Micrel Semiconductor has introduced its Centaur KS8695P integrated multi-port PCI gateway system-on-chip processor solution with hardware and software reference designs meant for use in wired and wireless residential/soho gateways.

The KS8695P features a 166MHz ARM9 processor with memory management unit (MMU), 5-port managed switch, and 33MHz PCI bridge. The reference designs include an evaluation board, board support package, Linux-based residential gateway software, OrCAD schematics, and design collateral.

Peripheral options and examples diagram courtesy of Micrel
Micrel claims its XceleRouter Technology and 166 MHz CPU provide near wire-speed (100Mbps) WAN to LAN routing performance. The company says the KS8695P presents creative network equipment manufacturers with the opportunity to differentiate themselves with innovative PCI applications. It believes the flexibility of a PCI bridge brings “new possibilities of convergence” to the residential gateway.

In 289 PBGA packaging, the KS8695P is available for under $13 each in 10,000 piece quantities, the company says.

Summary of Features:

Micrel lists the following features for the Centaur KS8695P:

• 166 MHz ARM922T CPU
• supports firewall, VPN, content filtering, remote management, other value-added software
• includes required MMU for Linux and WinCE
• integrated 32 bit, 33 MHz PCI Bridge supporting 3 external masters and host or guest mode to address 802.11 a/b/g wireless LAN router applications
• integrated KS8995M 5 port managed switch supports tag-based VLAN and Quality of Service (QoS) to segregate and prioritize network traffic
• XceleRouter Technology provides hardware enhanced packet processing to achieve near wire-speed WAN to LAN routing, and relieve CPU burden, Micrel claims
• low power PHY technology allows for a smaller power supply and on board power distribution circuitry, removing the need for a heat sink, Micrel claims

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