CPU Technology Inc. has introduced a new class of semiconductor devices called field programmable multicore chips (FPMCs). This new generation of programmable semiconductor devices combines the flexibility of FPGAs with the speed and capacity of ASICs. In collaboration with IBM, CPU Tech is integrating multiple PowerPC cores into its Acalis product family. Acalis devices facilitate the migration of microprocessor-based systems to multi-core computing, while uniquely preserving the investment in existing software. The collaboration also ensures on-shore fabrication of the new devices using an IBM foundry.

The Acalis family is applicable to a broad range of general-purpose and embedded computing systems. Customers can exploit the functionality, performance and compatibility characteristics of a single FPMC across multiple product lines.

"Size, power and throughput limitations associated with microprocessors are driving the adoption of multicore computing," said Edward King, CPU Tech's CEO. "SoC technology can effectively solve these problems.

However, transition to the multicore era presents the additional challenge of software compatibility. Acalis, the world's first FPMC product line, can execute directly unmodified legacy application software together with IBM PowerPC multicore software on a single chip device."

Combining CPU Tech's experience and IP with IBM's PowerPC technology will provide customers with a programmable, high-performance, SoC solution capable of helping customers modernize legacy systems into leading-edge systems.