MontaVista Linux supports two relatively new MIPS32 core families from MIPS Technologies, the companies have announced. MontaVista's Professional Edition 3.1 now supports both the MIPS 24K, said to be the highest-performance 32-bit synthesizable processor core available, and the MIPS 4KE core, described as being popular in broadband and networking devices.

MIPS 24K

MIPS Technologies describes its 24K cores as “the industry's highest-performance 32-bit synthesizable processor cores.” The synthesizable cores target high-volume applications such as broadband access, wireless, networking, digital television, and office automation.

MIPS first announced the family in June, 2003, revealing further details in October at the Microprocessor Forum in San Jose. When the 24K core family shipped in April, 2004, MIPS said MontaVista would work with the company to optimize and tune a Linux distribution for the cores.

The four cores include:

• 24Kc core — Base version. Includes a 32×32 Multiply/Divide Unit and configurable memory management unit with TLB or fixed mapping.
• 24Kf core — Includes IEEE 754 hardware floating point support, requiring less than 1.0 sq. mm of additional area in a 0.13 micron process.
• 24Kc Pro and 24Kf Pro core versions — Offer user defined instructions through CorExtend, which is compatible with the industry-standard MIPS32 architecture.

According to MIPS, the 24K cores can be targeted by customers at various process nodes. In TSMC's 0.13G process, they can exceed 400 MHz. And, in the 0.13 LV-OD low-K process, they can exceed 625 MHz, the highest frequency available in a 32-bit synthesizable core for embedded markets, MIPS says.

The 24K family also boasts the highest known Java performance, MIPS claims, with 5,000 Embedded CaffeineMark 3.0 at 625MHz. Additionally, MIPS says the newer, 625MHz 24K core family has “experienced the fastest rate of licensing of any MIPS Technologies product line.”

MIPS 4KE

According to MIPS Technologies, the 4KE core family is one of the most popular MIPS cores for broadband and networking applications. The family is part of MIPS's DesignWare library, which also includes pre-verified peripheral IP. The deliver more than 1.35 Dhrystone 2.1 MIPS/MHz, MIPS says, while consuming very little power.

MIPS VP of Sales Jack Browne said, “Linux is becoming increasingly popular among application developers. The outstanding customer response to the 24K family of cores is due in part to the support of leading third parties in the MIPS ecosystem.”

 
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