Digital Equipment Corp. thinks it has found the logical way to optimize its StrongARM chip for network computers.

The company will use the 21285 core logic chip to improve the performance of the StrongARM SA-110 processor with a PCI bus.

The result will be faster throughput when StrongARM is employed in thin clients, add-in cards or as a booster chip in a PC or server.

The logic chip, which will start shipping in volume by the third quarter, is seen as essential in broadening Strong-ARM's appeal.

"It allows the microprocessor to be used in markets it couldn't be used in without the PCI capability," said Mark Rosenbluth, engineering manager of the PCI bridge product line for Digital.

Data can stream through a StrongARM with the logic chip's help at a rate up to 132 Mbytes per second, although speeds of 100 Mbps are more common. Other features include a synchronous DRAM interface, flash ROM interface, serial and parallel ports, and a PCI bus arbiter.

The Maynard-based computer maker is counting on the logic chip to help StrongARM become the most popular chip in network computers and handheld devices that run the Windows CE operating system. Strong-ARM is being used in the network computers of a half dozen manufacturers.

The logic chip allows StrongARM to be utilized on add-in cards that perform specific duties, such as I/O functions for a RAID controller, thereby freeing up the main processor's bandwidth.

Similarly, StrongARM could help keep PC and server CPUs uncluttered.

"The host CPU can concentrate on keeping the application working and giving better throughput," Rosenbluth said. Performance gains would depend on the processor setup, he said.

In each computing environment, the logic chip provides bus control, memory, PC bus arbitration, timing and I20 message functions. The chip costs $19.50 each in quantities of 10,000.

Source: Computer Reseller News