RC MODULE, a Russian electronics company, develops image processing and neural network software, embedded computers (part of the computer system on the International Space Station), and ASICs including the NeuroMatrix NM6403 Processor. RC Module has been financed via contract design projects and is currently seeking about $500K from western investors. The company had planned to achieve revenues of US$4 million in 1998, but due to the financial crisis only expects to achieve about US$1 million. The company has about 100 employees.

The NM6403 is a high performance microprocessor with a super scalar architecture. It integrates a 32/64-bit RISC core and 1-64 bit DSP co-processor (patent pending) to support matrix calculations with elements of variable bit length. The device has 2 identical 64-bit programmable memory interfaces and 2 communication ports, hardware compatible with the TMS320Cx comm port. The NM6403 achieves 1200 MMAC at a 50MHz clock rate and 8-bit operands. It is designed in 0.5um CMOS, with a 3.3V power supply and a BGA256 package. The NM603 will start shipping in March ’99.

The NM6404 next-generation version will have the same RISC and VECTOR cores as the NM603 in addition to the following new features: 2-Mbits internal memory, access to internal memory from neighborhood, 8-, 16-, 32-, 64-bit external memory support, SDRAM support, FFT support, JTAG port, PLLs and power management, and 200MHz clock in 0.24u CMOS.

A full suite of development tools are available including a C++ compiler, assembler, linker, emulator, source level debugger, object files librarian, load and exchange library, run-time libraries, and Cadence compatible behavioral Verilog model.

The NM6403 is available as a discrete IC, TIM module, or board level VME and PCI product. The PCI board is available in single or dual processor configurations. The NeuroMatrix NM6404 Processor will also be available as a chip or PCI board.

Competitive products include digital VLSI Neuroprocessors such as the Philips Lneuro, Inova N64000, or Siemens MA-16, neural network accelerator cards such as BrainMaker accelerators and the Nestor Ni1000, and fixed-point DSPs such as the Analog Devises ADSP-2100, Motorola DSP561xx and TI 320C54x. RC MODULE believes that the NM6403 provides superior speed vs. precision trade-offs than other alternatives.

The NM6403 has achieved 4071 clock cycles for 256 point FFT. TI’s C62x DSP performs the same task in 4225 clock cycles. The device achieves Alpha 500 MHz performance with Haramard Transform at 40 MHz clock rate.

The company plans to ship silicon and is interested in licensing the design as well. The NM6403 is fabricated at Samsung. A wafer foundry has not been selected yet for the NM6404. The company has several Russian and German customers and has also provided the NeuroMatrix 2-CPU PCI Board to HiNT (Fremont, CA) for evaluation. The NM6403 is RC Module’s first chip design. The company uses Cadence and Synopsys design tools and is prepared to make high-end chips for external customers. RC Module is a certified Fujitsu Design Center in Russia and has a long-standing partnership with Samsung. The company has several reps worldwide including Alternative Solutions in France.

Given the Russian financial crisis and our media-influenced Western bias, we questioned RC Module’s viability, considering the jeopardy involved in designing in a high-end sole-source device like the NM6403. Dimitir said Samsung produces the processor and joint-marketing negotiations are under way. If necessary, he would sign a contract to license the design in the event that “MODULE” Research Centre becomes insolvent. The NM6403/4 appears to be very interesting and RC MODULE clearly has significant intellectual property – worth exploring.

Ioury Borissov, Managing Director
Michael Jafrakov, Scientific Director
Dmitri Fomine, ASIC Section Manager, fomin@module.vympel.msk.ru