IBM SOCs it to ’em with high performance chip

Big Blue claimed it has created the highest performance throughput microprocessor system on a chip (SOC) device aimed at the comms, storage, consumer, defense and aerospace markets.

The PowerPC 476FP processor core is a joint development with LSI Logic and will be used in next gen multicore networking applications.

The PowerPC 476FP has clock speeds exceeding 1.6GHz and 2.5 Dhrystone MIPS per MHz. That’s twice the performance of IBM’s fastest current embedded core. IBM says it’s the highest performing processor available in the industry.

What’s it going to be used for? Big Blue says it will be used for 4G networks and WiMAX infrastructure products and uses 45 nanometer tech dissipating only 1.6 watts. It’s an extension of IBM’s CoreConnect local bus technology.

LSI designed a configurable level two memory cache with three options – 256K, 512K and 1MB.

Designs will start using the Power Architecture compatible chip in October this year, and by the end of next year there will be a synthesizable version.