PipelineZero Architecture, hazards-free single-cycle execution, extreme code density, small silicon area, and power-saving design yield one of the most performance- ...
Silicon IP Cores
BA22-DE
32-bit Deeply Embedded Processor
The royalty free BA22-DE is a compact yet powerful 32-bit processor for deeply embedded applications. It is a Harvard-style processor able to run at relatively high clock frequencies (more than 800MHz in 28nm), with a surprisingly small silicon footprint (base version is just 15K gates). Highly configurable to allow a variety of size/performance trade-offs, the BA22-DE can be used as a microcontroller in numerous applications, including mixed signal processing, portable and wireless devices, and automotive systems.
The BA22-DE uses separate instruction and data buses, and it has a pipeline depth of 4 or 5 stages depending on its configuration. The processor connects to the system via AMBA® AHB™, AXI4™, or Wishbone interfaces. It is also equipped with dedicated Quick Memory (QMEM) interfaces to tightly-coupled memories—which offer fast and deterministic access to code and data—and can be used for inter-core communication in a multi-core architecture.
Its base version includes 16 to 32 general-purpose registers (GPRs), a tick timer (TTimer), a programmable interrupt controller (PIC), an advanced power management unit (PMU), and optionally a debug unit (DBGU). The core’s processing capabilities can be enhanced further with the optional hardware multiplier (MUL), divider (DIV), Multiply Accumulate (MAC), IEEE 754 compliant floating point, and DSP instructions acceleration units. Its interrupt response time can also be optimized with the addition of a Vectored Interrupt controller (VIC).
The BA22-DE supports the variable instruction length BA2 instruction set, benefits from its extreme code density, and is binary compatible with other members of the BA2x processor family. Programming is facilitated with the included C/C++ tool chain, BeyondStudio™ Eclipse-based IDE, architectural simulator, and ported C libraries. Advanced debugging capabilities and off-the-shelf development boards can further ease software development.
Additional microcontroller peripherals may be ordered for pre-integration and delivery with the core, individually or in a complete platform. IP Integration Services are also available to help integrate any BA22 processor configuration with memory controllers, image compression, or other CAST IP cores.
Part of the royalty-free BA2x family, the BA22-DE processor core has been designed for easy reuse and integration, has been rigorously verified, and is production proven.
The BA2 instruction set provides extreme code density without compromising performance, ease of use, or scalability. It features:
- A linear, 32-bit address space
- Variable length instructions: 16, 24, 32, or 48 bits
- Simple memory addressing modes
- 16 to 32 general purpose registers
- Efficient flow-control, arithmetic, and load/store instructions
- Floating point and DSP extensions
The core is delivered with BeyondStudio™, a complete Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for Windows and Linux under Eclipse. BeyondStudio includes a highly featured source code editor, supports graphical source-level debugging and GUI based configuration, and can be extended with a collection of available or custom plug ins.
The IDE integrates an Instruction level simulator and a GNU cross-compiling toolchain. The GNU Compiler Collection (GCC), includes front ends for C, C++, Objective-C, Fortran, Java, and Ada; libraries for these languages (e.g. libstdc++, libgcj, etc) are provided. The toolchain also includes the GNU Binutils collection of binary tools, and the GNU Project Debugger (GDB).
Extensive support of libraries enables easy application development for Linux and Android. Finally, hardware targets can be interfaced with the cost effective Beyond Debug Key, which in addition to standard JTAG (IEEE 1149.1 and IEEE 1149.7) also supports proprietary One Wire Debug and Two Wire Debug protocols.
Support and Services
The core as delivered is warranted against defects for 90 days from purchase. Thirty days of phone and email technical support are included, starting with the first interaction. Additional maintenance and support options are available.
IP Integration Services are also available to help minimize time to market for BA22-based systems. The processor core can be delivered pre-integrated with bus infrastructure cores, typical microcontroller peripherals, memory controllers, and interconnect IP cores. Contact CAST Sales for details. Deliverables
The core is available for ASICs in synthesizable Verilog source code or for FPGAs in optimized netlists. It includes everything required for successful implementation: extensive documentation, a testbench, a sample SoC design, sample synthesis and simulation scripts, and the BeyondStudio™ Eclipse-based software development IDE for Windows and Linux.
Reference designs on FPGA boards are also available; contact CAST Sales for information.
Deliverables
The core is available for ASICs in synthesizable Verilog source code or for FPGAs in optimized netlists. It includes everything required for successful implementation: extensive documentation, a testbench, a sample SoC design, sample synthesis and simulation scripts, and the BeyondStudio™ Eclipse-based software development IDE for Windows and Linux.
Reference designs on FPGA boards are also available; contact CAST Sales for information.
The BA22-DE can be mapped to any ASIC technology or FPGA device (provided sufficient silicon resources are available). The following are sample ASIC pre-layout results reported from synthesis with a silicon vendor design kit under typical conditions, with all core I/Os assumed to be routed on-chip. The provided figures do not represent the higher speed or smaller area for the core. Area, power and speed depend on configuration, optimizations, process, and libraries. Furthermore power consumption depends on power management, software and memories configuration. Please contact CAST to get characterization data for your target configuration and technology.
| ASIC Technology |
Freq. (MHz) |
Area (µm2) |
Logic Eq. Gates |
|
TSMC 180nm (wl30, typ)
|
50
|
266,647.6
|
16,032
|
|
170
|
392,804.6
|
23,617
|
|
|
TSMC 130nm (wl30, typ)
|
50
|
148,828.0
|
17,536
|
|
150
|
186,841.3
|
22,015
|
|
|
225
|
297,593.3
|
35,064
|
|
|
TSMC 90nm (wl30, typ)
|
50
|
76,719.9
|
15,532
|
|
100
|
84,013.7
|
17,009
|
|
|
TSMC 65nm (wl30, typ)
|
50
|
46,671.6
|
11,668
|
|
200
|
65,960.0
|
16,490
|
|
|
380
|
127,420.4
|
31,855
|
The following results reported from Altera tools, assume a 4kx64 RAM connected to the IQEM bus, an 8kx32 RAM connected to the DQEM bus, that all clocks driven by a common source, and that all core I/Os are routed off-chip.
| Family Device |
Logic Area | Freq. (MHz) |
Memory* |
|
Cyclone IV-E
EP4CE75F29C6 |
5,845 LEs
|
63
|
66 M9Ks
|
|
Cyclone V
5CGXFC7D6F31C6 |
3,299 ALUTs
|
76
|
66 M10Ks
|
|
Stratix IV
EP4SE820H35C3 |
3,338 ALUTs
|
115
|
66 M9Ks
|
|
Stratix V
5SGXMA7H1F35C1 |
3,459 ALUTs
|
153
|
34 M20Ks
|
* Memory required for the implementation of QMEMs, not he CPU.
The provided figures do not represent the higher speed or smaller area for the core. Area, power and speed depend on core configuration and tool optimizations. Furthermore power consumption depends on power management, software and memories configuration. For accurate characterization on your application please contact CAST.
The BA22-DE can be mapped to any ASIC technology or FPGA device (provided sufficient silicon resources are available). The following results reported from AMD tools, assume a 4kx64 RAM connected to the IQEM bus, an 8kx32 RAM connected to the DQEM bus, that all clocks are driven by a common source, and that all core I/Os are routed off-chip.
| Family Device |
Logic (Slices) |
Freq. (MHz) |
Memory* (BRAM) |
|
Spartan-6
XC6SLX150T-3 |
1,276
|
72
|
32
|
|
Virtex-5
XC5VLX110-3 |
1,359
|
104
|
16
|
|
Virtex-6
XC6SLX130T-3 |
1,367
|
120
|
16
|
* Memory required for the implementation of QMEMs, not he CPU.
The provided figures do not represent the higher speed or smaller area for the core. Area, power and speed depend on core configuration and tool optimizations. Furthermore power consumption depends on power management, software and memories configuration. For accurate characterization on your application please contact CAST.
Engineered by Beyond Semiconductor.
Features List
High Performance 32-bit CPU
- 2.93 CoreMarks/MHz
- Single-cycle execution on most instructions
- Fast interrupt response
- Optional hardware multiply, divide, multiply-accumulate, DSP instructions acceleration, and floating-point units
Low Power Consumption;
- Industry-leading code density minimizes instruction memory area & power
- Small silicon footprint (from 11,000 sq. um in 28 nm technology, or 15K eq. gates) consumes less leakage energy
Flexible Memory Access
- Tightly-coupled Quick Memory for fast and deterministic code and/or data access
- Instruction and/or data memories can also be connected to the AHB, AXI4 or Wishbone bus
- Optional Memory Protection Unit
Efficient Power Management
- Dynamic clock gating and power shut-off of unused units
- Software- and hardware-controlled clock frequency
- Wake-up on tick timer or external interrupt
Advanced Debug Capability
- Non-intrusive debug/trace for both CPU and system
- Complex chained watchpoint and breakpoint conditions
- Standard JTAG and proprietary Two-Wire Debug interfaces
Integrated Peripherals
- Base configuration includes a 32 bit-wide tick timer and a programmable interrupt controller
- Optionally pre-integrated with AMBA bus infrastructure, DMAs, GPIOs, UARTS, Timers, SPI, I2C, memory controller and other IP cores from CAST
Easy Software Development
- Beyond Studio IDE for Windows, Linux
- ANSI C/C++ compiler, debugger, linker, assembler, & utilities
- Architectural simulator
- Ported libraries & RTOS
Ready for Evaluation
- Talos-BA2x Evaluation Kit includes a debug key, FPGA board with reference design, drivers and software
