Rapidly extending ARM reach into the "8/16-bit" domain

December 09, 2009 — ARM announced today that the Cortex™-M0 processor is the fastest licensing ARM® processor, having secured 15 licenses already this year, with more predicted by the end of 2009. Cortex-M0 was released just nine months ago.

Almost half of the licensees are new to ARM, reflecting the fact that the Cortex-M0 has succeeded in broadening the ARM® Partner base to vendors in what were traditionally considered 8/16-bit domains, while also complementing the ARM Cortex processor portfolios of a number of existing major ARM Partners such as lead licensee NXP.

The Cortex-M0 processor achieves smaller code-size, better energy-efficiency and higher performance than 8 and 16-bit microprocessors, while offering a future-proof roadmap and broad tools and OS support. This has prompted many of the new licensees, like Triad, Melfas and austriamicrosystems, to take the opportunity to move from 8-bit to the Cortex-M0 processor.

The success of the Cortex-M0 processor has enabled ARM to secure design wins in new market areas, including mixed signal, touch-screen control, flash card, system-on-chip (SoC) control and finite state-machine (FSM) replacement.

The Cortex-M0 processor is the most recent addition to the ARM Cortex-M series of processors, aimed at low-power, high-performance embedded applications. Its sister processor, the higher performance Cortex-M3 processor now has more than 35 licensees and together with Cortex-M0 is spearheading ARM’s rapid growth into the domain of 8/16-bit embedded devices.

WHO:
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.



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