Actel and ARM Develop High-Performance 32-Bit Processor Optimized for FPGAs
Actel Offers New Cortex-M1 for Use in Flash-based M1 ProASIC3 and M1 Fusion
Devices
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., March 19, 2007 —
Disclosing further details of
its industry-standard processor portfolio, Actel Corporation (NASDAQ: ACTL)
today announced the availability of its implementation of the ARM® Cortex™-M1
processor, a small, high-performance, 32-bit soft core co-developed by the
companies for optimal use in field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). Removing
the license and royalty fees typically associated with licensing models for
industry-leading processor cores, Actel offers free access to advanced ARM
processor technology to the broad marketplace. The free delivery of the Cortex-M1
processor for use in Actel's flash-based, M1-enabled Actel Fusion and ProASIC3
FPGAs provides system designers programmable flexibility and system-level integration,
enabling the development of low-cost, high-performance systems.
"With the significant increase in the use of FPGAs as flexible, cost-effective
platforms for the rapid design of high-quality embedded systems, the introduction
of an FPGA-optimized ARM processor enables us to serve the growing needs of
companies who require highly programmable solutions," said John Cornish,
vice president, marketing, Processors Division, ARM. "The unprecedented
security benefits and advanced features offered by Actel's flash-based FPGAs
make these devices an ideal vehicle for our high-performance processor technology."
Rich Brossart, vice president, product marketing at Actel, added, "Evidenced
by the success of our soft ARM7™ family processor core, designers continue
to show great interest in implementing industry-standard 32-bit processor technologies
in FPGAs. With the addition of the FPGA-optimized ARM Cortex-M1 processor,
free of license and royalty fees, to our broad processor portfolio, system
designers can select the solution that best meets their design requirements
regardless of application or volume."
Cortex-M1 Processor and Actel's M1-Enabled FPGAs
Derived from ARM's three-stage Cortex-M3 processor pipeline, the highly configurable
Cortex-M1 processor operates at up to 72 MHz in Actel's M1-enabled Fusion Programmable
System Chip (PSC) or ProASIC3 FPGAs. Providing a good balance between size
and speed for embedded applications, the core is able to be implemented in
as few as 4300 tiles, roughly 20 percent of an M1A3P1000 ProASIC3 device or
30 percent of a mixed-signal M1AFS600 Actel Fusion PSC. The Cortex-M1 processor
solution also connects to the industry-standard AHB bus, allowing designers
to build a subsystem and easily add peripheral functionality to the processor.
With the increasing costs of application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)
design, designers can benefit from a Cortex-M1 processor-based implementation
in an FPGA due to reduced design time and a lower cost of entry into system-on-chip
design, particularly for lower volume applications. However, for designs that
scale to ultra-high volumes, the 32-bit Cortex-M1 processor runs the industry-standard
Thumb® instruction set and is upward compatible with the Cortex-M3 processor,
providing an easy migration path to ASIC implementation.
Actel's flash-based FPGAs, the mixed-signal M1 Actel Fusion PSCs and low-cost
M1 ProASIC3 devices, are virtually immune to tampering, assuring users that
valuable IP will not be compromised or copied. The single-chip devices also
provide the low power, firm-error immunity and live at power-up capabilities
that are inherent to all Actel FPGAs.
Comprehensive Tool Support
The Cortex-M1 processor is supported by the comprehensive tools and knowledge
that currently exists for the ARM architecture, far surpassing the level of
support offered for proprietary processors. 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 Web site. Actel's implementation of
the Cortex-M1 processor is fully supported by the ARM RealView® Development
Suite and RealView Microcontroller Development Kit. Third-party vendors, such
as Aldec, CriticalBlue, CodeSourcery, IAR, ImpulseC and Keil™, an ARM
Company, will also support the new processor with a host of tools—from
compilers and debuggers to RTOS support.
Pricing and Availability
Actel's implementation of the Cortex-M1 processor will be available for early
access in April. The M1A3P1000 ProASIC3 device and M1AFS600 Fusion PSC device
will sample in Q3 2007 with production quantities in Q4 2007. Pricing for the
M1 devices starts at $3.95. For further information about pricing and availability,
please contact Actel or visit the company's Web site at www.actel.com.
About Actel
Actel Corporation is the leader in single-chip FPGA solutions. The company
is traded on the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol ACTL and is headquartered
at 2061 Stierlin Court, Mountain View, Calif., 94043-4655. For more information
about Actel, visit www.actel.com. Telephone:
888-99-ACTEL (992-2835).
Contact: Stephanie Mrus, Actel Corporation, 650.318.4614
