PowerPC 440 Processor Block

Build area-efficient, high-performance embedded systems

The innovative Virtex™-5 FXT platform offers the first FPGAs to provide up to two industry-standard PowerPC® 440 processors with 32-bit RISC cores, each in its own embedded peripheral block.

At a glance

• 1,100 DMIPS @ 550MHz processor; achieve 2,200 DMIPS using a single FPGA with two processors
• New 5 x 2, 128-bit crossbar switch minimizes latency and enables point-to-point connectivity
• Simultaneous memory bus and Processor Local Bus (PLB) access maximizes throughput
• Integrated DMA channels, PLB interfaces, and dedicated memory interface minimize logic utilization
• Auxiliary Processor Unit (APU) controller makes it easy to integrate hardware accelerators

Figure 1

PowerPC 440 processor embedded block.

In depth

Combine high-speed logic with software flexibility

• Customize embedded system designs to your requirements
• Design system-on-chip functionality with real-time processing capabilities using built-in PowerPC 440 processor blocks
• Implement control functions efficiently in all Virtex-5 FPGAs using MicroBlaze™ soft processors

Achieve highest throughput

• Get non-blocking pipelined point-to-point access to TEMAC, PCIe blocks, and FPGA logic
• Offload PLB with a dedicated memory interface port that provides up to 128-bit data transfer per cycle
• Maximize data transfer rates with highly pipelined transmit and receive scatter-gather DMA channels
• Optimize system performance through user selectable port prioritization and operating frequencies

Accelerate system performance

• Offload CPU-intensive operations such as video processing, 3D data processing, and floating-point math
• Create custom co-processors in the FPGA logic with the APU controller
• Optimize hardware/software partitioning to maximize FPGA utilization and minimize hardware cost
• Implement double/single-precision arithmetic operations using IEEE 754-compatible Floating Point Unit option

Streamline embedded development and empower innovation

• Accelerate processing design with the award winning Platform Studio tool suite
• Increase productivity with design wizards, customizable IP, and integrated HW/SW kits
• Simplify system-level debug using Eclipse SDK and ChipScope™ Pro Integrated Bus Analyzer
• Leverage broad ecosystem support from industry leaders in real-time O/S, design, debug, and trace technologies
• Provide your team with expert advice and training at the most critical project stage with QuickStart! for Embedded designs

Figure 2

PowerPC 440 processor system design example.