ARM Licenses Latest Chip Designs to Intel, TI

Posted By: Ed Tuesday, July 31, 2001 10:29:29 AM

ARM Holdings has licensed to Intel and Texas Instruments its ARMv6 architecture, its next-generation of designs for high-performance, low-power microprocessor cores. ARM didn't release many details on the new design but did say that it offers improved support for multi-processor handhelds and better performance all around.

Last week, Palm announced that Intel and TI would be taking part in its Palm OS Ready program, in which ARM-based chips by these companies would be made ready to to run OS 5.0. Motorola is also part of this.

ARM Holdings doesn't actually make any microprocessors itself. They design processor cores and license the designs to other companies.

Motorola recently announced its first processor with an ARM core: the Dragonball MX1. It offers speeds up to 200 MHz. Also, it provides an on-chip Bluetooth-ready applications processor, MMC/SD and MemoryStick host controllers, embedded SRAM, and an USB device controller.

Intel is developing a line of ARM-based microprocessors called XScale. It is currently planning on releasing the first XScale chip in September, which will operate at between 300-400 MHz. The chip is manufactured on Intel's 0.18-micron process technology.

Naturally, as they have only recently licenced ARMv6, neither of these chips will have it included in its designs. It will be several years before ARMv6-based processes see the light of day. ARM Holdings plans to offer more details on the new architecture at Instat/MDR's Microprocessor Forum in October.

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Multi Proccessor Palm?

I.M. Anonymous @ 7/31/2001 1:18:43 PM #

Although undenyably sexy, I am trying to imagine why I would need a multi-proccessor palm?

RE: Multi Proccessor Palm?

I.M. Anonymous @ 7/31/2001 1:51:34 PM #

Doesn't the N710C qualify as a multi-processor Palm? Does that digital signal processor thingummy count as a separate processor?

RE: Multi Proccessor Palm?

I.M. Anonymous @ 7/31/2001 3:19:28 PM #

You will need a multi-processor platform to run the upcoming "Mr. Fusion" springboard module.

RE: Multi Proccessor Palm?

I.M. Anonymous @ 7/31/2001 4:43:29 PM #

What's Mr. Fusion?
Nuculear power for your Visor?
That would be nice for the Visors that lack rechargable batteries.

RE: Multi Proccessor Palm?

I.M. Anonymous @ 7/31/2001 4:52:33 PM #

Mr. Fusion actually serves three purposes. Mr. Fusion charges the batteries in most handhelds, and in the case of the m505 will operate in "Star Mode" to provide enough light to make the screen look nice. As an added bonus, you get to use the fusion byproduct of helium to make your bands in MP3 sound like chipmunks!

Side Effects of Mr. Fusion

I.M. Anonymous @ 7/31/2001 6:19:34 PM #

Yes - Mr. Fusion will be an excellent alternate source of power for your Palm BUT what about the side effects?? Do you really want 2 irradiated glow-balls hanging between your legs???

RE: Multi Proccessor Palm?

I.M. Anonymous @ 8/1/2001 1:38:31 PM #

The Mr. Fusion Springboard module will be great and all, allowing me to power my Visor from everyday household garbage, but will I be able to add the flux capacitor necessary to turn my Visor into a time machine? And how will I get the Visor up to 88 mph so I can actually do the time jump?

"No Marty, you're not thinking fourth-dimensionally..."

RE: Multi Proccessor Palm?

I.M. Anonymous @ 8/1/2001 1:42:54 PM #

But, can you immagine a Beowulf cluster of these babies?

No no, this sucker's electrical...

Quik_Fix @ 8/1/2001 2:59:02 PM #

But I need a nuclear reaction in order to generate the 1.21 gigawatts necessary to activate the flux capacitor...

1.21 GIGAWATTS! GREAT SCOTT!

Multi processor CLIÉ

I.M. Anonymous @ 7/31/2001 5:02:26 PM #

The CLIÉ N710C has a separate DSP; it's not really a multi processor device -- you wouldn't look at a PC with a Sound Blaster or a 3D accelerator as a multi processor system, would you?