A new PowerPC microprocessor for low power computing systems

Abstract

A new PowerPC microprocessor is designed for desktop companions and high end embedded multimedia applications such as high performance video games with graphics intensive operations. It features a low power consumption of 1.2 watts at 66 MHz at 3.3 volts. The processor is fabricated in a 0.5 micron, 4 level metal CMOS technology resulting in 1 M transistors in a 7.07 mm by 7.07 mm chip size. Dual 4K-byte instruction and data caches coupled to a high performance 64-bit multiplexed bus and separate execution units (branch, float, integer, and load-store units) result in a peak instruction rate of 2 instructions per clock cycle. Low power techniques are used throughout the entire design including dynamically powered down execution units.