Recently, iStarChip Semiconductor hosted a groundbreaking new product launch event, centered around the theme “Tri-Core Integration, Singular Chip Mastery: Unleashing Boundless Intelligent Control.” As a pioneering domestic manufacturer specializing in high-performance chip design and development, iStarChip Semiconductor proudly introduced its inaugural ZPC1 series of products. Leveraging iStarChip’s proprietary α2ω fusion control processor architecture, which harmoniously integrates three cores into one (CPU, DSP, and NPU), the ZPC1 series promises to unlock limitless potential for application advancements in the AI era. By dramatically simplifying the development process for customers, the ZPC1 series makes AI applications more accessible and less intimidating.

Tri-Core Integration, Singular Chip Mastery – Fusion Controller Unit

The Fusion Controller Unit (FCU), a state-of-the-art fusion control processor meticulously crafted by iStarChip Semiconductor, harnesses advanced multi-core heterogeneous technology to seamlessly integrate three cores—CPU, DSP, and NPU—onto a solitary chip. By enabling data interconnection within the chip, it drastically minimizes data transmission loss. Furthermore, through the implementation of sophisticated dynamic power management technology, it effectively reduces operational power consumption, thereby offering substantial performance reserves tailored for the development of artificial intelligence (AI) applications. Leveraging the ARM-based integrated development system, customers can achieve comprehensive AI application development with significant cost savings in labor.

iStarChip FCU Architecture

iStarChip’s Fusion Controller Unit (FCU) not only guarantees seamless collaboration but also marks four pivotal advancements in the realm of control chips:

• AI Integration Leadership: Pioneering the industry, iStarChip FCU incorporates an independent NPU within a control chip. This innovation allows the FCU to execute AI models directly on-chip, supporting a peak AI computing power of 1 Tops. Compared to software-based AI algorithms, it boasts a 500 to 1,000-fold performance enhancement, facilitating efficient AI processing on edge devices and fortifying performance support for end-side intelligent applications, such as smart homes, toy robots, and smart healthcare solutions.

• Robustness in Complex Environments: As the first to apply the advanced FinFet process in control chips, iStarChip FCU achieves higher functional integration within a compact footprint while bolstering the chip’s immunity to interference and stability. It operates reliably within a temperature range of -40°C to 125°C, making it suitable for demanding environments, whether in industrial automation or automotive electronics, where extreme stability is paramount.

• Compliance with Stringent Safety Norms: iStarChip FCU’s α2ω full-flow functional safety architecture adheres to the world’s most rigorous automotive safety standards, encompassing ISO 26262 ASIL-D, the cybersecurity standard SAE 21434, and AEC-Q100 Grade 1. By extending automotive-grade safety standards to other industries, iStarChip FCU achieves a significant leap in safety performance.

• Agility in Market Adaptation: Designed with flexibility and scalability, iStarChip FCU facilitates rapid interconnection between chips. It can dynamically expand system functionalities and performance according to real-world application requirements, offering tailored solutions to meet rapidly evolving market demands and gaining a competitive edge in fiercely contested markets.

• ZPC1SE: The Entry-Level Champion, Offering Unbeatable Cost-Performance
  The ZPC1 SE boasts a 500Mhz M52 core, delivering an impressive 800DMIPS performance output while integrating up to 2MB of memory. In comparison to traditional control processors, the ZPC1 SE series delivers a double performance boost without any additional cost, ensuring higher processing speeds, enhanced stability, and unparalleled control precision.

• ZPC1Pro: The Mainstream Flagship, Reigning Supreme in Performance
  The ZPC1 Pro not only features an embedded DSP but also integrates a powerful 1000Mhz M85 core, offering 3000DMIPS and a staggering 8GFlops of floating-point computation performance. With support for up to 4MB of flash memory, the ZPC1 Pro outperforms standard DSP products by four times, capable of handling more intricate signals while maintaining cost efficiency. This unlocks greater potential in electronic devices, positioning the ZPC1 Pro as an ideal alternative to overseas DSP products in the ongoing trend of domestic substitution.

• ZPC1ProN: The Future-Oriented Intelligence Pioneer
  Fully embracing the AI trend, the ZPC1 ProN integrates an independent U65 core alongside the M85 core, delivering an impressive 1 Tops of NPU performance. With a generous maximum of 8MB of memory, it excels in supporting large-model applications, particularly in edge-side scenarios. This enables our customers to tap into the burgeoning billion-scale market for edge AI devices, paving the way for a future-ready technological landscape.

Outlook and Forward-Looking Perspectives

In the age of AI, traditional microcontrollers have fallen short of meeting the constantly evolving needs of AI applications. Emerging controller chips, integrating DSP signal processing and NPU model inference capabilities, are poised for broader development horizons. The successful debut of iStarChip’s ZPC1 series signifies the company’s maiden venture into the domestic semiconductor industry.

As we gaze into the future, iStarChip Semiconductor is brimming with confidence. With robust backing from the government, investors, and various societal sectors, iStarChip remains committed to technological innovation and product advancement. By leveraging its proprietary α2ω triple-core-in-one (CPU-DSP-NPU) fusion control processor architecture, iStarChip strives to illuminate the semiconductor landscape and play a pivotal role in fostering the independent controllability and high-quality growth of China’s chip industry.