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ARM Unveils One-chip SMP Multiprocessor Core

Posted by Hemos on from the making-fast-computers-tiny dept.

An anonymous reader writes "ARM Ltd. will unveil a unique multi-processor core technology, capable of up to 4-way cache coherent symmetric multi-processing (SMP) running Linux, this week at the Embedded Processor Forum in San Jose, Calif.. The "synthesizable multiprocessor" core -- a first for ARM -- is the result of a partnership with NEC Electronics announced last October, and is based on ARM's ARMv6 architecture. ARM says its new "MPCore" multiprocessor core can be configured to contain between one and four processors delivering up to 2600 Dhrystone MIPS of aggregate performance, based on clock rates between 335 and 550 MHz."

4 of 145 comments (clear)

  1. Interesting by INeededALogin · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The MPCore multiprocessor enables system designers to view the core as a single "uniprocessor", simplifying development and reducing time-to-market, according to ARM.

    The opposite of HyperThreading? 4 CPU's to one instead of 1 CPU to 2?

    The only thing that I can guess they mean by simplifying is that a developer would not have to design a multi-threaded application to take advantage of the other threads.

  2. Synthesizable = can put it in an FPGA by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    In case you were wondering what that is all about...

    Synthesis of a core is analagous to compiling your software- except in an FPGA it is processing a hardware definition language like VHDL or Verilog to create the 'code' used to load the FPGA.

    This is a big plus for people wanting to put a wicked fast processing unit in the core along with whatever custom IO goodies they can come up with.

    Too bad its not open source, as there are other wicked fast processor cores available. For example Xilinx can license you to put a PowerPC in its FPGA cores.

  3. Wave of the future. by Willeh · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Imo this new "multiple cpu's per chip" is the way forward. And the huge power savings is an added bonus. One question springs to mind though, how much performance can you gain by using this technique? i mean, sooner or later you will hit the limits of say, the memory bus or the graphics bus or whatever(speaking in layman's terms obviously), especially in environments where power consumption is an issue, and huge memory banks take alot of power to keep them refreshed. Still, i welcome the development, smp type deals can make a computing experience easier to cope with during intensive use like compiling and other cpu intensive tasks.

    --
    Will wank off Linus Torvalds for fame.
  4. ARM servers by simpl3x · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Cobalt servers were originally based on ARM processors, and were for the most part really nifty. Most palmtop and cell devices also use the processors, so my question is, why don't we see more reasonable personal computers (or blades servers) based upon this architecture. People don't use the processing capacity available to them, and tuning of storage and networking often gives a better return per dollar. Somthing along the profile of the Psion Netbook or old (or new depending upon your perspective) Apple Newton (also ARM) would be very cool and useful. Give it some cellular/WiFi tech...