ASSPs

Several converging technology
trends and market factors are leading
to the increased use of the Application
Specific Standard Processor (ASSP)
for a widening range of applications.
Ever-increasing performance demands
in networked communications, data storage,
and other arenas require that next
generation embedded processors deliver
increased processing performance. At
the same time, the growing role of industry-
standard bus and network interfaces
make it less attractive to design and
maintain the single-purpose Application
Specific IC (ASIC) as the cost of tooling
and mask development continues to
increase.