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Thu, Dec 31, 2009 - 08:48 AM EST — AAPL: 211.64 (+2.54, +1.21%) | NASDAQ: 2291.28 (+2.88, +0.13%)

ARM announces 2GHz-capable Cortex-A9 dual core processor implementation

Wednesday, September 16, 2009 - 04:17 PM EST

ARM announced today the development of two Cortex-A9 MPCore hard macro implementations for the TSMC 40nm-G process, enabling silicon manufacturers to have a rapid and low-risk route to silicon for high-performance, low-power Cortex-A9 processor-based devices. The speed-optimized hard macro implementation will enable devices to operate at frequencies greater than 2GHz.

The dual core hard macro implementations are the result of ARM’s significant investment in advanced physical IP development in unison with processor and fabric IP technology, and leading-edge implementation flows from the EDA industry. Advanced physical IP techniques have enabled critical circuits within the design to be replaced with highly tuned logic cells and memories, increasing performance while lowering overall power consumption.

Speed Optimized
The Cortex-A9 speed-optimized hard macro implementation will provide system designers with an industry standard ARM processor incorporating aggressive low-power techniques to further extend ARM’s performance leadership into high-margin consumer and enterprise devices within the power envelope necessary for compact, high-density and thermally constrained environments. This hard macro implementation operates in excess of 2GHz when selected from typical silicon and represents an ideal solution for high-margin performance-oriented applications.

Power Optimized
In many thermally constrained applications such as set-top boxes, DTVs, printers and other feature-rich consumer and high-density enterprise applications, energy efficiency is of paramount importance. The Cortex-A9 power-optimized hard macro implementation delivers its peak performance of 4000 DMIPS while consuming less than 250mW per CPU when selected from typical silicon.
The hard macro implementations include ARM AMBA-compliant high performance system components to maximize data traffic speed and minimize power consumption and silicon area. Each Cortex-A9 hard macro implementation also includes the CoreSight Program Trace Macrocell (PTM) which provides full visibility into the processor’s instruction flow, enabling the software community to develop code for optimal performance.

“The Cortex-A9 MPCore processor has already been widely accepted as the processor of choice for high-performance embedded applications across a broad spectrum of demanding consumer and enterprise devices,” said Eric Schorn, VP marketing, Processor Division, ARM, in the press release. “ARM’s parallel development of advanced, optimized physical IP components demonstrates a new level of collaborative differentiation while enabling our Partners to expand their penetration into high margin domains traditionally occupied by proprietary architectures.”

“ARM’s long-standing investment in low-power leadership and ability to develop such high-performance devices enables licensees to lower the cost and risk of entering the high-margin markets currently addressed with competing proprietary solutions,” said Will Strauss, principal analyst at Forward Concepts, in the press release. “With single-thread performance capable of supporting very intensive workloads, the unprecedented level of power efficiency will enable licensees to introduce compelling new products.”

“ARM and TSMC have enjoyed a long standing relationship of collaboration to ensure the development and delivery of best-in-class products optimized for our manufacturing process,” said ST Juang, Sr. Director, Design Infrastructure Marketing Division, TSMC, in the press release. “This provides OEMs developing feature-rich consumer and enterprise devices access to TSMC’s manufacturing excellence and the power of ARM processor IP”

Both ARM dual core Cortex-A9 hard macros will share a common seven-power domain, dual-NEON™ technology configuration supporting SMP (symmetrical multiprocessing) operating systems with up to 8MB of Level2 cache memory and will be delivered with all scripts, vectors and libraries required to integrate the macro directly within any SoC device.

To enable the development of high-efficiency, low risk SoCs using other Cortex-A9 processor configurations, ARM also provides the silicon-proven SoC-level ARM Physical IP platform used to build these hard macros, and a range of AMBA-compliant system development components and tools.

In addition, the ARM Active Assist consulting service, developed in conjunction with the hard macros, enables ARM Partners to efficiently integrate the hardened macro into their SoC design to realize maximum system performance with lowest risk and fastest time-to-market.

Availability
The Cortex-A9 hard macros and the corresponding optimized physical IP used to develop the speed-optimized and power-optimized implementations are available for license today with delivery in the fourth quarter of 2009. ARM’s 40G physical IP platform is also available today at designstart.arm.com.

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. More information on ARM is available at http://www.arm.com.

Source: ARM Limited

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Sep 16, 09 - 03:32 pm Comment from: boulderfrog

I almost made it to the third paragraph before my brain melted.

Sep 16, 09 - 03:34 pm Comment from: RePlay

For anyone who understands this, please post where this chip will show up and what its benefits will be. Thank you in advance. I'll check back later.

Sep 16, 09 - 03:34 pm Comment from: Gomer37

What? No MDN take? Their brains must have melted too!

Sep 16, 09 - 03:45 pm Comment from: Beowulf

I stopped after 2Ghz. Couldn't understand anything else!

Sep 16, 09 - 03:45 pm Comment from: Jubei

It means that Zunes is still a POS!

Sep 16, 09 - 03:46 pm Comment from: breeze

http://www.macrumors.com/2009/09/16/arm-announces-dual-core-cortex-a9-processor-designs/

Sep 16, 09 - 03:50 pm Comment from: KingMel

My brain tends to melt anytime I read press release posing as an article (Source: ARM Limited).

One would reasonably expect some MDN commentary on the relevance/potential for implementation of this ARM processor on Apple mobile hardware, such as the iPhone, as a follow-up to this press release.

The biggest question in my mind is the state of progress on Apple-specific products at PA Semi. My guess is that Apple is just treading water with incremental ARM processor speed updates in the iPhone and iPod touch until their PA Semi investment bears fruit. Then you will see Apple mobile devices take a big leap in performance, graphics, and battery life that other "smartphone" makers will not be able to duplicate.

Sep 16, 09 - 04:06 pm Comment from: SAB

If the price is low enough, look for new Linux netbooks and tablets to begin surfacing. Windows does not run on ARM, and MS says that it is refusing to port it. This will open the door for Linux and Apple to step into fully-functional, low-cost computers that have great battery life, and aren't hobbled by slow processors that are based on old technology (Intel Atom). Both Linux and Apple are built for SMP and with OpenCL & Grand Central Station open sourced, both will be far ahead of anything MS can do in this market. Apple always skates to where the puck is going to be. Look for MS to spend the next two years talking about the next generation WinCE that will be built from the ground up with SMP support, and all kinds of other "advanced" features. Then they'll release a patched-together version of the existing CE kernel that barely functions, and they'll introduce it like it was the greatest innovation since the PC. By then, Apple will have a much larger chunk of the market, and they will be introducing the next great revolution in computing. Linux will be where Apple is now in terms of market share, and MS will start writing apps for the Linux platform.

Schadenfreude is very satisfying sometimes.

Sep 16, 09 - 04:08 pm Comment from: i

Who cares what was said...just will it fit into the iPhone/iPod??

Sep 16, 09 - 04:11 pm Comment from: donuts

uh, what?
i'm sleepy...

Homer says, Change the channel, Marge!

Sep 16, 09 - 04:18 pm Comment from: Deus Ex Technica

You had me at "hard macro implementations for the TSMC 40nm-G process".

Sep 16, 09 - 04:21 pm Comment from: TowerTone

The way I read it, ARM gotta leg up.

Sep 16, 09 - 04:24 pm Comment from: dd

It means I'm smart for continuing to buy ARMH.

Sep 16, 09 - 04:36 pm Comment from: GRANDxADMIRAL

Vere does zee Russian General keep his ARMies?
Up his SLEEVEies.

Sep 16, 09 - 04:40 pm Comment from: Cowboy

Could this be used in the iTablet?

Sep 16, 09 - 05:11 pm Comment from: Sir Gill Bates

What the heck is wrong with MDN?!

They should know that we can't comprehend this kinda stuff. I can't stay focused on anything more than three paragraphs long unless it includes pictures of hot chicks.

Sep 16, 09 - 05:24 pm Comment from: The Truth

Now we know why tech (and medical) marketing is just about the worst job you can have as a creative (person).

Sep 16, 09 - 05:36 pm Comment from: Mr. Reeee

And what does all that mean in English?

2Ghz dual-core iPhones and iPod touches for Xmas?

PLEASE, Santa, please!

Sep 16, 09 - 05:37 pm Comment from: Mr. Reeee

OOPS, maybe I should say, what does that mean in American. Preferably in single syllable words ONLY.

Have a nice day.

Sep 16, 09 - 05:54 pm Comment from: zek

Those who say they can't understand this, it's because it is marketing speak, not techno-speak. At least with techno-speak you can figure out what it means with some effort. This doesn't mean anything at all.

There are a lot of people like this about, and that is why the zune has a market. It is bought by the kind of people who write this kind of crap,

Sep 16, 09 - 06:11 pm Comment from: G4Dualie

I'll tell you what it all means, this brand of ARM processor will be programmed with logic, data and memory and will be used to perform very specific routines and functions.

They'll toast, cool, regulate, download, get the mail AND do your windows!

You'll soon you'll see them in kit-form and I'm sure the DRM crowd will want more information.

Sep 16, 09 - 08:07 pm Comment from: ken1w

That was one of the most insane press releases I have tried to read, ever.

This is the first HALF of the first sentence of the first paragraph:

"ARM announced today the development of two Cortex-A9 MPCore hard macro implementations for the TSMC 40nm-G process..."

That really makes me want to read the rest of the press release. Did they get one of their engineers to write it? I mean, it doesn't even have the typical press release buzz words. Oh, I guess that's actually a good thing...

Sep 16, 09 - 08:23 pm Comment from: LeeSweet

Okay, part of this says the chip goes faster using less battery power (good) while producing less heat (also good, as we iPhone users know). The more speed at the same power levels, the longer the battery lasts, or same battery for more speed or the more of both you can use.

Sep 16, 09 - 08:26 pm Comment from: Dan Drums

I assume then this is a good thing. We'll leave it at that!

Sep 17, 09 - 01:43 am Comment from: Si

It means that future ipods might turn on their masters..

Sep 17, 09 - 04:59 am Comment from: spyinthesky

From what I have understood about this processor that it won't appear in an iPhone/Touch any time soon and perhaps not in this incarnation at all. Too hot as it stands most likely. It will be the basis however for the chips for the next incarnation however, be it a PA Semi or pure Arm designed. These will no doubt be developed versions that are more economical powerwise which will fit in with the likely next upgrade for those products. Present iPhones use the Cortex A-8 and underclocked at that so i think we can se that no immediate move to this design is likely.

However it is ideal for larger devices and I think that the Tablet with PA Semi re worked A-9 based processors are indeed most likely especially as the time scale if I am not misjudging it looks in keeping.

Sep 17, 09 - 05:32 am Comment from: Johnny

For the confused ones . . .

Up until recently, if you wanted to have a small device, like a netbook, to have it fit you had use a shit processor. This is a VERY small and low power option that allows in theory the same speed as a desktop in something like a iphone or itablet.

This could give the new iTablet some super fast power while also having a great battery life. Hell, at these speeds they could put them in macbooks for little or no performance loss but for greatly increased battery life.

Sep 17, 09 - 06:13 am Comment from: Ha, ha

Typically MDN includes a brief comment or sarcastic remark with articles. May I suggest an appropriate response for the piece above,.

"MDN take: Umm, duh, uh."

Sep 17, 09 - 10:37 am Comment from: LiM

They couldn't even manage that.

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Thu, Dec 31, 2009 - 08:48 AM EST — AAPL: 211.64 (+2.54, +1.21%) | NASDAQ: 2291.28 (+2.88, +0.13%)

ARM announces 2GHz-capable Cortex-A9 dual core processor implementation

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Current Headlines

Thu, Dec 31, 2009 - 08:48 AM EST — AAPL: 211.64 (+2.54, +1.21%) | NASDAQ: 2291.28 (+2.88, +0.13%)

ARM announces 2GHz-capable Cortex-A9 dual core processor implementation

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