Sondrel integrates Arm security in quad-core IP
A quad-core IP platform, the SFA 200, can be used for ASIC in remote gathering and processing of video and data at the edge. In addition it has secure onwards transmission of results, says Sondrel. The resulting, single channel ASICs can be arrayed to form scalable processing. Additional features can be added to meet specifications in smart metering, smart homes, smart factories, voice-controlled devices and infotainment.
Each ASIC is based on a CPU cluster for general purpose tasks and an AI cluster for neural network tasks with supporting memory and interfaces. The CPU cluster of nominally four Arm CPU cores, provides processing by using either an Arm A53 or A55 with 9 to 10 GMIPS at 1GHz nominal. The neural net cluster is based on either Arm’s Ethos cores or DSP-AI cores providing nominally 4TOPS performance. Alternatively, custom AI cores can be integrated if required.
The chip design has a composable network on chip (NoC) system fabric, multi-path, multi-width (64 to 512bit) data path at a nominal 800MHz. The system management subsystem (SMS) manages the configuration, start-up (boot) and operation modes of the SoC and there is active power management for low or battery powered applications.
The integral security subsystem uses either an Arm A53 or M33, as the application demands, to provide activity / intrusion monitoring, software signing and crypto, and authentication to resist hacking, which is enhanced by watchman behaviour tracking and deviation detection.
Customers can add their own or application-specific, off the shelf IP to create the final ASIC. This provides a low risk, faster time to market that can reduce design costs by up to 30 per cent, said Sondrel. To further reduce risk and time to market, Sondrel offers a full turnkey service that turns designs into fully tested, shipping silicon.
Founded in 2002, Sondrel acts a partner for customers, handling every stage of an IC’s creation. The define and design ASIC consulting capability offers turnkey services to transform designs into tested, volume-packaged silicon chips.
Headquartered in the UK, Sondrel supports customers around the world via its offices in China, India, Morocco and North America.
