STMicroelectronics Licenses ARM's First Extendable Platform Offering,
The PrimeXsys Wireless Platform
CAMBRIDGE, England, Sept. 5 /PRNewswire/ --
ARM [(LSE: ARM); (Nasdaq: ARMHY)], the industry's leading provider of
16/32-bit embedded RISC processor solutions, today introduced at Embedded
Systems Conference, Boston, its new family of PrimeXsys(TM) platforms. These
highly integrated, extendable platforms incorporate all the hardware, software
and integration tools necessary to enable ARM partners to easily develop a
wide range of ARM Powered(R) application-focused devices rapidly and with
minimal risk.
ARM PrimeXsys platforms extend ARM's current microprocessor offerings by
providing developers with a range of open architecture platforms. These
licensable open platforms are larger, integrated building blocks that lower
development risks by delivering pre-validated, application-targeted hardware
sub-systems along with all relevant application software and a wide range of
operating system (OS) ports.
A distinctive advantage of PrimeXsys platforms is that they include
innovative tools and methodologies to enable end-product differentiation.
This allows ARM Partners to reduce costs and shorten time-to-market by
focusing their resources on integrating additional differentiating
intellectual property (IP) to produce highly complex, market-ready devices.
ARM is also working closely with additional hardware and software
developers to ensure that their IP is available for PrimeXsys platforms.
"We have worked closely with silicon and OEM Partners to define this open
architecture platform, to ensure that developers can achieve optimum
differentiation while benefiting from a standard application platform," said
Peter Hicks, general manager of IP Solutions for ARM. "Having additional IP
pre-validated alongside the PrimeXsys platforms plays a critical role and will
significantly improve time-to-market for our Partners."
ARM's first offering is the PrimeXsys Wireless Platform, which supports
the development of applications including third-generation mobile phones and
personal digital assistants (PDAs). This new extendable platform has already
been licensed to STMicroelectronics, and is receiving strong industry support
from important players in the wireless market including Lineo, Microsoft,
Palm, Sun and Symbian.
"Time-to-market and costs are significant factors when developing new
systems and the PrimeXsys Wireless Platform will help minimize both," said Ian
Thornton, PrimeXsys product manager, ARM. "The new platform integrates all
the components necessary to boot a major operating system, and run
applications such as multimedia software and Java(TM) applets, while leaving
plenty of room for our licensees to add on additional IP such as a DSP, video
acceleration hardware, a USB and their own software applications."
The PrimeXsys Wireless Platform is based around the ARM926EJ-S(TM)
microprocessor core which includes ARM's Jazelle(TM) Java acceleration
technology. It incorporates key ARM PrimeCell(R) peripherals (e.g. LCD
controller, UARTS, etc), the ARM MOVE(TM) co-processor for video encoding and
the AMBA(TM) Multi-layer AHB system bus for maximizing throughput.
The PrimeXsys Wireless Platform will support all major operating systems
including Linux, Palm OS, Symbian OS and Windows CE. The platform also
includes state-of-the-art development tools to ease the integration of
differentiating IP.
Future PrimeXsys platforms will support the development of other
applications to provide a fully compatible roadmap for PrimeXsys technology.
Availability
The PrimeXsys Wireless Platform is available now from ARM. It is being
licensed under ARM's normal IP model for implementation within an application
specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or application specific standard product
(ASSP) design. The first PrimeXsys Wireless Platform samples will be
available from key ARM Partners in 1H02.
About ARM
ARM is the industry's leading provider of 16/32-bit embedded RISC
microprocessor solutions. The company licenses its high-performance, low-
cost, power-efficient RISC processors, peripherals, and System-on-Chip designs
to leading international electronics companies. ARM also provides
comprehensive support required in developing a complete system. ARM's
microprocessor cores are rapidly becoming the volume RISC standard in such
markets as portable communications, handheld computing, multimedia, digital
consumer and embedded solutions. More information on ARM is available at
http://www.arm.com .
ARM and PrimeCell are registered trademarks of ARM Limited. ARM926EJ-S,
Jazelle, PrimeXsys, MOVE and AMBA are trademarks of ARM Limited. All other
brands or product names are the property of their respective holders. "ARM" is
used to represent ARM Holdings plc (LSE: ARM and Nasdaq: ARMHY); its operating
company ARM Limited; and the regional subsidiaries ARM, INC.; ARM KK; ARM
Korea Ltd.; ARM Taiwan; and ARM France SAS.
Editor's Note:
The PrimeXsys(TM) platform is receiving strong industry support from
important players in the wireless market:
"ST is supporting and endorsing, as a lead partner, the PrimeXsys
initiative from ARM, as we believe that the only viable route to mobile
Internet is a really open platform that has the support of all major OS
vendors. PrimeXsys is now an essential part of ST's ongoing major mobile
multimedia development programs at ST, in which the company is capitalizing on
its unique proven IP portfolio, inherited from its world leadership in the
multimedia and wireless arenas."
Jean-Claude Michalina, General Manager of the Micro and DSP Division,
Telecommunications and Peripheral/Automotive Groups, STMicroelectronics
"Lineo, as the leading innovator of embedded Linux operating systems, is
proud to join this elite group of operating system vendors in support of the
ARM PrimeXsys Wireless Platform. Wireless device OEMs look to ARM for the
latest wireless technology and Lineo works closely with ARM to provide the
most advanced Linux-based solutions for wireless devices."
Bryan Sparks, CEO, Lineo
"Time-to-market is critical for embedded developers, and ARM's PrimeXsys
Wireless Platform will help them in this effort The PrimeXsys Wireless
Platform will enable embedded developers to focus their resources on porting
their differentiating IP, allowing them to more quickly bring to market their
smart Windows CE-based mobile devices."
Keith White, Senior Director of Marketing, Embedded and Appliance
Platforms Group, Microsoft
"Managing system complexity and accelerating market delivery are becoming
ever more important to the success of wireless devices, such as next
generation handhelds. The PrimeXsys Wireless Platform is an important step
towards achieving both those goals."
Gina Clark, VP, Platform Marketing, Palm
"We welcome this important initiative by our partner ARM and are working
with them closely to implement the PrimeXsys Wireless Platform for Symbian OS.
The PrimeXsys Wireless Platform will enable Symbian OS licensees to
significantly reduce their time-to-market with exciting, new mobile handsets."
Gilles Allain, Vice President, Account Management and Partnerships,
Symbian
"The integration of ARM Jazelle(TM) technology into the PrimeXsys platform
will be welcomed by OEMs looking to provide optimum Java performance, combined
with rapid time-to-market. The PrimeXsys Wireless platform is further
evidence of the widespread deployment of Java technology targeted specifically
at embedded applications in wireless or mobile devices."
Rich Green, Vice President and General Manager, Java and XML Software, Sun
Microsystems
For further information, please contact Michelle Spencer of ARM,
+44 1628 427780, michelle.spencer@arm.com; or Patrick Hall of The Townsend
Agency, +1-858-457-4888 ext. 112, phall@townsendagency.com, for ARM.
SOURCE ARM
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Related links:
http://www.arm.com
CONTACT:
Michelle Spencer of ARM, +44 1628 427780,
michelle.spencer@arm.com; or Patrick Hall of The Townsend Agency,
+1-858-457-4888 ext. 112, phall@townsendagency.com, for ARM
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