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ARM Unveils Cortex-A15 MPCore Processor to Dramatically Accelerate Capabilities of Mobile, Consumer and Infrastructure Applications
CAMBRIDGE, U.K. --(Business Wire)--
ARM today introduced the Cortex™-A15 MPCore processor that delivers a 5x
performance improvement over today's advanced smartphone processors,
within a comparable energy footprint. In advanced infrastructure
applications the Cortex-A15 processor running at up to 2.5GHz will
enable highly scalable solutions within constantly shrinking energy,
thermal and cost budgets. The Cortex-A15 processor is available for
licensing today and is targeted at manufacture in 32nm, 28nm and future
geometries.
As the latest addition to ARM's Cortex-A family of processors, the
Cortex-A15 MPCore processor will enable a new and vast array of products
ranging from next-generation smartphones, tablets, large-screen mobile
computing and high-end digital home entertainment devices through to
wireless basestations and enterprise infrastructure products.
"The launch of the Cortex-A15 MPCore processor marks the beginning of an
entirely new era for the ARM Partnership. It brings together more than
20 years of ARM expertise in low-power design with a host of new and
very aggressive high-performance technologies," said Mike Inglis, EVP
and GM, processor division, ARM. "The Cortex-A15 MPCore processor will
become the next major step along the industry's energy efficient
computing roadmap and open up a wide range of new application
possibilities for our Partners."
The debut of the Cortex-A15 MPCore processor enhances the ARM Cortex-A
Series of processors by providing the electronics industry with the
broadest range of software and feature-set compatible processors. The
Cortex-A15 extends the capabilities of the ARM Cortex-A Series by adding
efficient hardware support for OS virtualization, soft-error recovery,
larger memory addressability and system coherency. While remaining true
to ARM's power-efficient design heritage, the Cortex-A15 MPCore
processor brings a new level of performance scalability as well as a
feature set that enables ARM Partners to address a range of innovative
and traditional markets with a single processor architecture.
The Cortex-A15 also enjoys full application compatibility with all of
the other highly acclaimed Cortex-A processors. This enables immediate
access to an established developer and software ecosystem, including
Android™, Adobe® Flash® Player, Java Platform Standard Edition (Java
SE), JavaFX, Linux, Microsoft (News - Alert)® Windows® Embedded Compact 7, Symbian® and
Ubuntu, along with more than 700 ARM Connected Community™ members
providing applications software, hardware and software development
tools, middleware and SoC design services.
"The operational and economic benefits of cloud computing will transform
the high-tech industry over the next decade. Everything from handheld
devices to the network infrastructure will require more performance and
efficiency to handle the increasing amounts of information that will
emerge from the use of remote resources," said Jim McGregor, chief
technology strategist at In-Stat. "ARM has been at the core of the
mobile industry and the Cortex-A15 MPCore and accompanying technologies
extends the potential for this highly efficient and flexible
architecture to other applications critical to our connected world."
Collaborative differentiation through partnerships continue to be the
main driver of the ARM business model and the launch of the Cortex-A15
MPCore processor is the result of ARM's work with lead licensee partners
Samsung, ST Ericsson and Texas Instruments (News - Alert), who were key drivers of the
definition of the processor, ensuring it meets the key challenges faced
by the industry.
"The market's demand for more functionality and connectivity with
low-power consumption requires ever more advanced processor, system and
chip design. By combining the advanced CPU technology from ARM with
Samsung's (News - Alert) world leading chip design and manufacturing capabilities,
Samsung has already achieved considerable success in offering high
performances and low power Application Processor products to the market
place," said Yiwan Wong, VP of SoC marketing, system LSI division,
Samsung Electronics. "We believe this new Cortex-A15 MPCore processor
core from ARM, with its quantum leap in processing capabilities, will
successfully enable many next-generation electronic products and
redefine the level of experience consumers will demand from their
smartphones and mobile computing devices."
"We have entered a new era for smart devices where wireless computing
solutions bring 3D navigation, augmented reality, HD
video filming, high speed broadband and other advanced capabilities to
more consumers, enabling our vision of an all-connected world," said
Edgar Auslander, senior vice president, strategic planning at
ST-Ericsson (News - Alert). "Following our pioneering single die
integration of modem and application engine featuring a dual Cortex-A9
processor, we are pleased to continue to work with ARM as a lead partner
for the Cortex-A15 MPCore processor. Integrated into our leading-edge
system-on-chip solutions, the new ARM core will enable our customers to
build extremely power-efficient devices with an unprecedented level of
performance."
"As a long-term key partner, TI has worked with ARM for 17 years to
innovate and deliver more than 3 billion ARM processor-based
system-on-chip (SoC) devices. As an advanced lead partner and first
licensee of the Cortex-A15 MPCore processor, we look forward to
leveraging the Cortex-A15 core to deliver industry-leading processors
that will provide the high performance demanded by the next generation
of connected devices, all within a low-power envelope. When pairing the
Cortex-A15 MPCore processor with TI's SmartReflex™ 3 technology, future
OMAP applications processors will yield a 60 percent reduction in power,
enabling TI to continue delivering the industry's most energy-efficient,
high-performing solutions. We also see the potential for broader market
implementations, leveraging the Cortex-A15 core for home entertainment
and multimedia applications," said Remi El-Ouazzane, vice president,
OMAP platform business unit, TI.
Supporting Technology
The Cortex-A15 MPCore processor will be supported by specifically
optimized ARM Physical IP that was developed jointly with the processor.
These optimizations enable rapid development of leadership physical
implementations, initially targeting 32nm and 28nm technologies with a
roadmap extending to 20nm.
The processor is also supported by a broad range of ARM technology
including the AMBA 4 compliant CoreLink™ system IP, CoreSight™ debug and
trace IP, Mali Graphics and a robust set of development tools. This
technology is complemented by a broad range of SoC and software design
solutions, tols and services from the ARM Connected Community™
ecosystem to provide ARM Partners with a smooth path through the
development, verification and production of full function, compelling
devices while significantly reducing time-to-market.
For details on the specific new features and capabilities of the
Cortex-A15 MPCore processor and the supporting technology go to http://www.arm.com/products/processors/cortex-a/cortex-a15.php
Editors Note:
Images available from: http://www.arm.com/about/newsroom/media-resources/image-downloads.php
About ARM
ARM designs the technology that lies at the heart of advanced digital
products, from wireless, networking and consumer entertainment solutions
to imaging, automotive, security and storage devices. ARM's
comprehensive product offering includes 32-bit RISC microprocessors,
graphics processors, video engines, enabling software, cell libraries,
embedded memories, high-speed connectivity products, peripherals and
development tools. Combined with comprehensive design services,
training, support and maintenance, and the company's broad Partner
community, they provide a total system solution that offers a fast,
reliable path to market for leading electronics companies. Find out more
about ARM by following these links:
ARM is a registered trademark of ARM Limited. Cortex, CoreLink,
CoreSight, Connected Community and MPCore are trademarks of ARM Limited.
All other brands or product names are the property of their respective
holders. "ARM" is used to represent ARM Holdings plc; its operating
company ARM Limited; and the regional subsidiaries ARM Inc.; ARM KK; ARM
Korea Limited.; ARM Taiwan Limited; ARM France SAS; ARM Consulting
(Shanghai) Co. Ltd.; ARM Belgium Services BVBA; ARM Germany GmbH; ARM
Embedded Technologies Pvt. Ltd.; ARM Norway, AS and ARM Sweden AB
SUPPORTING QUOTES FROM ARM CONNECTED COMMUNITY MEMBERS
"Microsoft is pleased to be working with ARM to help OEMs deliver
immersive user experiences and seamless connectivity by extending
Windows and the benefits of the cloud to specialized devices for
consumers and enterprises," said Olivier Fontana, director, worldwide
partner and field marketing for Windows Embedded at Microsoft
Corp. "The ARM Cortex-A15 processor combined with the Windows Embedded
Compact 7 operating system provides developers and designers with the
latest tools and a streamlined development experience to quickly and
easily build rich and compelling specialized devices."
"The ARM ecosystem enables the mobile device experience consumers
expect. With optimized Adobe Flash Player 10.1 support for the range of
devices enabled by the ARM Cortex-A series, the full web experience
scales across the continuum of current and future mobile connected
devices. The launch of the Cortex-A15 marks a new era in mobile
computing, and we look forward to working with ARM and the ARM ecosystem
to ensure optimized mobile Internet experiences," said Danny Winokur,
vice president, Flash Client Platform, Adobe
"The Cortex-A15 MPCore processor is the next quantum leap for
high-performance embedded applications used in demanding consumer and
enterprise devices," said Chi-Ping Hsu, senior vice president, research
and development with the Cadence Silicon Realization Group. "We
are excited to work early on with ARM to ensure that our most
sophisticated mutual customers, who are eager to design with the
Cortex-A15 MPCore, have access to knowledgeable design expertise at
product launch. Through our collaborations, Cadence is able to offer our
customers the depth of knowledge and expertise that can help them reap
the benefits of this new ARM technology today."
"With the release of the Cortex-A15 processor, ARM has produced another
pioneering processor, which will enable product manufacturers to deliver
exciting devices to the marketplace, with enhanced multiprocessor
performance within tight power constraints," said William E Lamie, CEO
and president, Express Logic, Inc. "Our ThreadX RTOS, which is
already deployed in over 800 million devices, offers designers working
with the Cortex-A15 processor a responsive, high-performance, low-memory
footprint solution for producing compelling products in today's
challenging market."
"The ARM Cortex-A15 processor addition to the family of processors
supporting the ARMv7 architecture will enable a range of exciting
applications ranging from mobile computing devices, enterprise
networking to digital home appliances. Its flexible multiprocessor
design fits well with Green Hills' product line of software solutions,"
said David Kleidermacher, CTO at Green Hills Software. "Green
Hills' MULTI IDE with its ARM/Thumb-2 compiler, the INTEGRITY family of
RTOSes and secure virtualization technology (which already support the
Cortex family of processors) will combine with the ARM Cortex-A15
processor to give OEMs and developers a compelling target for product
development."
"The Cortex-A15 processor is another exciting addition to the ARM Cortex
family of scalable multicore processors, targeting a wide variety of
devices and providing leading combinations of performance and
power-efficiency," said Stephan Lauterbach, general manager, Lauterbach
GmbH. "Lauterbach's PowerDebug and PowerTrace range of development
tools provide support across the whole family of ARM processors, and we
work closely with ARM to ensure that developers have the tools required
to bring innovative products to market in a timely and cost-effective
manner."
"The Cortex-A15 brings together an array of new features to deliver the
performance of a desktop in the power profile of a mobile internet
device," said Tom Lantzsch, executive officer, Linaro, "We will
work with the open source community to ensure that the full extent of
Cortex-A15 technology is unleashed for use in Linux based devices."
"We are excited to see the launch of ARM's Cortex-A15 MPCore
high-performance processor. Its hardware support for virtualization and
its configurable multiprocessor design offer new possibilities for
Mentor's product offering across Android (News - Alert), Nucleus, Linux and 2D/3D user
interfaces," said Glenn Perry, general manager, embedded systems
division, Mentor Graphics. "Mentor is working closely with ARM to
address today's challenging design requirements. Our collaboration with
ARM, including the Nucleus® RTOS, Mentor Embedded Linux and EDGE Tools™
support for the ARM v7 architecture and the Cortex family of processors,
demonstrates our on-going commitment to enable our mutual customers to
achieve their product goals in more efficient ways."
"OK Labs, working closely with ARM, enthusiastically invests in and
consistently benefits from accompanying the evolution of the ARM
architecture," noted Steve Subar, CEO Open Kernel Labs. "The ARM
Cortex-A15 processor represents an opportunity for ongoing ROI in our
ecosystem by providing support for mobile virtualization and helping to
make virtualization technology even more accessible and mainstream."
"With its high-performance multicore design, the Cortex-A15 processor
will enable OEMs to create compelling products in many market segments
where QNX is a key provider of software solutions," said Kroy Zeviar,
alliance manager, QNX Software Systems. "The QNX® Neutrino® RTOS
provides a scalable, embeddable, networked, SMP-capable and
memory-protected real-time operating system that already runs across a
variety of ARM Cortex processors, and we look forward to adding
Cortex-A15 processor support to our product portfolio."
"The ARM Cortex-A15 processor provides an impressive blend of very high
performance with ARM's signature low-power credentials," said Oliver
Gunasekara, head of north america and semiconductor partners, Symbian®
Foundation. "Symbian and ARM have worked together for over a decade
to enable the mobile industry with over 385 million smartphones. This
new processor will open a whole new realm of opportunities for smart
mobile devices to replaces legacy x86 PCs."
"Our technical collaboration with ARM enabled Synopsys to develop
advanced implementation technologies for the Cortex A-15 processor with
ARM optimized physical IP," said John Chilton, senior vice president,
marketing & strategic development at Synopsys. "This will
enable lead licensees to take advantage of the structured datapath,
clock mesh and congestion reduction provided by the Synopsys Galaxy™
Implementation Platform to quickly implement optimized high-performance,
power-efficient SoCs for their new generation of leading-edge mobile and
consumer applications."
"Virtualization extensions on the new ARM processor technology
significantly elevate the role this new technology will play in defining
the next generation of mobile devices," said Glenda Dorchak, vice
chairman and CEO at VirtualLogix. "Combining our VLX technology
with the Cortex-A15 processor will enable mobile silicon vendors and
device manufactures to meet the demand for future handsets with multiple
personalities and operating systems significantly increasing
functionality, performance and security for both business and consumer
users."
"VMware is pleased that ARM is adding virtualization support directly in
its hardware solution," said Parag Patel, vice president, global
strategic alliances at VMware. "As mobile devices move beyond
communications to take on a more computational role, virtualization will
be increasingly critical to enable better security and improved
manageability of applications and data on these devices. VMware is
excited to work with ARM and its partner ecosystem to provide the most
advanced and robust virtualization-based solutions for mobile device
customers."
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