Flexible Multi-Protocol SGMII/XAUI/PCI Express-Optimized Structured ASIC
NC Express is a highly integrated SoC platform that combines Faraday's industry leading Metal Programmable Cell Array™ (MPCA) structured ASIC technology with 16 high-speed multi-protocol programmable SerDes I/Os and pre-diffused IP blocks optimized for next generation SoC designs.
Semiconductor and OEM companies can use NC Express to serve as a foundation platform to develop a cost effective SoC with 50% of the final design already completed. Customers can differentiate their SoC/ASIC devices by customizing the chip's integrated structured ASIC block (MPCA) with their own value-added IP. The device can be customized using a combination of 16x high-speed SerDes lanes, and 6.5M total usable ASIC gates that are divided into 2 regions: Customer Structured ASIC (5M gates) and Controller S-ASIC region (1.5M gates). The device supports up to 7M bits of embedded SRAM, and a 333 MHz ARM926EJ CPU with pre-diffused peripherals.
Packaged in 31 mm x 31 mm 860-pin flip chip package (a 400-pin option is also available), with nominal power dissipation of 7 watts (9W max.), NC Express is the industry most advanced multi-protocol programmable PCIe, GbE, 10GbE/XAUI structured ASIC device in its class.
 
Features Highlights
- 90 nm technology/UHS library
- 16x 1.25-3.125G SerDes lanes
- 6.5M usable gates/11M raw
- 250 MHz logic operational speed
- 7.2M bits embedded SRAM
- 4 metal/3 Via programmable layers
- SerDes PCS for SGMII, 10G/XAUI, and PCIe
- 100 programmable I/Os (LVTTL)
- 90 legacy I/Os
- 333 MHz ARM926EJ
- USB 2.0 OTG PHY
- 72-bit 333 MHz DDR2 PHY
- 860-pin FC-BGA 31 x 31 mm2
- Linux 2.6 driver and BSP
|
Benefits
- 3x faster time to market and TAT
- 1/3 typical 0.13 µm ASIC NRE
- Pre-integrated PHY and on-demand IP that save verification and integration time
- Develop quick derivative products for different markets
- Respond quickly to new standards by changing few metal layers
- Rapid RTL and software prototyping using EVB
|
On-Demand Diffused
- USB 2.0 OTG Ctrl
- 16-/72-bit 333 MHz DDR2 Ctrl w/ ECC
- PCI Express EP/EC controller
- 10GbE MAC IP
- 10/100/1000/2500 BASE XMAC
- ARM CPU peripherals
Applications
- 10G communication line cards
- ATCA/MicroTCA Systems
- 10G NIC/HBA/Accelerators
- Low-cost 10G termination
- SME appliances
- Storage appliances
- Security and NPU designs
|
