Vendor: CAST Category: CPU

32-bit Application Processor

The royalty-free BA25 is a 32-bit processor for demanding systems running applications on general-purpose operating systems such …

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Overview

The royalty-free BA25 is a 32-bit processor for demanding systems running applications on general-purpose operating systems such as Linux and Android. The high-performance BA25 processor runs at high clock frequencies yet has a smaller silicon footprint than most competing application processors (e.g., over 1100MHz and from 145K µm2 in TSMC 28nm HPM, including the FPU, and excluding SRAMs).

The BA25 is binary-compatible with other members of the silicon-proven BA2x processor family. Its BA2 instruction set is relatively simple and extremely compact, offering system area and energy savings benefits. Programing is facilitated with the included C/C++ tool chain, Beyond Studio™ Eclipse-based IDE, architectural simulator, and ported C libraries, RTOSs, and OSs.

The royalty-free, high-performance BA25 processor core is suitable as the main system processor in a multitasking environment and is a competitive choice for designs running full operating systems such as Linux or Android. 

Key features

  • High Performance 32-bit CPU 
    • Seven-Stage Pipeline 
    • Out-of-Order Completion 
    • Sophisticated Branch Prediction 
    • Optional Floating Point Unit 
    • 2.51 Coremarks/MHz 
    • 1100+ MHz on TSMC 28nm HPM 
  • 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 
  • Fast & Flexible Memory Access 
    • Separate Instruction and Data Caches and MMU  
      • AXI4 data & instruction buses (32-, 64- or 128-bit) with 4 GBytes direct addressable space on each bus 
    • Tightly coupled Quick Memory (QMEM) interface for fast and deterministic access to code and/or data 
  • Two-Level Cache and MMU 
    • L0 cache running at core frequency and L1 cache running at half the core frequency 
    • 1–16 Kbytes L0 caches, up to four-way set associative 
    • 32–512 Kbytes L1 caches, up to four-way set associative 
    • L0 MMU with up to 32 four-way associative entries 
    • L1 MMU with up to 2048 four-way associative entries 
  • Optional Integrated Peripherals 
    • Vectored Interrupt Controller  
    • Microcontroller peripherals such as GPIO, UART, Real-Time Clock, Timers, I2C, and SPI 
    • Memory controllers, interconnect IP, and more 
  • Easy Software Development  
    • Non-intrusive JTAG debug/trace for both CPU and system 
    • Complex chained watchpoint and breakpoint conditions 
    • BeyondStudio™ complete IDE for Windows or Linux under Eclipse 
    • Ported libraries and operating systems 

Block Diagram

BA25 block diagram

Files

Product Sheet Download

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Specifications

Identity

Part Number
BA25
Vendor
CAST
Type
Silicon IP

Provider

CAST
HQ: USA
CAST is a silicon intellectual property (IP) developer, aggregator, and integrator providing IP cores and subsystems since 1993. Our product line features both leading-edge and standards-based digital IP, including compression engines and image processing functions; 8051 microcontrollers and low-power 32-bit BA2X™ processors; industry-leading automotive interfaces; a complete family of SoC security modules; and a variety of peripherals, interfaces, and other IP cores. Our goal is to maximize IP benefits for our customers by delivering high quality, easy to use, cost effective solutions for real system development challenges. We minimize customer risk through rigorous development standards, complete deliverables with comprehensive documentation, and superlative customer support. We maximize customer value thorough competitive pricing and simple licensing—including royalty-free options—and long-term partnerships with all leading silicon providers and select technology leaders. Our product standards and business practices have been uniquely honed through successful projects with hundreds of systems designers since the very beginnings of the IP industry, making CAST one of the best IP partners available.
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Frequently asked questions about CPU IP cores

What is 32-bit Application Processor?

32-bit Application Processor is a CPU IP core from CAST listed on Semi IP Hub.

How should engineers evaluate this CPU?

Engineers should review the overview, key features, supported foundries and nodes, maturity, deliverables, and provider information before shortlisting this CPU IP.

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