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CMC Microsystems Provides Hundreds of Canadian University Researchers With Access to Tensilica Prototyping Technology for Designs Using Xtensa LX2 Configurable Processors

Posted on: Tuesday, 3 April 2007, 09:00 CDT

Tensilica®, Inc. today announced that CMC Microsystems has upgraded its license for Tensilica's Xtensa® LX2 processor generator, boosting the prototyping capability available to university researchers through Canada's System-on-Chip Research Network (SOCRN).

This technology, which helps optimize designs by reducing the power and increasing the efficiency of the chip, will enable engineers at 36 participating SOCRN universities to create FPGA-based hardware prototypes for designs that include customized versions of the Xtensa LX2 processor. The agreement will enable wider use and application of system-on-chip (SOC) designs with Tensilica's Xtensa-based configurable processor technology.

Under Tensilica's University Program, students, researchers and instructors at all universities can access software tools and simulation technology for designs using Tensilica's Xtensa processors. Traditionally, universities must pay for hardware access. However, universities that are members of the SOCRN can now access this technology at no cost to their institution.

The SOCRN is an important part of a larger national program managed by CMC Microsystems. CMC provides more than 2,300 Canadian faculty members and graduate students with access to millions of dollars worth of tools and technologies for microsystems research. This model offers a more efficient and cost-effective way for researchers to benefit from a wealth of industry-grade infrastructure, as opposed to pursuing access to these resources individually.

"Tensilica's Xtensa LX2 configurable processor can provide the I/O bandwidth, parallelism, and low power consumption equivalent to hand-coded blocks," stated Jim Roche, president and CEO of CMC. "Tensilica's design automation tools also allow researchers to quickly generate customized versions of the Xtensa LX2 processor optimized for their application. This allows them to validate their designs without the cost and time of fabrication. In our first year working with Tensilica, several lead researchers and their graduate students have benefited from these tools. Under this new agreement, CMC will be able to deliver this technology to even more Canadian researchers over the next two years."

"CMC is demonstrating leadership by providing Canadian university researchers with access to leading-edge products for integrated circuit design that would typically exceed their reach," stated Steve Roddy, Tensilica's vice president of Marketing. "The SOCRN, managed by CMC, promotes new and innovative SOC design activity that promises to advance the art of integrated circuit design in the university labs and companies that develop electronic products."

About CMC Microsystems

CMC Microsystems builds partnerships among government, industry and universities to enable and accelerate Canada's global competitiveness in microsystems. As Canada's leader in the delivery of national infrastructure for microsystems research and technology development, CMC provides leading-edge tools and technologies for world-class research in Canadian universities, leading to innovation and the commercialization of microsystems. This research enables the development of highly qualities people, new products and companies, helping to fuel all sectors of the Canadian economy. CMC's membership includes 42 universities, one college, and 29 industrial organizations. More information is available at www.cmc.ca.

About Tensilica

Tensilica, Inc., is the recognized leader in configurable processor technology and has leveraged that technology to become the leading supplier of licensable controllers and DSP cores for mobile audio and video applications. Tensilica offers the broadest line of controller, CPU, network, and specialty DSP processors on the market today -- including full software toolchain and modeling support -- in both an off-the-shelf format via the Diamond Standard Series cores and with full designer configurability with the Xtensa processor family. The modern design behind all of Tensilica's processor cores provide semiconductor companies and system OEMs with the lowest power, smallest area solutions for high-volume products including mobile phones and other consumer electronics, networking and telecommunications equipment, and computer peripherals. For more information on Tensilica's patented, benchmark-proven processors, visit www.tensilica.com.

About the System-on-Chip Research Network (SOCRN)

The SOCRN allows university researchers, students, and industry to meet the challenge of the global shift from discrete chip-based electronics products to those that implement complete systems on a single chip. Managed by CMC Microsystems as part of its national program, the SOCRN is valued at more than CDN $40 million and links hundreds of Canadian technology researchers at more than 30 universities across the country. It provides researchers with virtual and physical platforms to build derivatives and prototypes to validate their research in a system context. The network also delivers access to a library of system components, IP blocks, and computer-aided design (CAD) tools through secure Internet communication links.

Editors' Notes:

Tensilica and Xtensa are registered trademarks belonging to Tensilica Inc. All other company and product names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Tensilica's announced licensees include Afa Technologies, ALPS, AMCC (JNI Corporation), Aquantia, Astute Networks, Atheros, ATI (AMD), Avago Technologies, Avision, Bay Microsystems, Berkeley Wireless Research Center, Broadcom, Cisco Systems, CMC Microsystems, Conexant Systems, Cypress, Crimson Microsystems, EE Solutions, Enuclia, ETRI, FUJIFILM Microdevices, Fujitsu Ltd., Hudson Soft, Hughes Network Systems, iBiquity Digital, Ikanos Communications, LG Electronics, Lucid Information Technology, Marvell, MediaWorks, NEC Laboratories America, NEC Corporation, NetEffect, Neterion, Nethra Imaging, Nippon Telephone and Telegraph (NTT), NuFront, NVIDIA, Olympus Optical Co. Ltd., Penstar, Plato Networks, PnpNetwork Technologies, sci-worx, Seiko Epson, Solid State Systems, Sony, STMicroelectronics, Stretch, TranSwitch Corporation, u-Nav Microelectronics, Victor Company of Japan (JVC), WiQuest Communications, and XM Radio.

Source: Business Wire

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