Chip giant STMicroelectronics and Beijing, China-based Institute of Computing Technology (ICT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences today gave details on their cooperation for the development and commercial exploitation of Loongson-2E IP-based processors developed by ICT.
The first-generation product, Loongson 2E, is now sampling with select customers, and is meant to provide high-performance with optimized power consumption at a compelling price point, the companies noted.
The cooperation between ICT and ST began in 2004 in the framework of the France-China Technology Cooperation, under which ICT is responsible for the architecture and the design of the processors, while ST supplies the technology process, manufacturing and sales.
ICT and ST say they will jointly promote the processors into the Chinese market, and also under the present license agreement, ICT grants the rights to manufacture and sell worldwide the processors developed within the cooperation for five years to ST.
“ICT is not only focused on the research and development of core technology, but also on the commercial licensing of its IPs. The licensing by a foreign company of the Loongson 2E IP proves that ICT has successfully placed China on the world's technology competitive stage. Through the cooperation with ST, the commercialization of this technology is shortened with great market potential,” noted Dr Li Guo Jie, director of ICT, in a statement.
Gian Luca Bertino, general manager for the computer peripherals group and corporate VP at ST added, “ST is very proud to cooperate with ICT, the most advanced R&D center for computer design in China. This joint effort combines ICT's outstanding capabilities in advanced processor design with ST's leading-edge technology and world-class manufacturing machine. The Loongson family of processors delivers impressive performance and low power for a variety of applications.”
The Loongson processors will be based on advanced superscalar 64-bit architecture that is compatible with MIPS64 architecture from MIPS Technology Inc.
ST has acquired a full license to the MIPS64 architecture as part of the Loongson program, MIPS and ST confirmed separately.
Other MIPS64 architecture licensees included Broadcom, Cavium Networks, Raza Microelectronics, NEC Electronics, Sony and Toshiba, MIPS noted.
In other ST news, the company also reported today that it has signed an agreement with the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS to jointly develop a dedicated low-power ASIC for digital radio mondiale applications such as fixed and portable radios, car receivers, software receivers, and personal digital assistants.
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