New 4-core device backed by comprehensive free design tools gives designers quick and easy access to the deterministic power of xCORE
XMOS unveiled the world's lowest cost multicore microcontroller. The xCORE XS1-L4-64 integrates four 32-bit logical processor cores at a price that is comparable with competing single-core devices. Priced at just $2.95 in 100 unit quantities, the L4 provides an entry-level platform for designers considering multicore technology for the first time; and it is pin-compatible with other members of the xCORE family, opening up the opportunity to cost-down existing designs.
"The xCORE L4 offers 400MIPS performance at the price point of other manufacturers' 40 or 50MIPS products," said Ali Dixon, Director of Product Marketing and co-founder, XMOS. "Embedded designers working on high-volume applications can now add more features, including those that require real-time determinism, with software that is functionally safe. We believe it's a real game-changer."
The new L4 is the lowest-cost product in the expanding xCORE family of multicore microcontrollers, all with the unique Hardware-Response™ features that guarantee the industry's lowest latency, and reaction times 100x faster than other microcontrollers. Because xCORE devices are supported with a fully-featured software design environment, developers can use these unique features to build application software that is completely timing deterministic and functionally safe.
The new device is ideal for accurate stepper motor control, industrial networking and motion control. With 64-bit precision DSP capability, it is also particularly well suited for signal conditioning tasks and applications such as control that combine cost-sensitivity with high performance demands. The xCORE L4 will also help drive the growing trend towards distributed intelligence in embedded design, by allowing developers to locate low-cost processing and communications closer to system nodes such as sensors and actuators.
"The L4 breaks new ground by combining low unit cost, real-time deterministic execution, multicore performance, on-chip DSP and the industry's fastest response times," said Nigel Toon, President and CEO, XMOS. "At 400 MIPS it offers a price/performance ratio unbeaten in the world of C-programmable embedded devices. Just as importantly we provide the design tools engineers need to harness this performance – making the move to multicore technology an instinctive and natural experience."
The XS1-L4-64 comes in a 48-pin package that is pin-compatible with the existing 6-core L6-64 and the 8-core L8-64 xCORE devices, allowing designers to take a platform-based approach that permits early implementation of emerging technologies and standards, future-proofing and the addition of new features as requirements evolve. The device continues the XMOS strategy of offering a range of devices at a variety of price points: the xCORE family now includes more than 50 product variants.
Like the rest of the xCORE family, the L4 is supported with the free-to-download xTIMEcomposer development suite that includes compilers, debuggers, and unique timing analysis and instrumentation capabilities. The supporting xSOFTip library of soft peripherals and processing blocks is now more extensive than ever, allowing customers to equip their xCORE device with peripherals such as high speed USB, Ethernet, CAN and LIN – all via software. Embedded design engineers can find out in the space of a few minutes how easy it is to switch to a multicore microcontroller by visiting www.xmos.com/downloads and simply downloading the xTIMEcomposer Suite.
Samples of the XS1-L4-64 are available today, with volume production expected in Q2 2013.
