Отправлено PicoDev2 09 марта 2005 г. 23:43

Actel and ARM Sign Landmark Agreement to Bring ARM7 Processor Family to Burgeoning FPGA Market

Representing the first time an ARM(R) processor has been licensed to a programmable logic vendor for implementation as a "soft" IP core, Actel Corporation and ARM announced at the Embedded Systems Conference (ESC), San Francisco, that the two companies have collaborated to provide a 32-bit ARM7(TM) Thumb(R) family microprocessor to Actel's broad FPGA customer base. As part of the agreement, Actel will develop a family of ARM technology-enabled FPGA products. The initial devices will be introduced in 2005.

With the establishment of this partnership, Actel will take the unique step of delivering to developers a soft ARM7 family implementation for use in several of Actel's FPGA families. Targeting the fastest growing market for design-ins, this move will create the first soft core FPGA version of the ARM7 family microprocessor that can be leveraged across applications ranging from high-volume consumer applications to high-performance, high-reliability products. As a consequence, programmable logic users will be able to access ASIC-like design flexibility, with broad third-party support and trusted IP, as well as the added programmability and security benefits of Actel FPGAs.

"For the first time, ARM can provide FPGA designers the flexibility of a soft IP core thanks to the built-in security of Actel's flash- and antifuse-based FPGAs," said Mike Inglis, executive vice president, marketing, ARM. "With this unique collaboration, the ARM7 family can now be designed into FPGA-based consumer products; FPGA development platforms for ASICs and prototyping; and especially for applications where low volumes have previously precluded the use of ARM processors."

Entries into the Field-Configurable Standard Product (FCSP) market continue on the rise, with two new companies announcing products targeted at this market, this week alone. For additional information on this market, and its associated technology, refer to report number IN0501917DE, entitled "Field-Configurable Standard Products (FCSPs): Configure It Your Way," published this month. This market represents a unique opportunity for a number of companies in the future, and in particular, for those already in possession of FPGA technology.
You will be able to view this report, as well as the rest of In-Stat's ASIC/ASSP & Intellectual Property research at:
http://www.instat.com/catalog/Scatalogue.asp?id=19

Jerry Worchel - Principal Analyst
ASIC/ASSP & Intellectual Property
jworchel@reedbusiness.com