Global Unichip Announces Mass-Production of Leading-Edge ARM7-Based GP5080 Series Solid Sate Disk (SSD) SoC Platform Solution

GP5080 series is a highly integrated SoC platform designed for the high-performance and lower-power consumption Solid State Disk (SSD) application. The architecture of GP5080 series has been optimized to fully utilize the maximum data transfer of NAND flash. It supports 4-channel access and each channel could operate independently to deliver excellent sequential and random Read/Write performance with Samsung, Toshiba, Hynix, Micron, and IM up-to-date SLC/MLC 2K/4K page size NAND flash. It enables SSD to become a powerful system disk when running OS and handling lots of requests for small file access. Besides, the on-chip hardware BCH-ECC engine which could correct up to 16 bit errors per 512 byte data makes SSD more reliable. GP5080 series features 32-bit ARM7 processor to improve SSD’s performance, lifetime, and reliability by providing higher computing capability for firmware such as Flash Translation Layer, Bad Block Management, Wear Leveling Algorithm, Power Fail Recycling, SMART function etc. In addition, it supports PATA and SATA2 dual interface which are most common interface for storage devices. With SDRAM interface, it supports cache function to greatly enhance write performance and extend SSD’s lifetime by reducing the Program/Erase count…

GP5080 Block Diagram
(Picture: Globalunichip)

Press Release:

GUC announces the mass-production of leading-edge ARM7-based GP5080 series Solid State Disk SoC Solution

A complete high performance lower power SSD solution targets at the storage system for booming market of ultra portable devices

Global Unichip Corporation (GUC; TW:3443), a full-service SoC design foundry and TSMC partner, announced the mass-production of its leading-edge ARM7-based GP5080 series Solid Sate Disk (SSD) SoC platform solution, targeting the storage application for the booming market of Netbook/Smartbook, thin-NB, UMPC, MID and other portable consumer electronics. Major requirements for this kind of applications are small form factor, low power consumption and durability. SSD is a good solution to provide the needed features. All these systems mentioned above are potential clients to access the ubiquitous web applications and this SSD solution is the first product of a series of upcoming Cloud Computing oriented solutions GUC intended to offer.

There are two different lineups in this series; GP5080 is optimized for cost sensitive applications by removing the need for external DRAM cache, while GP5086 supports DRAM cache for applications in need for extra extended lifetime. The complete GP5080 design kit includes SoC samples, evaluation board, reference design. With GP5080 series solution, SSD makers or system providers can provide quality products for customers with substantially reduced development cost and time-to-market.

GP5080 series solution is a highly integrated SSD SoC, based on advanced 90nm process technology. Its architecture has been optimized to fully utilize the maximum data transfer of NAND flash with minimum operating power. The 4 independent flash channels deliver excellent sequential and random Read/Write performance and support all major vendors’ SLC/MLC NAND flash devices. The SSD reliability is guaranteed by the on-chip hardware BCH-ECC engine which can correct up to 16 bit errors per 512 byte data. The featured 32-bit ARM7 processor will provide high computing capability for advanced SSD management firmware such as Flash Translation Layer, Bad Block Management, Wear Leveling Algorithm, Power Fail Recycling, SMART function, Disk Recovery/ROM Disk, etc. In addition, it supports PATA and SATA2 dual interface to provide extra flexibility and wide temperature range from -40oC to 85oC for industry-grade applications.

Global Unichip Corp will exhibit GP5080 SoC platform and reference SSD solutions at Shenzhen CPSE 2009 Surveillance Show. Additional product information for GP5080 series SoC Platform is available at http://www.globalunichip.com/4-10.php

About GUC
Global Unichip Corp. (GUC), a dedicated full service SoC (System On Chip) Design Foundry based in Taiwan, was founded in 1998. GUC is now publicly traded on the Taiwan Stock Exchange under the symbol 3443. GUC provides total solutions from silicon-proven IPs to complex time-to-market SoC turnkey services. GUC is committed to providing the most advanced and the best price-performance silicon solutions through close partnership with TSMC, GUC’s major shareholder, and other key packaging and testing power houses. With state of the art EDA tools, advanced methodologies, and experienced technical team, GUC ensures the highest quality and lowest risks to achieve first silicon success. GUC has established a global customer base throughout Greater China, Japan, Korea, North America, and Europe. Its track-record in complex SoC designs has brought benefits to customers in time to revenue at the lowest risk.

More information about highly integrated SoC platform for Solid State Disk (SSD) can be found at Global Unichip Corp Website