ARM Ltd. is shipping “physical IP” for a synthesizable ARM11 core implemented in 90nm process technology that it expects to clock above 750MHz, while drawing less than 500mW of power and occupying just 2.4 square millimeters of die space. The “high speed” ARM1176JZF-S processor runs standard ARM Linux, and targets consumer and wireless devices such as digital TVs, set-top-boxes, games consoles, and mobile… phones.

ARM originally introduced the ARM1176JZF-S processor in October, 2003, touting the design's “Intelligent Energy Manager” (IEM), high-speed memory bus, integrated Java byte-code and vector floating-point (VFP) coprocessors, as well as its compatibility with the company's TrustZone pre-boot environment. On 0.13-micron processes, the core would deliver “worst-case” clock rates of 333 to 550MHz, ARM said at the time.

The new die-shrink from 0.13-micron to 90nm process technology is available as what ARM calls a “physical IP product” comprised of “Advantage” cell libraries and memories for TSMC's (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's) “90GT” process. ARM acquired its Advantage product portfolio through the acquisition of physical IP specialist Artisan, about a year ago.

ARM says that a 750MHz ARM11 design built using its Advantage libraries and memories should be capable of delivering 920 Dhrystone MIPS (millions of instructions per second), which it calls an “industry leading figure.” The company also touts the processor's support for existing applications and OSes — including embedded Linux — without software re-design or even re-compilation. The processor also supports Symbian and Windows CE.

ARM's EVP of business development, Mike Inglis, stated, “The ARM processor business and the physical IP business acquired from Artisan have worked together to create a best-in-class 90nm design for semiconductor partners serving the high volume digital consumer market.”

ARM's VP of marketing, John Cornish, stated, “The ARM Advantage library and memories combined with the ARM1176JZF-S processor [provide] a higher level of performance with full software compatibility.”

Availability

The ARM1176JZF-S processor core has been available for several years. Advantage cell library and memories for TSMC's (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's) 90GT process are available now as well.

Artisan previously supplied Advantage libraries and memories for ARM's A8 processor, in conjunction with ARM's launch of the A8 last October. At that time, ARM said the A8 could outperform then-available ARM11 processors by 2-3 times at a given power.

 
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