Silicon Image intros RAID IP core based on production-proven SteelVine technology

SUNNYVALE, USA: Silicon Image, a leader in semiconductors and intellectual property (IP) for the secure distribution, presentation and storage of high-definition (HD) content, announced the availability of a new IP core based on its SteelVine Series 3 Core technology for SATA storage processors.

The IP core is a low-cost solution supporting RAID0, RAID1 and JBOD for consumer electronics (CE) storage applications.

Silicon Image’s SteelVine technology is designed for enhanced performance and system-level cost reduction without sacrificing functionality. Key applications for the RAID IP core include: external storage enclosures, system boards, backup storage, PC motherboards, flash storage, surveillance DVR, media services and high-end set-top-boxes (STBs).

For ease of use and support, this third-generation SteelVine IP core delivers the following key features and functionality without requiring any software drivers:

* FAST (RAID 0) to automatically enhance performance (2X speed).
* SAFE (RAID 1) for automatic back-up/mirror capabilities.
* JBOD (SATA port multiplier) one host port, and two device ports (1:2).
* In RAID0, RAID1 or RAID10 modes, cascading the IP block enables support of up to 4 drives.

“Sophisticated RAID capabilities are now migrating to consumer applications, however, complex software is inhibiting wide spread use,” said Ron Richter, director worldwide IP core licensing at Silicon Image, Inc. “SteelVine technology IP cores provide RAID0 and RAID1 functionality—significantly reducing CPU processing while delivering 2X storage performance or automatic back up without requiring any software installation or support.”

Silicon Image’s family of IP cores includes a broad range of HDMI technology solutions, Serial ATA storage (SATA), Mobile HD technology and HD MPEG/H.264/VC-1 video decoder applications (HD, 3D & 4K resolutions) as well as image signal processor (ISP) camera IP up to 18 mega pixels.