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Stretch Introduces System Optimization Platform Based on PMC-Sierra's MIPS-Powered Processors

Posted on: Thursday, 21 October 2004, 05:00 CDT

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. and SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Stretch Inc., a pioneer and leader in software-configurable processor devices, and PMC-Sierra, Inc. , a leading provider of high-speed broadband, communications and storage semiconductors and MIPS-Powered(TM) processors, today announced the S56DVK10 Development Platform. This new system optimization platform combines Stretch's software-configurable processor with PMC-Sierra's proven 64-bit microprocessor technology. The S56DVK10 Development Platform utilizes Stretch's S5610 device, the industry's first processor to embed programmable logic, which allows the general-purpose processor to off-load computational functions improving overall system performance. The S56DVK10 Development Platform provides a flexible, comprehensive solution for compute-intensive applications where time-to-performance is critical such as high-end computing, networking, imaging and multimedia.

"Our collaboration with PMC-Sierra accelerated the availability of a platform that provides improved performance in compute-intensive applications," said Reynette Au, vice president of marketing at Stretch. "Stretch is bringing to market a complete development platform with a unified programming environment that provides superior system performance and a fully integrated tool suite that allows designers flexibility to program in C/C++, improve time-to-performance, and reduce development and system cost for a multitude of applications."

"Stretch's unique software-configurable approach allows customers to quickly optimize their system by off-loading performance draining functions from the general purpose processor" said John Monson, vice president of marketing for the Microprocessor Products Division at PMC-Sierra. "The S56DVK10 Development Platform provides customers with a flexible solution that can be used in a wide range of applications where designers can easily adapt to changing market requirements without costly redesigns."

Benchmark Results

The performance of the S5610 Development Board was benchmarked with Linux version 2.4.21 running a simple IP forwarding stack algorithm. PMC-Sierra and Stretch were able to independently verify that the S56DVK10 platform was capable of forwarding 1.1 million Ethernet frames per second.

Using PMC-Sierra's 600MHz RM7065C microprocessor combined with the Stretch S5610 processor, the S56DVK10 platform achieved in excess of a 50% performance boost by off-loading the Ethernet driver to the S5610 software-configurable processor.

About the S56DVK10 Development Platform

The S56DVK10 Development Platform provides an advanced and comprehensive solution, specifically tailored to work with PMC-Sierra's 64-bit MIPS-based stand-alone processors via a programmable system bus interface. The complete platform includes the S5610 development board complimented with the Stretch Integrated Development Environment (IDE) to allow the user to customize and optimize the S5610 processor for application-specific instructions.

The full-featured development board equipped with expansion capabilities includes the S5610 software-configurable processor; direct connectivity to PMC-Sierra's RM5261A(TM), RM7000(TM) or RM7900(TM) microprocessors with 64-bit SysAD bus interfaces; support for various memories (DDR SDRAM, SRAM, Flash, and serial EEPROM); and interfaces to the S5610's integrated peripherals such as the 10/100/1000Mbps Ethernet, PCI-X, TDM & HDLC, UART, SPI, and TWI.

Stretch's easy-to-use IDE tool suite enables processor and ISEF (Instruction Set Extension Fabric) configuration via C/C++ and provides a single environment for performing functional development, performance tuning, system verification, and in-circuit debugging. The development board is available with Linux operating systems and is suited for a wide range of markets and applications as diverse as networking, office automation, medical imaging, and industrial.

Availability

The S56DVK10 Development Platform is available now. For more information, visit http://www.stretchinc.com/ or email: sales@stretchinc.com.

About Stretch

Stretch Inc. is delivering a family of software-configurable processors, the first to embed programmable logic within the processor. Using familiar C/C++ programming tools, system developers automatically configure Stretch's off-the-shelf processors to achieve extraordinary performance, easy and rapid development, significant cost savings, and flexibility to address diverse markets and changing application needs. Founded in March 2002, Stretch is headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., and has been funded through investments from Worldview Technology Partners, Oak Investment Partners and Menlo Ventures. For more information, visit http://www.stretchinc.com/.

PMC-Sierra's Comprehensive Family of Scalable 64-bit MIPS-based Microprocessors

The MIPS(R) architecture has become one of the most widely licensed, open industry standard architecture in the communications networking, printer and advanced electronic consumer markets. PMC-Sierra's MIPS-Powered(TM) standalone and integrated microprocessor products are used in a broad range of applications such as enterprise routers and switches, media gateways, storage systems, printers, and advanced electronic consumer products. For more information, visit http://www.pmc-sierra.com/processors

About PMC-Sierra

PMC-Sierra(TM) is a leading provider of high-speed broadband communications and storage semiconductors and MIPS-Powered(TM) microprocessors for Enterprise, Access, Metro Optical Transport, Storage Area Networking and Wireless network equipment. The company offers worldwide technical and sales support, including a network of offices throughout North America, Europe and Asia. The company is publicly traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the PMCS symbol and is included in the S&P 500 Index. For more information, visit http://www.pmc-sierra.com/.

NOTE: Stretch, the Stretch logo and Extending the Possibilities are trademarks of Stretch, Inc. All other brands mentioned are the properties of their respective owners.

PMC, PMCS, PMC-Sierra, RM5261A, RM7000, RM7065C, RM7900 and "Thinking You can Build On" are trademarks of PMC-Sierra, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of the respective owners.

For more information, contact:

Victoria McDonald Maureen Monterosso

Stretch Inc. PMC-Sierra

650-864-2787 408-239-8151

victoria@stretchinc.com maureen_monterosso@pmc-sierra.com

Stretch Inc.

CONTACT: Victoria McDonald of Stretch Inc., +1-650-864-2787, orvictoria@stretchinc.com; or Maureen Monterosso of PMC-Sierra, Inc.,+1-408-239-8151, or maureen_monterosso@pmc-sierra.com

Web site: http://www.pmc-sierra.com/

Web site: http://www.stretchinc.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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