Xilinx and ARM announce development collaboration

SAN JOSE, USA & CAMBRIDGE, UK: Xilinx Inc. and ARM are collaborating to enable ARM processor and interconnect technology on Xilinx FPGAs.

Xilinx is adopting ARM Cortex processor IP, using performance-optimized ARM cell libraries and embedded memories for their future programmable platforms. In addition, ARM and Xilinx are working to define the next-generation ARM AMBA interconnect technology that is enhanced and optimized for FPGA architectures.

The agreement underscores Xilinx’s commitment to adopt the complete range of ARM technology, leveraging ARM’s processor strengths to provide customers and ecosystem developers with flexible computing platforms where their IP and software development can be shared and re-used on a broad scale.

This is expected to allow programmable solutions to penetrate even deeper into existing markets and expand into new market spaces. Ideal applications will span the communications, automotive, consumer, aerospace, defense and industrial markets.

“Time-to-market pressures and escalating product development costs are driving the development of a new category of products that combines the processor-centric design methods and open standards common in system-on-chip designs, with programmable logic flexibility,” said ARM chief technology officer, Mike Muller.

“By combining ARM’s leadership in low-power, high-performance processor and physical IP technology and its Connected Community ecosystem, with Xilinx’s expertise in FPGA technology, we can accelerate the development of applications across a broad set of markets for software developers and hardware designers alike.”

“While Xilinx’s adoption of ARM processor technology provides a robust roadmap for FPGA-based architectures, the collaboration and joint definition of the next-generation AMBA interconnect specification will deliver the optimization necessary to achieve the system performance, integration, reuse, and scalability required in these products,” said Nick Tredennick, a technology analyst for Gilder Publishing.

“It provides a common technology basis for IP and system solutions to be developed, scaled, exchanged and shared in a way that will have a profound influence on the programmable logic industry.”

To help create a more optimal ecosystem serving both Xilinx FPGA and ARM IP technologies, the two companies are already working with a number of IP providers and EDA vendors including Cadence, CAST, Denali, Mentor Graphics, Northwest Logic, Omiino, Sarance, Synopsys and Xylon to support an advanced version of the AMBA specification, the de facto standard for on-chip fabric communication, which is closely aligned to ARM processors.

Not only will this new interconnect simplify and extend the capabilities of next generation programmable platforms using the world's leading 32-bit processor IP, but the definition of the standard is aligned with the ‘Socketable IP’ aspect of the Xilinx Targeted Design Platform strategy.

Because IP re-use is an essential component in reducing system development costs and timescales, this innovative plug-and-play approach means that IP developed by Xilinx and its ecosystem can be easily used without requiring the user to make a huge investment in vendor support.

“With open, standards-based solutions from Xilinx, we will enable our customers to further focus on their core solutions and differentiation through their IP while re-using established solutions from within and/or from ecosystem providers,” said Xilinx senior vice president of World Wide Marketing and Business Development, Vin Ratford.

“We also believe this approach will foster a vibrant and robust ecosystem that will expand to provide both standard and emerging IP solutions that can be applied across many industry segments.”