI platform has already been selected by a major HDD manufacturer and is poised to extend Cirrus Logic's leadership in the HDD market. Having shipped over 30 million HDD read-channels in 1997, Cirrus Logic is currently the leading supplier of key disk drive technology.

"Hard disk drive manufacturers face relentless competition to reduce costs while improving drive performance and capacity," said Xavier Pucel, senior industry analyst semiconductor applications markets for Dataquest. "The growth in data-intensive multimedia and Internet content has increased storage demands, while the sub-$1,000 PCs exert price pressure. With its highly integrated 3CI platform, Cirrus Logic is well positioned to support the performance-driven and cost-sensitive hard disk drive market." Dataquest forecasts the desktop HDD market to grow from 101 million units in 1998 to 173 million units by 2002.

Integration Lowers Cost, Size & Assembly Time The new 3CI platform leverages Cirrus Logic's expertise in mixed-signal design and storage-specific algorithms to provide key HDD functions on a single-chip: a partial-response-maximum-likelihood (PRML) read-channel for reliable data acquisition; an Ultra DMA33 disk controller for high-speed data transfers; and an ARM 32-bit processor core to handle both system and servo control functions. Since Cirrus Logic's 3CI chip already integrates servo logic into its disk controller, and the ARM processor includes program memory, the only system functions needed to create a complete HDD design are the pre-amp, motor drivers and buffer memory.

Open Architecture Fosters Innovation While 3CI is among the first to integrate key HDD functions into a single chip, its use of an open processor architecture from ARM Ltd. initiates a fundamental change in the disk drive industry, paving the way for an open programming environment and supplier choice in mass storage. Unlike proprietary microcontrollers and DSPs, an ARM-based chip solution gives manufacturers the flexibility to select from most major semiconductor suppliers, rather than being locked to a single source or closed technology. Since HDD firmware can entail a multi-million dollar development effort, ARM protects a significant investment, and offers unmatched opportunities for HDD OEMs to leverage their designs long term.

The open ARM architecture has already been embraced by 29 licensees worldwide, including most of the major semiconductor suppliers to the mass storage market. With its potential for reducing firmware development costs and accelerating time-to-market, the open ARM architecture addresses two critical requirements for success in the competitive HDD market. Cirrus Logic expects its use of the ARM processor to enable the mass storage industry to move from older, proprietary technologies to a more innovative and cost-effective open architecture.

"As more and more of the hard disk drive's electronics are integrated onto a single-chip, the adoption of an open processor architecture enables drive manufacturers to select components based on who has the best technology rather than being locked into a closed microprocessor," said Steve Dines, general manager of Cirrus Logic's Mass Storage Division. "The cost benefits and design flexibility of the ARM architecture are so significant that we believe within five years the entire disk drive industry will adopt its open programming environment, much as the cellular phone industry has converted to ARM. We expect to lead that migration."

Benefits of ARM The ARM 32-bit RISC core processor gives the 3CI platform the performance needed to perform both the microcontroller and servo control functions in today's HDD designs. Further, the ARM processor core dissipates very low power and fits within a small die size, making it ideal for future 3CI storage applications, from mobile and consumer PCs to entertainment appliances. Backed by industry momentum, the ARM roadmap ensures that the core processor will continue to meet the needs of the drive manufacturer as areal density and spindle motor speeds increase.

In addition to offering an optimized hardware solution, ARM also enables very efficient software and code development. For example, to minimize memory size and overall system cost, ARM's TDMI feature increases code density by automatically compressing frequently used system instructions from 32-bits to 16-bits. Moreover, ARM's C-Language compiler generates very efficient code, significantly reducing firmware code development time compared to writing in assembly language.