Synopsys announces Android OS support for DesignWare ARC processor cores

MOUNTAIN VIEW, USA: Synopsys Inc. has announced Android operating system (v2.2 FroYo) support for the DesignWare ARC 750D processor core.

The DesignWare ARC 750D host processor, which runs at 1.1 GHz and delivers 1800 DMIPs in an industry standard 40-nanometer (nm) process, is an ideal choice for designers requiring a high-performance, low-power and cost-effective microprocessor to drive Android-based applications.

The DesignWare ARC 750D processor now allows designers to leverage the extensive, existing software and applications available for the Android operating system. Furthermore, designers are able to configure the processor hardware and application software to differentiate their products in the market.

The DesignWare ARC 750D offers a broad range of processor, DSP and floating point capabilities, enabling designers to address a wide range of processing requirements with a single host application processor.

Using a single processor simplifies the design, lowers silicon-area and enables faster debug of the chip. In addition, Synopsys offers designers a full suite of software and development tools to ease program development and debug. Shipped in more than 550 million ICs annually, Synopsys' high-quality DesignWare ARC processors can be integrated into system-on-chip (SoC) designs with less risk and improved time-to-market.

"Synopsys' DesignWare ARC 750D processor core with support for the Android operating system enabled us to easily integrate Android-based applications into our SoC early in the design process," said Robert Chen, president of AVID. "By using Synopsys' configurable DesignWare ARC 750D processor, we are able to produce a high-performance, low-power solution that is helping deliver next-generation Android-based products reliably to the marketplace."

"The next-generation of consumer products requires support for very high-performance multimedia applications," said John Koeter, vice president of marketing for the Solutions Group at Synopsys. "The DesignWare ARC 750D with support for the Android OS, combined with our complementary audio and video subsystem solutions, gives designers a comprehensive IP solution for their multimedia application needs from a single, trusted IP provider."

The DesignWare ARC 750D processor is available now. Support for the Android operating system is available now for early adopters, and will be in general availability during Q3 2011.