Transcript Microprocessor

Advanced Manufacturing Technologies for
Extending Microprocessor Availability
Commercial IP Soft Core
Advanced Retargeting/Cloning
On-Demand Chip Processing
On-Demand ASIC Packaging
Proactive Solution to Military Microprocessor
Availability and Affordability
Manufacturing Science & Technology Division
Engineering Directorate, RDECOM
Advanced Microprocessor Technologies
for Military Systems
Briefing Objectives
• Microprocessor Availability Problem
• Overview of Microprocessor Cloning Initiative
• Demonstrate Aviation Application
• Summary
Advanced Microprocessor Technologies
for Military Systems
Problem Statement
• Missile Defense, Army Aviation, Tactical Missiles and other
key weapon systems face critical microprocessor availability
problems
– Commercial processor lifecycles ~ 3 - 5 years
– Military system lifecycles ~ 20 years and greater
• Current solution options are bridge buys or system redesign
– Bridge buys are high-risk due to varying system lifecycles and
quantities. Also requires high up front investment cost and storage
considerations.
– System redesign is costly due to:
– Software is microprocessor specific; software regression testing
always required and is a major cost driver
– Simply band aides the problem until next redesign required
Advanced Microprocessor Technologies
for Military Systems
Solution
• Employ advanced Microprocessor Cloning technologies
– Retargeting/Cloning tools based on commercial intellectual
property (IP) soft core transfer and integrated processor design,
simulation and hardware/software validation capabilities
• Use of advanced Microprocessor Manufacturing
technologies
– On-demand Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC) and
Ball Grid Array (BGA) fabrication and robust packaging processes
(including RAD-HARD devices) using commercial vendors or TAPO
(Trusted Access Program Office)
• Conduct multiple Pilot demonstrations
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Optimize IP soft core transfer business cases
Optimize design retargeting cloning capabilities
Optimize ASIC/BGA manufacturing and packaging capabilities
Enable technology insertions in multiple military systems
Advanced Microprocessor Technologies
for Military Systems
Benefits
• Prevention of complete CCA/LRU redesign
requirements
• Combats market dependencies & enforced
technology upgrades
• Better use of limited resources
• Another tool in obsolescence mitigation
arsenal
Advanced Microprocessor Technologies
for Military Systems
Get to Market Faster and
Stay There Longer!
Use of intellectual property processor cores offers a new
level of design flexibility and technology independence.
The vision is to extend this best commercial practice to
military application.
Typical
Product Lifecycle
Advanced Microprocessor Technologies
for Military Systems
• Now you can use a state-ofthe-art processor and get the
added benefit of long term
availability.
• “The independent intellectual
property provider market
represents one of the most
significant, exciting and rapidly
changing segments in the entire
semiconductor history for future
evolution and growth of the
overall electronics industry."
Advanced Microprocessor Technologies
for Military Systems
Using This Technology Today
Advanced Microprocessor Technologies
for Military Systems
Aviation Pilot Demonstration
Phase 1:
• Acquire IP core, conduct design/retargeting/cloning exercises to
establish equivalent microprocessor
• Conduct design for manufacturing/packaging exercises
Phase 2:
• Synthesize design to technology independent VHDL/Verilog
libraries
• Identify manufacturing and test process improvements for high
reliability/low volume die fabrication and ASIC/BGA packaging
Phase 3:
• Fabricate processors (die) and package to demonstrate cloning and
improved manufacturing and test processes
• Potential to use Trusted Foundry for die fabrication
• Validate capabilities at multiple levels: microprocessor, board level,
and full system hardware/software compatibility
TAPO Operational Flow
DoD PM
Identifies Rqmts
Program/Contractors
DoD PM
Awards Contract
DoD PM
Validates Task Order
Provides Funds
TAPO
Establishes Linkage
with IBM
DoD Contractors/IBM
Technical Exchange
DoD
Contractor
IBM/DoD Contractor
Generate Task Order
Contractor provides
Mask Files
IAW Task Order
Trusted Access
Program Office (TAPO)
Contract Activities
IBM Fills Order
TAPO
Completes Admin Duties
Deliver
To Contractor
Advanced Microprocessor Technologies
for Military Systems
Summary
• Use of microprocessor IP cores is becoming
mainstream in commercial industry to reduce
time to market and increase availability
• Microprocessor Cloning is an enabling
technology that can address all military
systems
• Program plans and investment strategy built
for flexibility and success
• Phase 1 Trade Study in Progress