| ARM aims new processor core at high-end devices |
Oct. 04, 2007
ARM Ltd has started shipping a multicore-enabled version of its top-of-the-line application processor core, intended for high-end embedded devices. The "Cortex A9" will support four-way architectures, clockspeeds over 1GHz, and single-core applications requiring four times the performance of ARM11 within a 250mW power envelope, ARM claims.
The A9 succeeds ARM's A8 core, introduced two years ago at the high end of ARM's "Cortex A" portfolio of processor cores. The A8 in turn succeeded ARM11, which just within the last year has started to appear in shipping consumer devices such as mobile phones.
Like the A8, the A9 core is touted as having a similar power envelop and silicon cost to ARM11, while delivering lots more performance -- three times more, in the case of the A8, and "four to 16 times more," in the case of the A9.
Unlike the A8, the A9 arrives with support from the outset for ARM's MPCore interconnect technology. MPCore technology can support SoC (system-on-chip) designs with up to four A9 cores, initially.
ARM Cortex A9 in MPCore configuration
(Click to enlarge)
Used standalone, on the other hand, the A9 will offer about 2,000 DMIPS (Dhrystone MIPS) of performance, within the same 250mW power budget found in today's handsets and set-top boxes, ARM claims -- presumably referring to devices based on ARM11 cores built on process technology smaller than 90nm.
ARM Cortex A9 in single-core configuration
(Click to enlarge)
The A8 core was selected by Broadcom for use in unspecified SoCs earlier this year, and will begin to ship in consumer devices later this year and early next year, ARM said. The A9 reportedly has amassed customer wins that include NEC Electronics, NVIDIA, Samsung, STMicroelectronics, and TI, with product shipments not expected before 2009, however.
ARM says the A9 is compatible with other Cortex family processors, and with software, middleware, and operating systems developed for them. ARM's own compatible intellectual property is said to include Neon media processing engine, Thumb-2 8- and 16-bit instructions, TrustZone pre-boot security features, Jazelle Java acceleration, Mali graphics, and the Program Trace Macrocell, potentially enabling use with the recently announced RealView Profiler dynamic code analysis tools.
Additional touted features and specs include:- Dynamic length, 8-stage superscalar, multi-issue pipeline with speculative out-of-order execution
- Can execute up to four instructions per cycle in devices clocked at more than 1GHz
- Available with ARM Advantage standard cells and memories "for a traditional and convenient synthesizable flow
- 1.5 square mm of silicon area, when implemented on TSMC's 65nm process technology
In a statement released by ARM, IDC analyst Mario Morales commented, "Multicore support for the Cortex family will help extend the range in performance and power to support the growing demand for converged services and devices."
Mike Inglis, executive VP of marketing at ARM, added, "The Cortex-A9 processors will allow innovation with efficient, cost-sensitive uniprocessor and high-performance multicore implementations for end equipment in the 2009/10 timeframe."
Availability
The Cortex-A9 single core and MPCore processors are available for licensing now, along with supporting products such as ARM's RealView SoC Designer, RealView System Generator, CoreSight debugging tools, and RealView Development Suite, and Trace/ICE hardware tools. Pricing was not disclosed.
Related Stories:
(Click here for further information)
|
|
|
7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.
4 Legal Reasons to Control Internet Access
The Internet is obviously a valuable resource for many organizations. However, many are exposed to legal liability concerns because they fail to control Internet access. Learn if you're safe in this white paper.
Rapidly Resolve J2EE Application Problems
Whether you are in the process of building J2EE applications or have J2EE applications already running in production, you must ensure that they deliver the expected ROI. Learn how in this white paper.
Load Testing 2.0 for Web 2.0
There are many unknowns in stress testing Web 2.0 applications. Find out how to test the performance of Web 2.0 in this white paper.
Build Better Games Online
For the game infrastructure providers, life is complex. Making money from games has become more complicated. Why? Find out in this white paper.
Building a Virtual Infrastructure from Servers to Storage
This white paper discusses the virtual storage solutions that reduce cost, increase storage utilization, and address the challenges of backing up and restoring Server environments.
Gaining Faster Wireless Connections with WiMAX
Welcome to what is quickly becoming the hyperconnected world where anything that would benefit from being connected to the network will be connected. Learn more in this white paper.
Is Your Desktop a Security Threat?
The new wave of sophisticated crimeware not only targets specific companies, but also targets desktops and laptops as backdoor entryways into those business’ operations and resources. Learn how to stay safe in this white paper.
Increasing SAN Reliability by 100 Percent
Storage area networks (SAN) are a strong part of storage plans. Learn how to increase your reliability and uptime by 100 percent in this case study.
|
|
|
|
|
Use of this site is governed by our Terms of
Service and Privacy Policy.
Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2008
Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is
prohibited. Windows is a trademark or registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries and is used by WindowsForDevices under license from owner. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. WindowsForDevices is an independent publication not affiliated with Microsoft Corporation.
news feed