Application for the new 32-bit XAP6 Processor

Client: Cambridge Consultants

Contact: Alistair Morfey <alistair.morfey@cambridgeconsultants.com>

This project needs a clearer target market before proceeding

There are now over 2 billion XAP embedded processors in silicon. These are all 16-bit devices. We are about to release a 32-bit XAP6 IP core. It is implemented in Verilog RTL and has a GNU software toolkit (GCC, Binutils) that connects to our xIDE debugger tool (can control a hardware target or instruction-level simulator). We have implemented the XAP6 in hardware on our xEMU mini PCB (that includes a Xilinx Spartan FPGA). The board also contains LCD, buttons, buzzer, Ethernet, RS232, ADC, DAC, 84 IO signals (in two 50-pin connectors) and our SIF debug interface (connects to PC with USB). We want to have interesting applications developed for this platform. Students can chose whatever they like. We simply want things that demonstrate the technology well. This is a good way to see the insides of a processor and gain a deep understanding of how the hardware world joins up with the software world. Alan Mycroft will be interested in this !

initial feedback

We have often had applications for new single-board devices, often with some kind of FPGA or other specialist functionality. We'd usually try to steer toward a specific market or application area that suits the strengths of the particular board. What do you see as the main technical strengths or market appeal of the dev board you'd like to use?

The goal here is to come up with some kind of business opportunity, application or benefit proposition. I may have missed something, but at present this one seems pretty much like "Here's a computer - what would you like to do with it?"