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ARM system-on-chip architecture, 2nd edition

[Book Review]

Article in IEEE Network · December 2000

DOI: 10.1109/MNET.2000.885658 · Source: IEEE Xplore

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 NEW BOOKS and MULTIMEDIA

protocols rather than for writing applications. That is, sockets-
based programming is not included in the book. Given the
close relation of the example projects to the particular simula-
tor, the accompanyingCD-ROM includesversions of NW that run
on Linux, Window,s and Solaris, while other systems can be
supported by porting the source code (included as well). Of the
suggested projects, a few introductory ones concern installingNW
and trying an example topology. The really interesting parts
start with data link protocols where bit stuffing, CRC, and
ARQ protocols are presented along with a corresponding pro-
ject for each. MAC protocols are represented by two chapters
and an equal number of projects, one on Ethernet and one on token
rings. Similarly, two chapters and two projects are related to
the network layer, one dealing with shortest path calculation
and one with link state updates. The transport layer includes
only one project: naturally, building a reliable end-to-end pro-
tocol. The pleasant surprise is the inclusion of a project in mul-
ticasting,which boilsdownto theconstruction processof amulticast
tree. The application layer chapter is accompanied by a list
server project. Finally, a packet filtering project represents the
security section. The appendices include a glossary, instructions
/
improved code density over other RISC processors, an area
where RISC architectures lag behind CISG architectures.In the age
of mobile computing devices, less space, less memory, and sim-
pler architecture are strong selling points. The ARM architec-
ture is at the center of power-efficient computing. ARM
processorcores are found today in cell phones, palmtops,and numer-
ous other embedded devices. Steve Furber’s book covers the
architecture, instruction set, assembly programming, and sup-
port mechanisms for high-level languages and building operating
systems. However, several chapters of the book are devoted to
the particular features of the ARM architecture and how they
can be exploited. One such characteristic of ARM processors is
the so-calledThumb instructionset, the specificinstructionset “com-
pression” approach that gives ARM an edge over other RISC archi-
tectures.Thumbinstructionsare 16bits long.The result is a40percent
faster code compared to plain ARM code and, even more
important, a 30 percent less external memory power compared
toplain ARMcode. TheThumbinstructionset isexplainedindetail,
both at the architectural and at the coding level. Next, the partic-
ular ways of integrating ARM processors and peripherals are
described, explaining the signal processing support one is likely

for installing and using NW, and the NW header files. to find in ARM applicationsrunning on mobile telephone handsets.
Another property of ARM processors is that they are encoun-
ARM System-on-ChipArchitecture, 2nd Edition tered as processor cores (the instruction fetching and execution
mechanism) which can be used for integrating whatever compo-
Steve Furber, 2000, Addison-Wesley, 0-201475 194,419
nents are necessary to produce the final “system on a chip.” The
pages, softcover
book covers the following ARM processor cores: ARM7TDM1,
The ideas behind the Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) ARM& ARM9TDM1, and ARMlOTDMI. CPU cores also exist
have influenced the architecture of several processors, including wherebyprocessorcores are combinedwithcachememory and mem-
*
that of ARM processors. ARM processors attempt to achieve ory management hardware to form a fairly self-containedCPU. The
book covers the CPU cores: ARM710T, ARM720T, ARM740T,
ARM810, StrongARM, ARM920T, ARM940T, ARM946E-S,
AS THE #1 COMPANY for providing end-to-end DSL products, we offer ARM966E-S, and ARM1020E. A chapter is devoted to embed-

’ our engineers accelerated opportunities most other companies can’t

keep up with. Like financial stabiliw. The chance to work on a multitude
of projects. The freedom to make your own decisions. And a work
encourages professional growth. If you have the
vlsion,the desire andthetalenttotake offwith a DSLcareer,makesure
ded ARM applications,the VLSI TechnologyInc. Ruby I1Advanced
CommunicationsProcessor, and the ISDN SubscriberProcessor by
the same company,OneC‘sVWS22100GSMchip, Ericsson-VLSI’s
Bluetooth Baseband Controller, the ARM7500 and ARM7500FE
f u P P f R MuUl,llY
WP-P--~XN-.WD it’s with us a proven. profitable company with thegplrlt of a stan-up.
~
single-chip computers (including audio and video controllers),
and the SA1000 handheld application system in a chip. The final
chapter presents AMULET, a fully asynchronous (and even less
P u t your c a r e e r o n t h e f a s t - t r a c k t o s n c c e s s by power-consuming)implementation of the A R M architecture devel-
applying for one of the f o l l o w i n g positions: oped at the University of Manchester.
ANALOG/PHV LAVER ENGINEER HARDWARUSOWARE PRINCIPAL
/Req. # 20-1641 ENGINEER (Req. #Z!Jf63/
Duties include design. simulation Lead a team of hardware and The Wireless Application Protocol
and analysis of analog front-end software engineers as you design
telephony circuitw. and test microorocessor-based Steve Mann and Scott Sbihli, 2000, John Wiley & Sons, 0-471-
DIGITAL HARDWARE ENGINEERS
data communication boards 39992-2, 2 10 pages, softcover
(Req. #20-1691 MANAGER OF ClRCUtT PACK The Wireless Application Protocol is in fact a set of proto-
You will design and test micro- ENGINEERING /Re@ #20- 16.7)
processor data communication Direct. recruit and hire for a cols forming a protocol stack currently in the early stages of its
boards, support system integration group of engineers in the design use as the communication protocol in low-cost low-power
efforts, and perform system design. and testing of microprocessor-
based data communication boards.
mobile devices. The intended audience is nonexpert and gener-
EMEEOOEO SOFlWARE al, maybe even new to networking. For this reason, some intro-
ENGINEERS /Req. #20-387/ SYSTEM TEST ENGINEERS
Develop embedded software IReq. #99-197/
ductory material is provided to illustrate the technical aspects
for telecom or internetworking Design, implement, and maintain of wireless communications, describing, among other things,
equipment using PPC740, i960 automated test solutions and the existing infrastructure and the trend of integrating all kinds
and Pentium Ill processors. develop system test plans,
proceduresitest cases, and ofdeviceswith theInternet. Oneofthemainobjectivesofthe book
ENGINEERING PROJECT
MANAGER (Req. #20-109)
implement automated test is to convince the reader of the business case supporting WAP, and
programs in C to control network,
Lead and manage cross-disciplinary GPIB, and controlled the strategies by which corporations may espouse it. Moreover,
teams, with emphasis in engineering, test equipment. the general architecture of WAP-based servicesis presented, point-
throughout a project life cycle.
ingout the need for the different softwarecomponents (from micro-
Steer your career into a bright future. Join our fast-paced team. browsers to WAP gateways). Half of the book is a high-level
We’ll reward you with challenges and acknowledge your accomplish-
ments with professional growth and respect. To apply, please e-mail description of the protocols involved in WAP, with numerous
your resume with, Req. #. to: jobsOcoppermountain.com or mail to: references to example applications, actual devices, and soft-
Copper Mountain Networks, Ann: Staffing. 10145 Pacific Heights
Blvd.. #loo, San Diego, CA 92121. Fax: (858) 410-7351 EOE. ware components. The second half is essentially the WML
standard. WLM is a markup language,related to HTML and XML,
j o b s . c o p p e r m o u n t a i n . c o m but with the specific intent of being efficient and generally
tuned to the capabilitiesof mobile devices.Unfortunately, the book

4 IEEE Network NovemberDeccmber 2000

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