New IBM chip offers low cost solution for network computers

Fishkill, NY, March 3, 1997

The 403GCX enables designers to build price competitive, high-performance products with quick time-to-market. The chip combines the advantages of low-power, integrated system peripherals, and software compatible with all PowerPC processors In addition, the 403GCX is pin-compatible with IBM's previously announced 403GC, making it ideal for existing 403GC users looking to double performance. Available in two speeds, 50 MHz and 66 MHz, the 403GCX is priced at $37 and $44.50 respectively in 10,000 unit quantities.

"The performance and capabilities of the PowerPC 403GCX make it perfectly suited for the expanding NC market," said Doug Klein, senior vice president, technology, Network Computing Devices, Mountain View, Calif. "We have more than 25,000 Explora network computers in customer sites, all equipped with IBM's PowerPC 400 series controllers. NCD looks forward to extending its network computer family with the 403GCX."

"IBM's PowerPC embedded technology is an important component of our Total Control Enterprise Network Hub and helps us to deliver a superior level of performance to our customers," said Walter Mahla in U.S. Robotics Network Systems Division for Enterprise Access Systems Products. "The new PowerPC 403GCX is a natural choice for us."

Also today, IBM announced price reductions for its entire family of 400 Series of PowerPC embedded controllers, as well as 40 MHz versions of its 403GA and 403GC microcontrollers. The price reduction averages 20 percent and affects the 403GA, 403GB, 403GC, and 401GF controllers. The 40 MHz 403GA and 403GC are available immediately.

Technical Information

The 403GCX delivers a performance benchmark of 143 Kdhrystones/second at 66 MHz and is supported by two-way set associative 16K instruction and 8K data caches. In addition, the chip includes an memory management unit (MMU), four-channel DMA controller, RAM controller, I/O controller, serial port, multi-level interrupt controller, multiple timer facilities, and a programmable bus interface. The 403GCX is packaged in a 160-pin plastic Quad Flat Pack (PQFP) and dissipates 0.42 watts of power at 66 MHz.

The 403GCX is supported by the IBM PowerPC Embedded Tools Program that includes more than 70 third-party vendors, which provide a wide variety of products including emulators, logic analyzers, evaluation boards, real-time operating systems, compilers and debuggers. In addition, IBM offers the PowerPC Application Specific Solutions (PASS) Program, which brings together reference boards and application-specific software from IBM and third party vendors. PASS targets emerging embedded markets and is designed to reduce the time-to-market for customers developing systems based on embedded PowerPC products from IBM.

In addition, IBM offers a complete set of development tools for all of its embedded PowerPC devices, including evaluation kits, the High C/C++ ^tm Compiler, the RISCWatch debugger and the OS Open real-time operating system.

Pricing is current as of March 3, 1997 and is subject to change without notice.

Readers interested in additional information on IBM Microelectronics' PowerPC offerings should call the IBM Microelectronics Fax Service at (415) 855-4121.

IBM Microelectronics, PowerPC, PowerPC Application Specific Solutions, RISCWatch and OS Open are trademarks or registered trademarks of the International Business Machines Corporation.

High C/C++ is a trademark of MetaWare Incorporated.

All other names or products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.