Toshiba Announces Availability of Reference Board for the TX4939XBG-400 Embedded PCI-Based Microprocessor, Its Newest 64-Bit RISC Processor

SAN JOSE, Calif., June 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. (TAEC)* today announced the availability of a reference board for its newest 64-bit single-chip MIPS-based(TM) reduced instruction set computer (RISC) microprocessor, the 400-megahertz TX4939XBG-400. Designated RBTX4939, the new reference board complies with ATX specifications and includes most of the interfaces supported by the TX4939XBG-400. Using the reference board, system designers can evaluate the basic performance and features of the microprocessor prior to building a prototype system. In addition, software designers can evaluate software drivers and develop application programs before a hardware prototype is made.

"Our new RBTX4939 reference board lets our customers get a jumpstart on evaluation of the TX4939XBG-400 microprocessor and can shorten development time of TX4939-based systems significantly," said Shardul Kazi, vice president of the Embedded Processor SoC Business Unit at TAEC.

Overview of the RBTX4939 Reference Board

The RBTX4939 consists of two modules, a CPU module and a base board. The CPU module includes the TX4939XBG-400 microprocessor, DDR SDRAM and the EJTAG interface. The base board includes the PCI slots, ATA sockets, Ethernet PHY (RMII) and audio/video interface socket. Since the CPU module contains enough circuitry to boot the TX4939XBG-400, customers can reuse the CPU module in their own designs if desired. Toshiba isolated the very high-frequency circuitry in the CPU module to free customers from concern about the DDR SDRAM design and layout when designing their own board to their desired specification.

The CPU module is equipped with the following:

• TX4939XBG-400 microprocessor
• 256Mbyte DDR SDRAM (default), 4 x 512Mbit DDR SDRAM
• Power supply circuit to drive the DDR SDRAM
• EJTAG interface to enable the reading and writing of data
• DIP switch for boot configuration
• Reset, clock, real-time clock (RTC) circuit for the microprocessor

The base board includes two 10/100M Ethernet MACs (TX4939XBG-400's internal two Ethernet MACs and external PHY), NAND flash ROM (x8bit), two channels of ATA (IDE) interface, audio (AC-link/I2S) interface, five channels of PCI slot and a USB 2.0 host chip. In addition, the base board includes NOR Flash ROM, four channels of RS-232C, a 100Base-TX Ethernet controller for debugging purposes, a ROM emulator connector, two ISA slots, an outside bus expansion connector, an input/output controller and a power supply circuit to supply a stable power supply to other locations throughout the board.

Wind River Systems, Inc. and Monta Vista Software, Inc. will support the RBTX4939 with board support packages and Linux support packages respectively. In the interim, Toshiba will prepare a prototype board support package for Wind River's VxWorks® 5.5.1 and a Linux® support package for Monta Vista's MontaVista® Linux 3.1. Support for the crypto engine for IPSec/SSL will be available in the future. EJTAG vendors that will support the TX4939XBG-400 include Yokogawa Digital Computer, Kyoto Microcomputer Company, Wind River, Inc., Computex and Sophia Systems.

About the TX4939XBG-400 Microprocessor

The TX4939XBG-400 is Toshiba's first embedded Peripheral Component Interconnect -- (PCI-) based processor to use its industry-leading 90-nanometer process technology and the proprietary TX49/H4 400-megahertz CPU core. It is suitable for diverse digital consumer applications, including IP set-top box, home gateways and multimedia appliances. The TX4939XBG-400 has multiple on-chip peripheral functions, including an 8/16-bit local bus controller, a highly optimized security engine, serial/parallel video ports, ATA controllers, a DDR SDRAM controller, a NAND flash controller, Ethernet MAC controllers (RMII), a PCI controller, a DMA controller, an interrupt controller, an AC-link controller, serial and parallel ports, timers/counters and a RTC with battery back-up support. It supports popular operating systems, including VxWorks from Wind River Systems, Inc. and MontaVista Linux from MontaVista Software, Inc.

Pricing and Availability of the RBTX4939 Reference Board

Engineering samples of the reference board are currently available with mass production planned to start in October 2005. Pricing is $3,000.00 each.

About the Toshiba TX System RISC Family of Microprocessors

Toshiba forged an alliance with MIPS Technologies, Inc. in 1989. Today, Toshiba offers a full family of MIPS-based RISC microprocessors and peripheral circuits. The Toshiba TX System RISC family consists of 32- and 64-bit processors available as standard products or as an ASIC tailored for an embedded design. The family is composed of a range of processors from low- power consuming to high-performance and includes special functions essential for the design of embedded products, such as reduced code size and real-time capability. Toshiba offers access to expert technology professionals for design questions and application support.

Toshiba also offers TX39/49/99 System RISC Reference Platforms consisting of hardware, software and system integration tools and documentation based on products from Toshiba. This modular, configurable approach provides a ready-to-use bill of materials and will evolve with the customer's design and industry standards. Customers get a jump on software development and on the competition. Platforms are available for home-entertainment, IP set-top-box, industrial-control, mobile and wireless, and other digital consumer applications.

About TAEC

Combining quality and flexibility with design engineering expertise, TAEC brings a breadth of advanced, next-generation technologies to its customers. This broad offering includes memory and flash memory-based storage solutions, a broad range of discrete devices, displays, medical tubes, ASICs, custom SOCs, microprocessors, microcontrollers and wireless components for the computing, wireless, networking, automotive and digital consumer markets.

TAEC is an independent operating company owned by Toshiba America, Inc., a subsidiary of Toshiba Corp. (Toshiba), Japan's second largest semiconductor manufacturer and the world's ninth largest integrated manufacturer of electric and electronic equipment. In almost 130 years of operation, Toshiba has recorded numerous firsts and made many valuable contributions to technology and society. For additional company and product information, please visit TAEC's website at chips.toshiba.com. For technical inquiries, please e-mail Tech.Questions@taec.toshiba.com.

Information in this press release, including product pricing and specifications, content of services and contact information, is current and believed to be accurate on the date of the announcement, but is subject to change without prior notice. Technical and application information contained here is subject to the most recent applicable Toshiba product specifications. In developing designs, please ensure that Toshiba products are used within specified operating ranges as set forth in the most recent Toshiba product specifications and the information set forth in Toshiba's "Handling Guide for Semiconductor Devices," or "Toshiba Semiconductor Reliability Handbook." This information is available at www.chips.toshiba.com, or from your TAEC representative.

All trademarks and tradenames held within are the properties of their respective holders. MIPS-based is a trademark of MIPS Technologies, Inc. VxWorks is a registered trademark of Wind River, Inc. MontaVista is a registered trademark of MontaVista Software, Inc. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.