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NEC Electronics America Announces VR4133 Microprocessor with 64-Bit Performance and Integrated Support of Key Network Security Algorithms for Residential Gateway Market

Posted on: Tuesday, 2 September 2003, 06:00 CDT

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Sept. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- NEC Electronics America, Inc. today announced the new VR4133(TM) 64-bit MIPS(R)-based microprocessor. The VR4133 microprocessor features a powerful yet power-efficient 266-megahertz (MHz) superscalar CPU core and a variety of integrated peripherals and networking features, including a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) interface, Ethernet media access controller (MAC) and support for Internet security protocols (IPsec) in hardware. This combination of performance and features makes this device a compelling solution for use in both wired and wireless small/home office, consumer networking and residential broadband router applications. The VR4133 processor is also attractive for use in portable media player applications and can support MIPS32(TM) applications.

"As broadband cable and DSL connectivity continues to proliferate in the small office and residential markets, consumers are demanding more features and ease of use from their broadband connections," said George Wang, general manager, standard LSI solutions strategic business unit, NEC Electronics America. "Residential and small office gateways need to support applications that link multiple PCs or use secure wireless network connections. Accordingly, the processors used in these gateway products need increased processing power and network security support, which is precisely what the VR4133 superscalar processor delivers."

The processor's 266-MHz VR4130(TM) core features a dual-issue superscalar architecture that further accelerates performance and limits power consumption to 370 milliwatts (mW) at full-speed operation. Additionally, the core's 64-bit data path provides throughput performance greater than the 32-bit processors typically used in office and residential gateways.

In addition to its low power consumption and high performance, the VR4133 microprocessor supports a variety of integrated peripherals and networking features that make it highly appropriate for Internet gateway devices. Both 33- and 66-MHz PCI interfaces support 1000Base or wireless local area network (WLAN) network connections, while integrated dual Ethernet MAC interfaces provide 10/100Base Ethernet connectivity. To address the rising concern among users for network security, NEC Electronics' VR4133 processor provides support for several security protocol algorithms in hardware, such as Encapsulating Security Payload (ESP), including Data Encryption Standard (DES), triple DES and Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) algorithms, as well as Authentication Header (AH), including Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA). The processor has a 133-MHz synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM) interface enabling designers to leverage high-performance memory in their product designs. The VR4133 microprocessor is capable of extensive on-chip software debugging via its N-wire debug hardware and N-wire and JTAG interfaces.

To further assist designers in bringing VR4133-based solutions to market quickly and cost-effectively, NEC Electronics America also will market a reference board design platform. Powered by the 266-MHz VR4133 microprocessor, the reference board also features 64 megabytes (MB) of PC-133 SDRAM, 32 MB of flash memory, two RJ-45 10/100BaseT Ethernet connectors, an RS-232C connector and a miniPCI slot. The VR4133 reference board is compatible with NEC Electronics America's RockHopper(TM) family of reference boards.

Pricing and Availability

Engineering samples of NEC Electronics' VR4133 microprocessor are available now in a 240-pin fine-pitch ball grid array (FPBGA) package, with production-level availability scheduled for later this month. The microprocessor will be priced at $27.50 each in 10,000-unit quantities. The VR4133 reference board (CMB-VR4133) is available now at a price of $1,950 each. This processor board supports NEC Electronics America's RockHopper development kit. Pricing and availability are subject to change.

About NEC Electronics' Vr Series Microprocessors

NEC Electronics' Vr Series(TM) 64-bit MIPS-based microprocessors provide comprehensive solutions for embedded system designers. Developed around the MIPS architecture, all of the

Vr Series microprocessors are code-compatible and highly scalable. With its extensive line of microprocessors at many price/performance points, NEC Electronics can deliver complete solutions for a variety of applications in the consumer, communications, automotive and industrial markets. NEC Electronics is committed to providing complete design environment support for its Vr Series microprocessors by offering a wide range of companion chipsets, development platforms and a comprehensive set of development tools. For more information, visit http://www.necelam.com/microprocessors/index.asp.

About NEC Electronics America, Inc.

NEC Electronics America, Inc., headquartered in Santa Clara, California, is a wholly owned subsidiary of NEC Electronics Corporation , a leading provider of semiconductor products encompassing advanced technology solutions for the broadband and communications markets; system solutions for the mobile, PC, automotive and digital consumer markets; and platform solutions for a wide range of customer applications. NEC Electronics America offers solutions ranging from standard products to system-on-a-chip (SoC) solutions, customized products for next-generation designs, a local manufacturing facility in Roseville, California, and the global manufacturing capabilities of its parent company. NEC Electronics America is also the North American sales and marketing channel of NEC AM-LCD and PDP modules. More information about the products offered by NEC Electronics America, Inc. can be found at http://www.necelam.com .

NOTE: NEC Electronics America, Inc., Vr Series, Vr4130 and Vr4133 are either registered trademarks or trademarks of NEC Electronics Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. MIPS is a registered trademark, and MIPS32 is a trademark of MIPS Technologies, Inc. All other registered trademarks or trademarks are property of their respective owners.

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