BA2x 32-bit Processor IP Cores Family
These BA22 and BA25 processor cores are silicon-proven, royalty-free, easy to program, and technically competitive with traditional 32-bit processor choices.
Their BA2™ instruction set architecture yields extremely dense code, reducing memory and cache sizes, enabling fewer operations and more sleep, and cutting system-level energy consumption.
Various preconfigured versions bundle features and peripherals to target deeply embedded systems through application processors running Android or Linux.
All include the BeyondStudio™ IDE for quick programming, and reference designs, evaluation systems, and integration services are available.
BA2x 32-bit Microprocessor IP Cores
A family of processors that implement the BA2 ISA on an efficient 32-bit architecture, offering:
- Extreme Code Density
- High Performance
- System-wide Energy Efficiency
A range of preconfigured versions, with:
- Controller-like bundles of functions and peripherals
- Ready for systems from deeply embedded through advanced application processors
A mature, silicon-proven, reusable IP product, providing:
- Rapid development, with a complete ecosystem
- Easy integration, with configuration options, a customizable platform, and available integration services
- Better business terms, including royalty-free licensing
Key Stats
Up to 1.69 DMIPS/MHz
Up to 800 MHz
Up to 2.44 Coremarks/MHz
Power usage from 0.02 mW/MHz
Area from 15k gates
Code density best in class
Figures are for TSMC 65nm LP.
BA25 reaches 800 MHz; BA22 reaches 400 MHz.
Coremarks run on BA22-DE with no caches or MMUs.
Area typical for BA22-DE; see individual core pages for more sample implementation results.
Sourced from processor experts
Beyond Semiconductor
BA2x Versions Preconfigured for Various Types of Systems
BA25 Advanced Application Processor
For demanding systems needing higher speed and more sophisticated processing to run full applications on general-purpose operating systems such as Linux and Android
BA22-AP Basic Application Processor
For embedded systems using off-chip instruction and data memories and running an RTOS or a general-purpose OS such as Linux or Android.
BA22-EM Embedded Processor
For deeply embedded systems using off-chip instruction and data memories and possibly running an RTOS.
BA22-DE Deeply Embedded Processor
For deeply embedded systems using on-chip instruction and data memories.
Additional peripherals may be ordered for integration and delivery with each BA22 core, individually or in a complete BA22 Platform.
BA2 Instruction Set Architecture
Innovative ISA combines RISC and non-RISC techniques:
- Multiple-length instruction coding: 16, 24, 32 or
48 bits - Powerful flow control & arithmetic 32 GPRs vs. 16 typical
- DSP & Floating-Point extensions
Extreme code density reduces system-wide energy consumption:
- Smaller memories & caches
- More code in caches vs. power-hungry memory
- Fewer instructions and more sleep
All supported with development tools including a GCC/Eclipse IDE, libraries, architectural simulator, and reference design/eval system boards.
BA2 outperforms other ISAs in CSiBe Benchmark
BA2 code size reduction example: Flow Control
Cost-Effective and Royalty-Free
An investment in a BA2x processor core pays for itself many times over by shrinking development time and allowing designers to focus on other competitive differentiators.
CAST’s time-tested licensing offers project-based, royalty-free terms, meaning developers pay a fixed, known amount for each core, regardless of production volume or product lifetime.
We also encourage you to try the processor before you commit, with ready-to-run evaluation systems.
Click or call Sales (+1 800-201-8300) to discuss pricing and how BA2X licensing might benefit your next project.
Already in production, down to 40nm.
"We went from licensing the BA22 processor [to] tape-out in just 5 months," said Ram Rangarajan, VP of Imaging Products at inSilica. "... Despite our stringent requirements, integration and software development was straightforward. "
inSilica Announces Tape-Out of Its Next Generation Camera Processor With BA22 Embedded RISC processor, Dec. 10, 2009
Sample Customer Applications
Zigbee , Bluetooth, Wireless,
Software Defined Radio
Projectors, Audio Equipment, Storage Devices
Packet processing, Networking,
Information Security
Web, Security/Surveillance & Industrial Cameras
Mobile Phone ISP, GPS
Microcontrollers for Aerospace & Automotive
Set Top Box, TV/Display, DVB/Digital Television Receiver, SW Video Compression
Software Development for BA2x Processors
Free BeyondStudio™ IDE for easy programming:
- Eclipse-based integrated development environment
- Extended GNU C/C++ tools: GCC &GDB
- Ported C libraries Popular configurations ready for quick start
- JTAG debugging
Support for popular general-purpose and real-time (RTOS) operating systems
- Android,
- Linux,
- eCOS,
- FreeRTOS, more.
Cycle-accurate Instruction Set Simulator (ISS).
Compete Platform and reference design systems for evaluation or a quick start to development.
More Info
CAST Articles
- Webinar - CPU Subsystem Total Power Consumption: Understanding the Factors and Selecting the Best IP
- Power Time - GSA Blog Post & CAST Webinar
- Consider Code Density when Choosing Embedded Processors
- CAST Presentation at DAC 2012 Chip Estimate Theater
- Leapfrogging The Competition Through Smart IP Selection
- Seminar: System Design with 32-bit BA22 Processor IP
- Lauterbach and Beyond Semiconductor Partner for Easier System Development with BA22 Royalty Free 32-bit Processors
- Ron Wilson covers CAST BA22 32-bit Processors at EE Times
Webinar
CPU Subsystem Total Power Consumption:
Understanding the Factors and Selecting the Best IP, Dec. 12 & 13, 2012. View the recording >
Seminar
System Design with 32-bit BA22 Processor IP, February 2012. Read more and view the slides >
Recent News
Comparing BA2x Family Processor Cores
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