Econa ARM-Based Processors Are Energy Efficient

Cavium's energy efficient Econa CNS3XXX ARM-based SoC processors are now available from Ismosys. The single- and dual-core ARM SoC processors are said to enable high performance, while reducing power and cost for next-generation gateways, storage and consumer electronics devices. The integrated Econa CNS3XXX processors are said to feature a rich set of integrated hardware accelerators and a range of I/Os for glueless voice, video and data connectivity.

Power-management techniques enable the devices to deliver low-power operation starting at less than 1W. The devices target applications including FTTH broadband gateways, network attached storage appliances, multimedia picture frames, media and print servers, IP cameras and wireless access points. At the heart of the Econa CNS3XXX devices is an integrated power-management unit that enables a total of six different power-saving modes during operation, including: wake-on-LAN support; dynamic control of CPU power-per-core; and automatic shutdown of non-operational logic.

On-chip voltage regulators enhance the effectiveness of this PMU, enabling power consumption figures ranging from less than 1W for the single-core version to less than 2.5W for the highest-end dual-core version. Devices in the Cavium Econa CNS3XXX family are built around high-performance ARM11 MPcore processors and caches including Superscalar, ARM11 MPcore processors operating at up to 700MHz, each with 32KB I-cache, 32KB D-cache and a large 256KB L2 cache to provide more than 1,400 Dhrystone MIPS (DMIPS). Each ARM11 MPcore processor comes with instruction set extensions for digital signal processing (DSP) and media processing, and integrates a vector floating point unit (VFP) and memory management unit (MMU).

The cores also incorporate ARM's Jazelle technology, which enhances the performance of Java applets running on the CNS3XXX family. The high-performance cores combined with large caches deliver non-blocking, wire-speed performance for voice, video and data applications. DSP extensions on the ARM11 MPcore processors drive enhanced voice applications including support for wideband codecs, DECT and advanced call-control features such as conferencing.

Additional features of the SoC processors include: advanced acceleration engines, which include a packet switch for wire-speed switching; hardware-based NAT and QoS engine; TCP offload; packet processing engine (PPE) for wire-speed packet processing; content inspection engine for L7 application processing and filtering, Raid 5/6 XOR engine, 2D graphics engine with an integrated LCD controller, and a security engine for high-performance IPSec, SSL, intrusion prevention and anti-virus processing. The devices also support acceleration for the popular standards-compliant video codecs.

High-bandwidth, low-latency integrated memory, system and networking interfaces provided by the Econa CNS3XXX family include: intelligent x16/x32-bit, 800MHz DDR2 memory controller; three Ethernet MAC interfaces supporting RGMII/GMII/MII, Dual USB2.0/SATA2/PCIe - all with integrated PHYs; TDM/PCM LCD interface; SDIO camera interface and system interfaces including GPIO, SPI, UART, I2S and I2C. The Econa CNS3XXX software development kit (SDK) builds upon Cavium's existing Octeon and Octeon Plus SDK and includes: Linux SMP; GNU Toolchain; Simple Executive for fast path applications; performance tools; simulator; feature rich APIs for hardware acceleration; and reference applications.

MPS 32 Tool Changer Adds 40mm To Robot Arm

The MPS 32 from Staubli's connectors division provides efficient and secure tool changes for all types of robot arms, reducing the need for investment in additional robots. Its compact size minimises any loss of daylight and adds 40mm to the robot arm. Increasing the utilisation and productivity of automated manufacturing cells frequently requires several operations to be completed by robots, all within the production cycle time.

The end of arm tools required during the cycle can range from drilling or grinding heads to grippers or gauges. Additional operations usually require additional robots; but with the facility to quickly and automatically change the tools on a robot arm, the need for a second or even third robot is eliminated, reducing the capital investment required, improving payback and often reducing the overall cell footprint. Staubli's range of automatic tool changers are specifically designed for these types of applications and the introduction of the MPS 32 extends their benefits to installations using smaller, lighter-weight tooling in compact cells.

All are directly mountable on the robot flange and provide secure locking and unlocking. Staubli's tool changers now extend from 32kg right up to 630kg tool-weight capability and in many applications have performed successfully for more than one million connection cycles. The MPS 32 is a compact unit, measuring 63mm diameter and 40mm wide, and both robot-side and tool-side elements together weigh only 0.7kg. It can handle payloads up to 32kg, operating within a pressure range of 4.5-10.0 bar.

The locking unit is a double active, pneumatically actuated system that ensures secure retention of the tool; additional internal springs make certain that the tool is securely held by the changer even if the pressure drops. All systems required by the tools are connected automatically, employing the technology used in Staubli multi-coupling plates; fluid lines; signal connections such as required for actuators, sensors, bus systems or fibre optics; and power connections are automatically connected to the tool and disconnected without any loss of fluid or ingress of air into the circuits.