Bath, UK-based picoChip is planning to combine its next-generation picoArray flexible productrs with ARM processor technology to create an unprecedented single-chip, software-defined solution for advanced wireless systems. Combining ARM processor technology and picoChip’s fully programmable signal processing array in an advanced 90-nm device significantly reduces the cost of WiMAX deployment without compromising the flexibility essential for standards compliance and system performance enhancement, said picoChip.

The new, cost-effective solution will enable carriers to build out their infrastructure based on the current 802.16d WiMAX standard and quickly upgrade their equipment to support mobility once the new 802.16e standard is complete. WiMAX implementations are power-intensive and currently require increasing numbers of DSP or FPGA devices with a consequent escalation of costs. With the ARM-powered picoChip offering, carriers will be able to bring mobile WiMAX services online in the shortest time frame possible. This will enable customers to maximize the benefit from the WiMAX standard with ubiquitous broadband Internet access and enhanced mobile multimedia services.

“The picoChip architecture delivers the most cost-effective way of implementing a flexible solution for any wireless system, with significantly better cost and power than legacy multiple combined DSP and FPGA offerings. As we broaden the portfolio of picoArray products, we required a single-chip, cost-optimized 90nm offering for our high-volume customers,” said Guillaume d’Eyssautier, CEO and president, picoChip. “To integrate the control and media access controller (MAC) functions, we chose the 90 nm synthesizable ARM processor because its area and power efficiency will enable us to continue our price and power leadership.”

“The ARM architecture is widely used and respected throughout the WiMAX value chain,” said Mike Inglis, executive vice president, marketing, ARM. “By incorporating the ARM926EJ-S processor in their next-generation solutions, picoChip is not only providing their customers with a lower cost, bill of materials (BOM) solution, but also a standardized software development platform for a fast path to WiMAX certification and productization.”