DesignArt Networks Picks Tensilica Xtensa LX2 Configurable for WiMAX Baseband Chip

Tensilica®, Inc. today announced that DesignArt Networks, of Ra'anana Israel, has decided to use multiple Xtensa® LX2 configurable processor cores to speed product development and reduce risk to their WiMAX wireless baseband chip design. Multiple Xtensa LX2 cores are used in PHY and MAC layers of DesignArt's SOC platform, where some are replacing RTL state machines with high performance software, and some have been configured as custom DSP engines, handling high-speed signal processing functions.


"By using Tensilica's Xtensa LX2 configurable processors in our SOC, we took our platform to a higher level of flexibility, and we are able to bring a highly configurable silicon platform to our customers. The benefits are clear -- better ability of tracking customer requirements and standards evolution, as well as an in-field software upgradeable network infrastructure," stated Oz Barak, CEO, DesignArt Networks. "In the PHY, the powerful Xtensa LX2 DSP core enables the implementation of various MIMO receiver configurations. In the MAC layer, the Xtensa LX2 processors are the engine of the embedded high packet rate network processor, forming a highly-configurable design to track the future 802.16e standard evolution, as well as the emerging 802.16j standard. The robustness and sophistication of the Xtensa toolset allowed us to have packets traversing an RTL simulation on day 2 of the development effort. Today, these multi-core subsystems are up and running on the FPGA boards in our integration labs, with several months of testing already completed."

"The wireless infrastructure market is the focus of significant investment and opportunity right now, and DesignArt Networks has an aggressive plan to be a leader in that market," stated Steve Roddy, Tensilica's vice president of marketing. "By taking advantage of the unique features of our Xtensa LX2 processor, and by using multiple cores instead of dedicated hardwired logic blocks, DesignArt Networks can rapidly deliver product into this fast moving market and simultaneously engineer an area-efficient, low-power solution."

About DesignArt Networks

DesignArt Networks Ltd. is a fabless semiconductor company driving the evolution of the 4G wireless network infrastructure, towards high density, high-capacity deployments with ubiquitous and uniform out- and indoor coverage. DesignArt provides a comprehensive WiMAX SoC silicon platform, with the goal to substantially lower the cost of the WiMAX network infrastructure. Based on DesignArt's patented single-chip design architecture, this SOC platform enables equipment vendors to build a portfolio of base and relay stations, ranging from micro, pico to femto cell and multi-service access point designs. DesignArt combines an experienced management team with strong technology leadership, and holds a unique combination of expertise and intellectual property. For more information about DesignArt Networks, please visit www.designartnetworks.com.

About Tensilica

Tensilica, Inc., is the recognized leader in configurable processor technology and has leveraged that technology to become the leading supplier of licensable controllers and DSP cores for mobile audio and video applications. Tensilica offers the broadest line of controller, CPU, network, and specialty DSP processors on the market today -- including full software toolchain and modeling support -- in both an off-the-shelf format via the Diamond Standard Series cores and with full designer configurability with the Xtensa processor family. The modern design behind all of Tensilica's processor cores provide semiconductor companies and system OEMs with the lowest power, smallest area solutions for high-volume products including mobile phones and other consumer electronics, networking and telecommunications equipment, and computer peripherals. For more information on Tensilica's patented, benchmark-proven processors, visit www.tensilica.com.

Editors' Notes:

* Tensilica and Xtensa are registered trademarks belonging to Tensilica Inc. All other company and product names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
* Tensilica's announced licensees include Afa Technologies, ALPS, AMCC (JNI Corporation), Aquantia, Astute Networks, Atheros, ATI (AMD), Avago Technologies, Avision, Bay Microsystems, Berkeley Wireless Research Center, Broadcom, Cisco Systems, CMC Microsystems, Conexant Systems, Cypress, Crimson Microsystems, DesignArt Networks, EE Solutions, Enuclia, ETRI, FUJIFILM Microdevices, Fujitsu Ltd., Hudson Soft, Hughes Network Systems, iBiquity Digital, Ikanos Communications, LG Electronics, Lucid Information Technology, Marvell, MediaWorks, NEC Laboratories America, NEC Corporation, NetEffect, Neterion, Nethra Imaging, Nippon Telephone and Telegraph (NTT), NuFront, NVIDIA, Olympus Optical Co. Ltd., Penstar, Plato Networks, PnpNetwork Technologies, sci-worx, Seiko Epson, Solid State Systems, Sony, STMicroelectronics, Stretch, TranSwitch Corporation, u-Nav Microelectronics, Victor Company of Japan (JVC), WiQuest

Communications, and XM Radio.


Contact:

Tensilica, Inc.
Paula Jones, 408-327-7343 (Press)
paula@tensilica.com
or
for Tensilica
Erika Powelson, 831-424-1811 (Press)
erika@powelsoninc.com

Source: Tensilica, Inc.