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In 2001 I led a project to develop
a network security platform that could process packets at a rate of 100
million bits per second combined with an unburdened parts cost of under
US$200.
To achieve this sort of throughput, a high-performance RISC processor of greater than 200MIPS would
be needed. In addition, an encryption co-processor would also be a
requirement.
Use of a PCI bus would be the logical choice as it would satisfy both
the need for speed and maintenance of low overall cost through the use of commodity-priced ethernet controller
chips from the desktop PC market.
The Intel StrongARM processor was a strong candidate, but it did not have a PCI interface.
The solution came in the form of a PCI bridge chip specifically made for
the StrongARM processor- the ITE8152
which included a USB host interface.
The final design included the following components:
- Intel SA1110 StrongARM CPU
- 32, 64, or 128MB of SDRAM using Micron or Elpida parts
- 8 or 16MB of Flash using Intel StrataFlash or ST Micro parts
- 128KB Boot flash using an Atmel part
- ITE 8152 PCI bridge with USB host controller
- (3) RealTek 8139C PCI Ethernet controllers
- Safenet 1140 PCI Encryption processor
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