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Profile
Clarkspur Design, Inc. is a leading independent designer of configurable core integrated circuits for digital signal processing. These Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) provide the benefits of a programmable processor with a fixed instruction set while having the flexibility of selectable data-path precision, different memory types and sizes, additional peripheral circuits like D/A converters and a variety of input/output interfaces. This combination permits high performance at very low silicon cost for a particular application. Use of a configurable core gives many of the benefits of a full-custom design, but with a very much shorter development cycle, lower development cost and at lower risk.
Products
Clarkspur's initial product was the CD2400, a fixed precision configurable core with a 60-ns instruction cycle time, designed back in 1988-1989. The second generation CD2450 core has additional function and instructions, variable data precision and the higher speed instruction cycle time. Licensed core users have designed chips for more than twenty different applications with these two products. Among the applications were hard disk drives, CD ROM drives, DVD drives, data/fax modems, toys, games, and voice mail etc.. Custom designs are also done for specific applications where a DSP core is not suitable. A successful example was the Cylink CY513 data encryption chip used in personal computer plug-in card applications. A license holder of a Clarkspur Design configurable core has unlimited use of the design modules. The license appeals where there will be multiple designs of high-volume low-cost products that must be developed in a short time. Designs can be fabricated at multiple fabrication foundries because of the common design rules used. The synthesizable HDL design of the CD2458 is also the current possible choice. Clarkspur offers an efficient and practical script file for customer's target library. Configurability gives proprietary hardware performance improvements over standard product designs from major IC vendors. Programmability assures easy addition of features to meet changing market needs. Software development support is provided with an Assembler and PC based Emulator Board. The CD2458-EVA chip using external memory is provided to allow easy prototyping of new systems. A very powerful S/W debugger named BUGSFINDER can simulate any I/O interface, and enable a reasonable yet effective program development under the control of MATLAB if necessary.
Background
The Company was founded in April 1988 by Hiro Yagi after fourteen years of industrial IC signal processor design experience in Japan and the United States. Mr. Yagi is an MSEE graduate of Osaka University and has worked for Mitsubishi, Ricoh, Gould AMI and Cylink in various design roles. Clarkspur Design was incorporated in the State of California in November 1990 with an initial capitalization of $55,000. Mr. Yagi is the sole owner so all design management is independent of any license users or fabrication companies. Clarkspur has its own office in Santa Clara, the center of Northern California's Silicon Valley.
DirectionFrom I-280 Take Saratoga Ave. East at the first exit after I-880/I-280 intersection when you come on the I-280 North. The I-280 South bound has only one exit for both East/West Saratoga Ave.. Once you get on the Saratoga Ave. East bound, it is actually going toward North-east. Proceed several blocks crossing Stevens Creek Blvd to reach San Tomas Expressway. Make U turn at the San Tomas Expressway. There is a two way strip between two farmer's houses to our Office complex (Vista Office Park) right after you make the U turn. Clarkspur Design is at the first floor on left when you enter the 160 Saratoga Ave. building.
From San Tomas Expressway Take Saratoga Ave. west. There is a two way strip between two farmer's houses to our Office complex (Vista Office Park) right after you get on the Saratoga Ave.. Clarkspur Design is at the first floor on left when you enter the 160 Saratoga Ave. building.
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