Palmchip Introduces Serial ATA Core

SAN JOSE, California, January 20, 2003 ¡V Palmchip Corporation, a pioneer in semiconductor IP and system-on-chip technology, today announced the availability its new serial ATA host controller core (BK-3719). The core implements transfer speeds of 150 MB/s and emulates programmable I/O, Multi-word DMA, and Ultra ATA modes of operation. The core can be configured as a primary or secondary IDE controller, and emulates master/slave operation for support of up to two devices. The core¡¦s interface to the system-on-chip includes a DMA controller to optimize data transfers to and from the IDE devices, and provides PIO access via shadow registers. For ease of integration, the BK-3719 includes a register set that is compatible with the Intel® chip set.

¡§By rolling out our serial ATA product, Palmchip is continuing its leadership in storage connectivity IP¡¨, said Jim Venable, vice president of sales and marketing for Palmchip. ¡§We originally planned to release the product during the third quarter of this year but we saw an increase in deployment opportunities and demand for serial ATA so we moved our schedule up to meet our customers¡¦ needs.¡¨   
Serial ATA is an evolutionary replacement for the parallel ATA physical storage interface. Serial ATA is scalable and will allow future enhancements to the computing platform. It will provide for systems which are easier to design with cables that are simple to route and install with smaller cable connectors. (See www.serialata.org)
Palmchip¡¦s serial ATA core is designed for flexibility by allowing the engineer to interface the host processor through either the CoreFrame® PalmBusTM  or the AMBA AHB slave interface and to connect the system memory through either the CoreFrame® MBus interface or the AMBA AHB master interface. Additionally, it can be connected to most peripheral expansion buses.

The BK-3719 can be purchased either standalone or as part of the DP-1800 PalmPak and the DP-2000 AcurX SOC Platform as a library component (P/N LC-3719).

Availability
BK-3719 Serial ATA is available today. Contact Palmchip Corporation for pricing: 408-952-2007.

About Palmchip
Palmchip Corporation develops and licenses configurable SoC platforms, subsystems, and IP cores for embedded SoC¡¦s used in a variety of applications. Palmchip's IP is based on its CoreFrame„¥ integration technology. This technology is independent of processor, I/O or foundry, allowing designers flexibility in porting IP from any number of sources. Palmchip was established in 1996 and is today a privately held company based in San Jose, California (USA). More information can be obtained at www.palmchip.com.

Palmchip, the palm leaf logo and CoreFrame are registered trademarks of Palmchip Corporation. AcurX, Matrix, Timing Taps, and CrosSwitch are trademark of Palmchip Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners