ARM Extends Cortex Family With First Processor Optimized for FPGA
The ARM Cortex-M1 processor enables OEMs to reduce development costs throughstandardization
on a single architecture across FPGA, ASIC and ASSP
CAMBRIDGE, UK, March 19, 2007 —
ARM [(LSE:ARM);
(Nasdaq: ARMHY)] today announced the availability of the ARM® Cortex™-M1
processor – the first ARM processor designed specifically for implementation
on FPGAs. The ARM Cortex-M1 processor extends the range of the ARM Cortex processor
family and enables OEMs to standardize around a common architecture across
the performance spectrum. Actel has worked with ARM as lead Partner and is
the first licensee of the Cortex-M1 processor for use by their FPGA customers.
ARM and Actel will both be demonstrating the Cortex-M1 processor at the Embedded
Systems Conference in San Jose, Calif., April 2-5.
The Cortex-M1 processor enables OEMs to achieve significant cost savings
through rationalization of software and tools investments across multiple projects
spanning FPGA, ASIC and ASSP, plus greater vendor independence through use
of an industry-standard processor. The Cortex-M1 processor is supported by
leading FPGA synthesis vendors, software development tools, and real-time operating
systems, giving FPGA designers unprecedented choice and flexibility.
"Gartner Dataquest maintains that FPGAs/PLDs have a very bright future," said
Bryan Lewis, research vice president, Gartner Dataquest. "We expect solid
growth (15.7 percent) to resume in 2008 and forecast the FPGA/PLD market to
outperform semiconductors from 2008 onward."1
"The Cortex-M1 processor extends the reach of the ARM architecture in
the FPGA domain, and advances our goal of providing processor solutions for
the entire digital world," said Graham Budd, EVP and general manager,
Processor Division, ARM. "By leveraging ARM's vast installed user base
in the ASIC/ASSP and microcontroller markets, along with support from our own
RealView® family of tools as well as product support from the ARM Connected
Community, the Cortex-M1 processor will deliver significant savings to OEMs
in terms of software development resources, tools, and training."
Actel has licensed the Cortex-M1 processor and will make it available at
no additional cost to their customers. The FPGA-optimized Cortex-M1 processor
offers users of Actel's flash-based M1-enabled Actel Fusion Programmable System
Chips and ProASIC3 FPGAs a compact and efficient processor satisfying the requirements
of a wide range of end applications. Actel will support the Cortex-M1 processor
with its CoreConsole IP Deployment Platform, its SoftConsole program development
environment and Actel Libero Integrated Design Environment – all available
for free download from Actel's website.
"Following the success of our ARM7™ family-based solutions, Actel
worked closely with ARM to optimize its Cortex-M1 processor for FPGA implementation
from the ground up, making it an extremely valuable addition to our growing
processor library," said Rich Brossart, vice president, product marketing,
Actel. "Free of the contract negotiations and fees typically associated
with industry-standard processor cores, Actel will make the Cortex-M1 processor
available to those companies who desire highly programmable solutions regardless
of application or volume."
Tools and Peripherals Support
The
Cortex-M1 processor will be fully supported by forthcoming releases of the
ARM RealView® Development Suite and RealView Microcontroller Development
Kit. The RealView Development Suite will include a complete instruction set
system model (ISSM) allowing developers to create and test applications for
the Cortex-M1 processor out of the box. Developers can easily customize the
RealView Development Suite's debugger to visualize and interact withperipherals
added around a Cortex-M1 processor, and will also be able to connect and
debug applications running on Cortex-M1 silicon using ARM's high-performance
RealView ICE and ULINK®2 run control units.
System performance and design turn around time are boosted further with ARM
AMBA® compliant PrimeCell® peripheral IP, including ARM's latest ultra-efficient
microDMA (PL230).
ARM Connected Community Partners, including CodeSourcery, Express Logic, IAR
Systems, Mentor Graphics Inc., Micrium and Synplicity will all support the
Cortex-M1 processor. For improved flow integration, the Cortex-M1 processor
deliverables will include an IP description conforming to the IP-XACT standard
from The SPIRIT Consortium.
Low area, high frequency and ease of use
The ARM Cortex-M1 processor is a streamlined three-stage 32-bit RISC processor
that implements a subset of the popular, high density Thumb®-2 instruction
set. This enables both the processor and software footprint to meet the area
budget of the smallest FPGA devices, while retaining compatibility with Thumb
code for any ARM processor from the ARM7TDMI® processor upwards.The
Cortex-M1 processor is capable of more than 170 MHz, whilst occupying less
than 15 percent area of popular low-cost FPGA devices. Despite being the
smallest processor in the Cortex family, the Cortex-M1 processor can deliver
0.8 DMIPS/MHz. Typical applications for the Cortex-M1 processor on FPGAs include
embedded control, communications, networking and aerospace.
More information on ARM solutions in FPGA is available from www.arm.com/fpga.
Availability
Free of license and royalty fees, Actel's implementation of the Cortex-M1
processor will be available for early access in April via the Actel website
www.actel.com. The M1-enabled ProASIC3 and Actel Fusion PSC devices will sample
in Q3 2007.
The ARM Cortex-M1 processor RTL and associated EDA views optimized for a range
of FPGA vendor devices including Actel, Altera, Lattice and Xilinx will be
available for license by OEMs in 2Q'07.
About the ARM Cortex Family of Processors
The three series in the ARM Cortex family enable chip manufacturers and OEMs
to standardize around a single architecture from low-end microcontrollers to
high-performance applications processors. Featuring Thumb-2 technology, the
ARM Cortexfamily significantly reduces development costs and increases enterprise
efficiency.
- ARM Cortex-A Series: Applications processors for complex OS and user applications
- ARM Cortex-R Series: Embedded processors for real-time systems
- ARM Cortex-M Series: Deeply embedded processors optimized for microcontroller
and low-cost applications
About ARM
ARM designs the technology that lies at the heart of advanced digital products,
frommobile, home and enterprise solutions toembedded and emerging applications.
ARM's comprehensive product offering includes 16/32-bit RISC microprocessors,
data engines, graphics processors, digital libraries, embedded memories,
peripherals, software and development tools, as well as analog functions
and high-speed connectivity products. Combined with the company's broad Partner
community, they provide a total system solution that offers a fast, reliable
path to market for leading electronics companies. More information on ARM
is available at http://www.arm.com.
About the ARM Connected Community
The ARM Connected Community is a global network of companies aligned to provide
a complete solution, from design to manufacture and end use, for products
based on the ARM architecture. ARM offers a variety of resources to Community
members, including promotional programs and peer-networking opportunities
that enable a variety of ARM Partners to come together to provide end-to-end
customer solutions. For more information, please visit http://www.arm.com/community.
ENDS
1. Gartner, Inc., "Forecast: ASIC/ASSP, FPGA/PLD and SLI/SOC Applications,
Worldwide, 2002-2010 (4Q06 Update)", by John Barber and Bryan Lewis, December
4, 2006.
Contact: Ferda Mehmet, A&R Edelman, 415.308.7877
