
3
CB-C9
The family offers an extensive library of primitive
macrofunctions characterized for 3.3-V operation (2.5-
V operation in the future). Each of these blocks has
several different drive strengths, allowing the synthesis
tool to select the most suitable block for the required
internal load. This generally reduces the design
overhead without influencing design performance. The
internal gate delay for a two-input NAND gate is 87
picoseconds (ps), (F/O=1, L=0mm, 3.3-V operation)
and under loaded conditions 113 (F/O=2, L=typ, 3.3-V
operation) and 120 ps (F/O=1, L=typ, 2.5-V operation).
To meet today's high-speed demands, high-perform-
ance I/O macros are mandatory. CB-C9 supports
macros such as GTL, pECL, and HSTL for fast, low
power data transfer, PLLs to synchronize on-chip
system clocks, and PCI signaling standards. Also,
CB-C9 offers a variety of macrofunctions to be
incorporated on a single chip. These macrofunctions
include CPU cores, peripheral devices, RAM/ROM,
datapath macros and functions, enabling designers to
perform system-on-silicon. Moreover, level shifters
(connect between 3.3-V external and 2.5-V internal)
are supported to provide low power consumption and
flexible interfacing to different signal voltages making
correspondence.
The range of NEC's proprietary 32-bit RISC CPUs
include V810, V851 which has V810 core and 16-bit
external data bus, and an upgraded high-speed
version of the popular 16-bit CPU V30MX, which
operates at clock speeds of 33 MHz at 3.3-V, and
offers an improved 286-compatible address pipelining
and uses a 24-bit address bus. Other specific cores
can be implemented on request. For details about the
full range of on-chip macrofunctions, refer to Table 3.
Please also refer to Table 4 for compiled RAM
specifications.
Embedded macrofunctions are easy to place, route,
and simulate. Because these macros are derived from
NEC's standard parts, they have fully characterized
parameters and can be tested with standard test
vectors to ensure full functionality and reliability.
NEC's test bus architecture allows complete system
simulation, production testing of the internal circuits of
the macrofunctions, and seamless embedded CPU
core emulation. The CPU may be connected
externally and can be replaced by an in-circuit
emulator (ICE). All this is performed with only two
dedicated test control pins.
CB-C9 Applications
Major advantages of NEC's CB-C9 ASIC family are
high integration density, high speed and very low
power consumption and cost-effective memory and
megamacro integration.
Following these main advantages results in a wide
range of applications. For example, high-performance
transmission and switching systems, based on ATM
technique, may take advantage from high speed, high
integration density and high performance memory
integration. High-end hand-held applications as PDA's
or mobile communication equipment make use of low
power and the capability of global system integration
including powerful microprocessor cores, which results
in small system cases. Future high-end consumer
products such as digital TV set-top boxes need
system-on-silicon integration to allow cost-effective
mass production. High-end chipsets for engineering
workstations (EWS) or graphic PC-subsystems need
very high performance combined with cost-effective
packaging solutions. With it's very low power
consumption, NEC's CB-C9 family enables the usage
of more cost-effective packaging solutions.
Low Power Consumption
NEC's CB-C9 Titanium-Silicide process features
exceptionally low power dissipation to facilitate super
high-speed operation without the need of costly
package options. The process also drastically
increases battery life for hand-held applications. The
new ASIC family dissipates power at 0.7 µW/MHz/gate
(3.3-V) and at 0.5 µW/MHz/gate (2.5-V).
Test Simplification Design
To test the logical circuit of 1.6M gate large-scale
easily, CB-C9 allows use of Scan and Boundary Scan
for logic area, BIST for memory macros, and direct
accessed test bus architecture for core macros.
System on Silicon
NEC offers a wide selection of CPU/MCU cores,
industry-standard intelligent peripheral macros, and
compilable RAM/ROM blocks and datapath macros as
well as analog functions in hard macro form that can be
integrated onto a single CB-C9 chip. Including such
macrofunctions in an ASIC design makes it possible to
achieve a high level of integration, performance, and
system security.