What:
Triad Semiconductor’s via-configurable array (VCA) technology integrates analog, digital, memory and radiation-hardened resources onto pre-configured ASIC arrays. Unique to Triad’s patented VCA approach is the ability to configure and interconnect this rich set of resources using only a single via mask layer. This approach enables the re-use of silicon-proven IP, reduces engineering and tooling costs, and improves development time.  Alternatives available to designers of mission-critical military and space systems, which demand high performance and reliability in their ICs, are either cost- or power-prohibitive, or both. Triad and its design team – 100% U.S. citizens – support ITAR and Trusted Foundry design flows for secure applications. Please see http://www.triadsemi.com/services/applications/?id=military for additional detail.

When:
Monday, June 1, from 9:30 am – 6:30 pm and Tuesday, June 2, from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Where:
Booth #212, San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA. For additional conference details, see http://mtc09.events.pennnet.com/fl/index.cfm

About Triad Semiconductor, Inc.
Triad Semiconductor, Inc., a privately held fabless semiconductor company with headquarters in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, develops, prototypes and produces mixed-signal ASICs. The company’s groundbreaking via-configurable array (VCA) technology delivers ASICs with silicon-proven analog and digital functions more quickly and at lower cost than traditional full-custom approaches. Triad’s single-mask, via-only routing cuts engineering effort and fabrication time, resulting in fast-turn prototypes and allowing design changes to be made at minimal cost. For more information, please visit www.triadsemi.com or call (336) 774-2150. 

Mocha is a trademark of Triad Semiconductor, Inc.

All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved. 

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Editorial Contact:
Linda Marchant, Cayenne Communication LLC, 919-451-0776 or linda.marchant@cayennecom.com

Target Platform: Mocha™-Family – ARM® Cortex™-M0 Configurable Arrays

Application: Complete Automatic Meter Reading SoC

The TM0X11 combines a high-performance ARM® Cortex™-M0 32-bit processor optimized for deterministic embedded applications with a precision data acquisition system to provide a complete automatic meter reading (AMR) solution on a single power monitoring SoC. The Cortex-M0 support 0.8 DMIPS / MHz and can operate at frequencies up to 40 MHz. The precision analog system on the TM0X11 supports multi-channel current and voltage measurements with 24-bit sigma-delta analog to digital converters.

Flexible – Via Configurable Architecture
The TM0X11 design is implemented on TRIAD’s Cortex-M0 mixed signal configurable array (Mocha-1). The Mocha-1 is a via configurable array (VCA) containing a highperformance hardened Cortex-M0 microprocessor subsystem and configurable analog and digital resources. The TM0X11 design can be modified and debilitative products created by a single, low-cost via-mask layer change with new prototypes available in 4 weeks after tape out.

 ARM Cortex-M0 32-bit Processor

The ARM Cortex-M0 is a highly optimized 32-bit processor targeting mixed-signal and SoC applications that sets new performance, power, and determinism standards for deeply embedded applications. 

• ARM Cortex-M0 32-Bit Core
  • Binary forwards compatible with Cortex-M3 and Cortex-M1
  • Dynamic Power for Dhrystone loop: 130 uW/MHz (1.8V, 25C)
  • Dynamic power half that of the Cortex-M3
  • 50MHz operation
  • 0.8 DMIPS/MHz 
• Hardware Multiplier 32 x 32 à 32 bits, single cycle
• Integrated system timer (SysTick) and corresponding exception
• AHB-Lite interface for instructions and data
• Low latency AHB (peripheral bus) access for external load / store operations
• Thumb-1 instruction set plus a subset of Thumb-2 instruction.
• Deterministic instruction timing
  • Fixed interrupt latency of 16 cycles
  • Support for hardware stacking and unstacking of a subset of registers on exception entry and return
  • Low overall ISR entry and exit latencies
  • Exception handlers can be written in C without the need for assembler stubs
  • Interruptible-load-store multipliers for low interrupt latency.
  • WFI / WFE instructions to enable low-power sleep modes.
• Interrupt Controller (NVIC)
  • Software control of each interrupt
    • 4-level priority configuration
    • Enable / disable
    • Pend and un-pend functionality
  • Support for both level-sensitive and edge sensitive interrupts
  • Dedicated non-maskable interrupt (NMI)
  • Closely coupled with processor core for efficient exception handling:
    • Support for late-arriving exceptions to avoid having to re-stack context
    • Support for tail-chaining to reduce interrupt latency by folding together exception exit unstacking and subsequent exception entry stacking to allow direct intro into the ISR
• CoreSight^TM Compliant debug solution
  • Low-pin count JTAG or Serial-Wire interface to the debugger
  • Debug Halt mode
  • Access to memory and memory mapped registers while the processor is running or halted
  • Debug access to processor registers while the processor is halted
  • Watchpoint comparators that allow data address and instruction address matching and masking functionality
  • Breakpoint comparators that allow instruction address matching
  • BKPT instruction to allow unlimited number of breakpoints to be set in RAM regions of code

If a design does not optimally fit on an existing VCA, TRIAD can quickly and inexpensively assemble a VCA optimized for the application out of TRIAD’s extensive IP library as shown in Figure 2.

An optimized VCA can contain exactly the resources required by a particular application including:

• Total number of logic gates
• Number of distributed RAMs
• Number of block RAMs
• Digital I/O
• Number and types of Analog IP Blocks
• Analog I/O

VCA Digital Capacity

The digital section of each VCA consists of an array of logic tiles. In TRIAD’s 0.18-micron process, each logic tile contains 2,800 NAND2 equivalent ASIC gates. The logic elements within each tile are high-performance, low-power via-configurable combinatorial gates and flip-flops. These logic tiles are arrayed to create digital logic capacities up to the values shown in Table 1. Each logic tile contains a distributed 128×32 2-Port SRAM (4096-bits). These RAMs can be combined to make larger composite RAMs.

1 – 0.18-Micron VCA Maximum Logic Array Sizes

Block RAM Support

In addition to distributed RAMs within each logic tile, block RAMs of various sizes and configurations can be added to an optimized array. RAMs of various sizes can be generated and placed in the VCA. RAMs can be configured as 1-port or 2-port devices with varying address depths and data bus widths per RAM.

GOMACTech – GOMAC – is a conference established primarily to review developments in microcircuit applications for government systems. Established in 1968, the conference has focused on advances in systems being developed by the Department of Defense and other government agencies and has been used to announce major government microelectronics initiatives such as VHSIC and MIMIC, and provides a forum for government reviews.

Introducing Mixed Signal ASICs by Triad Semiconductor

Triad Semiconductor (TRIAD) delivers mixed signal IC solutions using a radically different approach that allows you to integrate analog and digital circuitry into an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) at a fraction of the cost and time normally required.

TRIAD’s approach to IC design is inherently faster, less expensive, safer and simpler than any other approach in the market.

Read more…

Because the 32-bit ARM Cortex-M0 processor occupies only 12 k gates, including an integrated timer and interrupt controller, it is ideal for integration into Triad’s Mocha family architecture, which addresses the needs of what is, in fact, an analog world. This architecture contains a rich set of configurable analog functions, including: op-amps, comparators, active filters, switched capacitor filters, ADCs, DACs, voltage regulators and capacitive sensor interfaces. These analog resources are tightly coupled with configurable digital logic, plus RAM and non-volatile memory. Combining the Cortex-M0 core with these configurable analog and digital building blocks makes the Mocha family ideal for realizing a wide range of single-chip mixed-signal system-on-a-chip (SoC) solutions for medical, industrial, sensor and military/aerospace applications.

The different members of the Mocha VCA family will provide exactly the analog, digital and processor capacities needed by specific applications, allowing designers to create optimum custom single-chip solutions. Mocha-based ASICs will be ideal for intelligent sensors, automatic meter readers, consumer peripherals, power management, precision analog applications, battery-powered products and portable medical devices.

“We’re excited about the introduction of Triad’s Mocha VCA family because it represents an ideal way to bring the advantages of the low-power ARM Cortex-M0 core to the deeply embedded market,” said Richard York, director of product marketing, Processor Division, ARM ”The combination of the lowest power 32-bit processor with analog and digital functions in a structure that can be implemented by changing a single via layer will speed the adoption of the technology across a broad range of applications.”

“As the lowest power ARM processor available, the Cortex-M0 processor allows our customers to develop SoCs that meet the growing demand for ultra-low power analog mixed-signal devices operating at ever-increasing performance levels in a wide range of next-generation applications,” said Jim Kemerling, vice president and CTO of Triad Semiconductor. “Combining it with the silicon-proven via-configurable analog and digital technology of the Mocha family provides the fastest, safest and most cost-effective way to design, prototype and produce advanced, power-efficient mixed-signal ASICs.”

About Via-Configurable Arrays
Triad’s VCA technology combines silicon-proven analog, digital, memory and — now–microprocessor resources on a single ASIC die. These resources are overlaid with a global routing fabric. Unique to Triad’s approach, all of the resources on a VCA are configured by placing vias within the global routing fabric. Vias are placed on the VCA using Triad’s advanced, analog-aware, via-only automatic place-and-route software, which configures and interconnects the entire VCA without the need for full-custom manual layout. This approach shortens time to prototypes and time to market, reduces development and tooling costs, and accelerates the design process by enabling the reuse of proven mixed-signal IP blocks.

About Triad Semiconductor, Inc.
Triad Semiconductor, Inc., is a privately held fabless semiconductor company with headquarters in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. For more information, please visit www.triadsemi.com or call (336) 774-2150 .

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ARM is the registered trademark of ARM Limited in the EU and other countries. Cortex and ARM Powered are trademarks of ARM Limited in the EU and other countries. Mocha is a trademark of Triad Semiconductor, Inc.

The Cortex-M0 processor, which consumes as little as 85 microwatts/MHz (0.085 milliwatts) in an area of under 12K gates when using the ARM 180ULL cell library, builds on the unrivaled expertise of ARM as a leader in low-power technology and a key enabler for the creation of ultra low-power devices. The new processor extends the company’s MCU roadmap into ultra low-power MCU and SoC applications such as medical devices, e-metering, lighting, smart control, gaming accessories, compact power supply, power and motor control, precision analog and IEEE 802.15.4 (ZigBee) and Z-Wave systems. The Cortex-M0 processor is also suitable for the programmable mixed signal market with applications such as intelligent sensors and actuators which have traditionally required separate analog and digital devices.

The low-power operation of the Cortex-M0 processor is enhanced by the ARM Ultra High Density Standard Cell Library for the 180ULL process, the ARM Power Management Kit (PMK), low power memory instances built specially for Cortex-M0, and the Keil™ Microcontroller Development Kit. The ARM low power libraries are optimized to enable low dynamic and static power consumption and minimize chip area. The PMK features dynamic and leakage power management functions and the low power memory instances support external power gating for extreme leakage reduction.

Early licensees of the Cortex-M0 processor include NXP Semiconductors and mixed signal ASIC designer, Triad Semiconductor.

“We are excited about deploying the smallest ever ARM processor in our product development process,” said Geoff Lees, vice president and general manager, Microcontroller Division, NXP Semiconductors. “By providing 32-bit performance in a 16-bit footprint, the ARM Cortex-M0 processor, enables us to reduce silicon and energy costs without compromising product enhancements or upward code compatibility, making it an ideal complement to the Cortex-M3 architecture that we use across our products.”

“Smart sensors are an ever growing requirement in a wide range of next-generation applications from industrial, to medical and automotive,” said Jim Kemerling, VP and CTO of Triad Semiconductor. “Combining the ARM Cortex-M0 processor with our silicon-proven configurable analog and digital technology will provide Triad Semiconductor customers with the fastest, safest and most cost-effective way to design, prototype and produce advanced mixed signal ASICs.”

“The boundaries between traditional MCU classifications have begun to blur as advancements in technology see the emergence of smaller, more powerful processor families,” said Tony Massimini, Chief of Technology, Semico. “The ultra low-power ARM Cortex-M0 processor brings this evolution to a whole new level with its 32-bit performance at an 8-bit price point, enabling manufacturers to offer rich and enhanced product features at a significantly lower cost.”

“The Cortex-M0 processor is yet another demonstration of ARM’s low power leadership and its commitment to drive the industry forward towards higher performance with ever lower power consumption,” said Mike Inglis, executive vice president and general manager, Processor Division, ARM. “With its expertise in low-power technology, ARM has worked closely with its Partners and their customers to ensure that our processor architectures enable the cost and energy-efficient creation of tomorrow’s electronic devices and systems.”

Tools
The Cortex-M0 processor is fully supported by the Keil™ MDK-ARM Microcontroller Development Kit, which integrates the ARM RealView® Compilation Tools with the new Keil µVision4 IDE and Debugger.

“The new µVision4 IDE builds on the success of what is widely acknowledged as the world’s most popular development environment for microcontrollers,” said Reinhard Keil, director of MCU Tools, ARM. “By utilizing these tools, ARM Partners can take advantage of a tightly coupled application development environment to rapidly realize the performance and ultra low-power features of the Cortex-M0 processor.”

The processor is also be supported by third-party tool and RTOS vendors including CodeSourcery, Code Red, Express Logic, IAR Systems, Mentor Graphics, Micrium and SEGGER.

CMSIS Software Standard
The Cortex-M0 processor is fully compatible with the recently-launched Cortex Microcontroller Software Interface Standard (CMSIS), the vendor-independent hardware abstraction layer for the Cortex-M processor series (Nov 12 – ARM Introduces Software Interface Standard for Cortex Processor-based Microcontrollers).  The CMSIS enables consistent and simple software interfaces to the processor for silicon vendors and middleware providers, simplifying software re-use, reducing the learning curve for new microcontroller developers and reducing the time-to-market for new devices.

ARM Fabric IP
ARM offers a comprehensive range of peripheral, debug and interconnect fabric IP, optimized for ARM processor IP, enabling Partners to reduce risk, improve system performance and accelerate time to market for their ARM processor-based devices.

ARM Services & Support
Rapid deployment of the ARM Cortex-M0 processor into embedded design teams is supported through training courses for hardware systems integration and software programming, as well as through the ARM Active Assist project-based advisory service.

Availability
The ARM Cortex-M0 is available for licensing today. For more information about the Cortex-M series of processors, please visit: http://www.arm.com/products/CPUs/families/CortexFamily.html

About ARM
ARM designs the technology that lies at the heart of advanced digital products, from wireless, networking and consumer entertainment solutions to imaging, automotive, security and storage devices. ARM’s comprehensive product offering includes 32-bit RISC microprocessors, graphics processors, enabling software, cell libraries, embedded memories, high-speed connectivity products, peripherals and development tools. Combined with comprehensive design services, training, support and maintenance, and the company’s broad Partner community, they provide a total system solution that offers a fast, reliable path to market for leading electronics companies. More information on ARM is available at http://www.arm.com.

ARM and RealView are registered trademarks of ARM Limited. Cortex and Keil are trademarks of ARM Limited. All other brands or product names are the property of their respective holders. “ARM” is used to represent ARM Holdings plc; its operating company ARM Limited; and the regional subsidiaries: ARM, Inc.; ARM KK; ARM Korea Ltd.; ARM Taiwan Limited; ARM France SAS; ARM Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.; ARM Belgium N.V.; AXYS Design Automation Inc.; ARM Germany GmbH; ARM Embedded Technologies Pvt. Ltd.; and ARM Norway, AS; and ARM Sweden AB.