Momentum builds for next gen of ARM processors

CAMBRIDGE, UK: ARM is celebrating the signing of the 50th licensing agreement for its ARMv8-A technology, which includes support for 64-bit computing.

A total of 27 companies have signed agreements for the company’s ARMv8-A technology as industry momentum builds for greater compute capability across a wide range of applications. The ARMv8-A silicon partners include:

* All of the top 10 companies who sell application processors for smartphones.
* 9 of the top 10 application processor companies for tablets.
* 4 of the top 5 companies that provide chips for consumer electronics (including DTV and STB).
* 4 of the top 5 companies that provide chips for enterprise networking  and servers.
* 8 silicon vendors from Greater China.

The 50th licensing agreement demonstrates the continuing strength in demand for the company’s 64-bit-capable ARM Cortex®-A50 processor family and ARMv8 architecture licenses which will serve future digital devices and infrastructure deployments coping with more complex applications within strict power budgets.

“ARMv8-A technology brings multiple benefits, including 64-bit capability alongside improved efficiency of existing 32-bit applications,” said Noel Hurley, general manager, processor division, ARM. “Tablets and smartphones are quickly replacing PCs for many tasks and the ARMv8-A Cortex-A57 and Cortex-A53-based chips developed by our Partners support this transition with important enhancements in performance and efficiency. These ARMv8-A platforms are also fully backward compatible and will efficiently execute over a million 32-bit apps and extensive software assets already in use.”

The company began developing its ARMv8-A architecture design in 2007 as it foresaw the need for more powerful and energy efficient processors. First announced in November 2011, the cumulative 50 licenses are now spread across ARMv8-A architecture and ARM Cortex-A57 and Cortex-A53 processors. This is ensuring a vibrant and diverse roadmap for a new range of mobile and connected devices and infrastructure equipment.

ARM has signed more than 1100 license agreements for its processor designs and is working with around 350 international firms producing silicon chips for a range of devices from sensors to servers. The company announced recently that the 50 billionth chip containing an ARM processor had been shipped by partners and the momentum in 64-bit ARM architecture is a key component in the journey toward the next 100 billion chips.