In a recent joint release, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC), Brite Semiconductor, and Synopsys have announced a venture that has resulted in an IoT platform that is designed to enable designers, system integrators and OEMs to accelerate and differentiate next-generation IoT systems.
The platform consists of the Synopsys DesignWare ARC Data Fusion Subsystem with an ARC EM9D processor, and USB and I3C IP solutions integrated by Brite Semiconductor design services using SMIC’s 55-nm ultra-low power (ULP) process. The team’s efforts resulted in the development of a test chip demonstrating in a reported up to 45 percent reduction in dynamic power and 70 percent reduction in leakage power, as compared to the SMIC 55LL process technology. This platform will now provide customers with a starting point for creating IoT designs and enable the integration of customized functions on demand, while lowering costs. In addition, Synopsys is offering a commercialized ARC IoT Development Kit based on the platform.
“As a leading ASIC design solution provider, Brite worked closely with Synopsys and SMIC to develop an ARC-based IC optimized for the IoT on SMIC's 55-nm ULP process,” said Larry Lee, VP, Marketing & Sales, Brite Semiconductor. “Our mutual customers can now leverage a proven design and design team to develop their own SoC, customized for their specific application requirements, and get it to market in record time.”
Synopsys' ARC Data Fusion IP Subsystem, implemented in the IoT platform, is a pre-verified hardware and software IP product designed for use in devices requiring minimal energy consumption. Tightly coupled interface peripherals, including pulse density modulation (PDM), and I2S combined with the included audio processing software library simplify the implementation of voice and speech functionality in a range of applications such as far-field voice user interfaces and hands-free voice commands. In addition, the standards-compliant MIPI I3C controller enables high data rate transmission for the integration of multiple sensors in SoC.
“The advent of ‘always-on’ IoT applications needing sensor fusion, audio playback and voice detection functionality is requiring systems to be optimized for the lowest power consumption possible,” said John Koeter, VP, marketing, IP, Synopsys. “Our collaboration with Brite and SMIC on the IoT IP Platform provides SoC designers, system integrators, OEMs and software developers with a proven solution that enables efficient development of their next-generation, low-power chipsets.”
Ken Briodagh is a writer and editor with more than a decade of experience under his belt. He is in love with technology and if he had his druthers would beta test everything from shoe phones to flying cars.Edited by
Ken Briodagh
