Palmchip has announced an MP3 SoC hardware platform featuring a configurable 32bit RISC/DSP processor licensed from ARC Cores

Palmchip and ARC will jointly market the highly integrated SoC platform solution for portable audio applications, delivered as RTL source code with models and test benches. International Data Corp predicts the MP3 device market in the United States will grow from the estimated 1.3 million units shipped in 2000 to 6.7 million in 2003.

This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 14 March 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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Low power and data compression requirements make it an ideal target market for embedded solutions.

The combination of ARC's processor and MP3 software with Palmchip's integration architecture is well suited for low-power audio devices.

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It includes DMA support for peripheral interfaces to buffer memory for reduced firmware requirements, and power management for low-power operation.

It integrates ARC's RISC processor with 8Kbyte of CPU SRAM.

The memory controller supports up to 4Mbyte of external memory or memory-mapped ports.

A second UART provides a debug communication port.

As Palmchip's PalmPak platform features preverified and pre-integrated IP, the SoC development time, compared with traditional cell-based methods, can be reduced by up to four months.

"Adding ARC's processor to an application-targeted PalmPak SOC development platform provides designers with a highly integrated and flexible solution for portable audio device applications", said Melissa Jones, vice president of marketing, Palmchip Corporation.

"Our hardware platform allows the customer to select software from a source of their choice and move quickly into silicon".

Jones added, "An important advantage to a platform-based design with a configurable processor is that designers will be able to comply easily with changing requirements in the market, such as products specifications that evolve within the Secure Digital Music Initiative".

"Palmchip offers a highly competitive plug-and-play SoC solution", said Jim Turley, senior vice president of technology, ARC.

"Our partnership with Palmchip demonstrates our continued commitment to developing strategic alliances with innovative companies so we can provide our customers with a broad range of leading-edge SoC solutions".

and memory controllers.