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Diamond Standard Processors -
Beats the Competition Every Way

See Microprocessor Report's Write-up on Diamond Processors

Smaller, Lower Power, Higher Performance

No matter how you look at it, Tensilica's Diamond Standard processor family is smaller, lower power, and higher performance than the equivalent competitive embedded processor. Check out the results for these Diamond Standard processors:

Competitive measurement conditions:

Specification Tensilica ARM
Power Consumption

Process - 0.13u G TSMC
Library - Sage-X
VDD - typical
Processor Load - Dhrystone loop
Frequency - 50MHz

Process - 0.13u G TSMC
Library - Sage-X/HS
VDD - typical
Processor Load - Dhrystone loop
Frequency - not maximum
Maximum Frequency
Process - 0.13u G TSMC
Library - Sage-HS
Wire-load model - Yes
Worst case conditions - Yes
Process - 0.13u G TSMC
Library - Sage-X/HS
Wire-load model - ?
Worst case conditions - Yes
Core Area
Library - Sage X
Frequency - 50MHz
Pre-layout
Library - Sage-X/HS
Frequency - not maximum
Pre-layout

Data on ARM products taken from ARM public web site and product information flyers, Feb. 2007 for TSMC 0.13G process.

Diamond Standard core data is subject to change. All speed, power, and are metrics are subject to variation based upon user's design tools, libraries, and fab choices.

Diamond Architecture - More Modern, More Efficient

The Diamond Standard processor core family is based on the Xtensa processor architecture, proven in millions of shipping products. Because it was developed in the late 1990s, it is more efficient than many older competitive architectures. The 24/16-bit instruction set architecture gives a 30% smaller code size than ARM and 50% smaller than MIPS at the same performance level, as shown below.

Tensilica's Xtensa architecture is much more efficient and results in smaller code size than ARM and MIPS.
(click here for larger version)

For more information on the Xtensa architecture, see our Xtensa Products section.

Diamond 106Micro Beats ARM Processors - the Best Mix of Performance and Low Power
ARM 7TDMI Diamond 106Micro Cortex M3 ARM 968E-S
Max Frequency (0.13u G)
150 MHz 250 MHz 135 MHz 270 MHz
Dhrystone MIPS
142 305 169 289
Pipeline
3-stage 5-stage 3-stage 5-stage
Local Memories
Single data/ instruction interface Separate instruction and data memories (TCMs) No local memories (TCMs) Separate instruction and data memories (TCMs)
Power (mW/MHz) pre-layout (0.13G)
0.17 0.07 0.12 0.11
Area and power for all cores includes system bus and interrupt controller. 106Micro area includes trace port, instruction and data watch-point registers, which are not included in ARM7 and Cortex M3 area.

The Diamond 106Micro is Smaller and Faster than Popular ARM Cores

Diamond 108Mini Offers Higher Performance and More Features than ARM968
Diamond 108Mini
ARM 968E
Max Frequency (0.13u G) worst case conditions (Sage-HS library, speed optimized)
250 MHz 240 MHz
Dhrystone MIPS
335 260
Power (mW/MHz) (0.13u G) pre-layout (Sage-X library)
0.08 0.1
Arithmetic functions
32x32 Multiplier
32-bit Divider
16x32 Multiplier
No Divider
Direct interfaces
Two 32-bit GPIO ports No direct interfaces
Interrupts and timers
Integrated interrupt controller (22) & timers (3) Does not include interrupt controller & timers

Diamond 212GP Provides Better Performance than ARM9
with Lower Power and Smaller Area
 
ARM 946E-S
Diamond 212GP
Max Frequency (0.13u G) worst case conditions (Sage-X library, optimized for speed)
210 MHz 250 MHz
Dhrystone MIPS
231 345
Power - mW per MHz (0.13u G) (Sage-X library, optimized for area)*
0.31 0.2
Area (Sage-X library, optimized for area)
0.97 mm2 0.64 mm2
Code Density
Mode bit to switch between 32- and 16-bit instructions Modelessly switch between 24- and 16-bit instructions
Number of Interrupts
3 22 with 6 priority levels (with integrated interrupt controller)
Number of Integrated Timers
0 3
Direct Interface Ports/wires
No 32-bit input port, 32-bit output port
* Power depends on operating conditions, standard cell libraries, performance targets, and processor load. See white paper: Processor Core Power Specs: A Cautionary Tale

Diamond 232L Offers More Linux-Ready Features @ ½ the Power and Area
 
ARM 926EJ-S
Diamond 232L
AREA & PERFORMANCE 50% Smaller
Max Frequency (0.13u G) worst case, Sage-X library, optimized for speed
250 MHz 215 MHz
Dhrystone MIPS
275 288
Area - Sage-X library, optimized for area
1.45 mm2 0.78 mm2
POWER Much Lower Power
mW per MHz (0.13u G, Sage-X library, optimized for area)*
0.36 0.21
mW at same MHz
77 mW @ 215 MHz 45 mW @ 215 MHz
FEATURES More Features
Code Density
Mode bit to switch between 32- & 16-bit instructions Modelessly switch between 24- and 16-bit instructions
Arithmetic functions
16x32 Multiplier
No Divider
32x32 Multiplier
32-bit Divider
Zero-overhead Looping
No Yes
Number of Interrupts
3 (no integrated interrupt controller) 22 with 6 priority levels (with integrated interrupt controller)
Number of Integrated Timers 0 3
* Power depends on operating conditions, standard cell libraries, performance targets, and processor load. See white paper: Processor Core Power Specs: A Cautionary Tale

 

Diamond 570T Uses Smaller Die Area and 1/3 the Power of ARM 1136/1156
  ARM 1156T2-S Diamond 570T ARM 1136J-S
AREA & PERFORMANCE 1/3 the die area, much more efficient/MHz
Max Frequency (90G) Sage-HS library, optimized for speed
620 MHz 892 (EEMBC equivalent freq) (Actual=388 MHz) 620 MHz
Instruction Issue (per cycle)
1 3 1
Dhyrstone MIPS/MHz
1.20 (est.) 1.59 1.20
Area (90G, pre-layout) Sage-HS library, optimized for speed
1.75 mm2 0.62 mm2 1.8 mm2
POWER Lower power than ARM11
mW per MHz (90G)*
(Sage-HS library, optimized for speed)
0.42 0.13 0.37
mW for the Same Performance
250 mW @ 620 MHz 50 mW @ 388 MHz 229 mW @ 620 Mhz
FEATURES More Features
Instruction width
16/32 bit 16/24/64 bit 3-issue 16/32 bit
High throughput Data Queues
No Yes (input and output) No
Direct Ports/Wires
No 32 in / 32 Out No
* Power depends on operating conditions, standard cell libraries, performance targets, and processor load. See white paper: Processor Core Power Specs: A Cautionary Tale.
**EEMBC equivalent freqency - see chart below. This equates frequency based on EEMBC performance multiplier.

 

Diamond 570T Performs 2.3X BETTER than ARM1136JF-S on EEMBC Benchmarks
  ARM 1136JF-S* ARM 1026EJ-S (Certified as core) Diamond 570T
NetMARK 1.0 1.29 2.55
ConsumerMARK 1.0 1.47 2.91
OfficeMARK 1.0 1.19 1.64
TeleMARK 1.0 1.06 2.28
Geometric Mean 1.0 1.24 2.30
Results normalized on a per-MHz basis

*Results extrapolated from Freescale IMX31 device. No certified ARM1136JF-S EEMBC results have been published as of 12-31-2005.

ARM1136JF-S performance based on Freescale i.MX31 performance. Power figure for ARM per ARM’s publicly cited specifications - running at 266 MHz in 0.13 micron. Tensilica Diamond 570T running at 115MHz in 0.13 micron.

BDTI BenchmarksTM Notes:
All scores use worst-case clock speeds for the TSMC CL013G process and ARM Artisan SAGE-X library. The BDTIsimMark2000TM is a summary measure of DSP speed. See www.BDTI.com for info. Scores © 2006 BDTI.
Diamond 545CK configuration tested by BDTI: 220 MHz final layout timing under worst case conditions. 3.7 mm2 actual layout area. Leakage power 0.7mW + dynamic power 0.2 mW/MHz.

Diamond 330HiFi Power Efficiency

FEATURED INFORMATION
See "Diamond Standard Software Tool Chain" on Demos on Demand
Portable Design 2006 Editor's Choice Award
PRODUCT RESOURCES
"Tensilica's Preconfigured Cores" by Microprocessor Report
Diamond Standard Series Product Brief
Diamond Tools Product Brief
HiFi 2 Audio Engine Product Brief
Diamond VDO Product Brief
Tensilica's Diamond Standard Processor Cores - CoolBeans Write-up
Diamond Free SW Eval
WHITE PAPERS
Diamond Architecture White Paper
PRESENTATIONS
Low Cost and Low Risk 32-bit Controllers for Designing AMBA-based SOCs
QUOTABLE

“Offering the option of preconfigured cores simply makes sense...The Xtensa architecture is so flexible, and the configuration tools so versatile, that Tensilica could generate hundreds, or even thousands, of preconfigured cores to meet almost every conceivable need."

Tom Halfhill,
Microprocessor Report