ARM, (LSE:ARM);(Nasdaq:ARMHY), today disclosed technical details of its new ARMv7 architecture, at the Embedded Systems Conference in San Francisco, Calif. The new ARMv7 architecture defines three distinct processor profiles: the A profile for sophisticated, virtual memory-based OS and user applications; the R profile for real-time systems; and the M profile optimized for microcontroller and low-cost applications. New processors compliant with the ARMv7 architecture will enable systems designers to intelligently match the CPU to their chosen application target, optimizing performance, power consumption, code size, and silicon cost.

ARM is working with key members of the ARM(R) Connected Community to ensure broad support for the ARMv7 architecture. This program embraces operating systems, third-party tools and EDA vendors, including Cadence, Green Hills, IAR, Lauterbach, MontaVista, Synopsys and Wind River.

The new ARM Cortex(TM) processor family is ARMv7 architecture-compliant and extends the range of size and performance points from less than 33k gates for the ARM Cortex-M series, to high performance cores for the ARM Cortex-A series. The ARMv7 architecture ensures compatibility with earlier generations of ARM processors preserving software investments and providing a migration path for existing system designs.

"The market for microprocessors continues to diversify, based on the evolving demands of applications including wireless, home entertainment, automotive and microcontrollers," said Max Baron, principal analyst, Microprocessor Report, In-Stat. "ARM core families sharing the ARMv7 architecture will cover the widening spectrum of embedded processing. ARM should no longer just be considered a vendor of the cell phone core. Using the ARMv7 architecture, ARM can strengthen its position as a low-power/performance leader while conquering new markets to carry its cores up in high performance and down in the low-cost high-volume domain of the microcontroller. With OptimoDE(TM), Cortex, and NEON(TM) technologies, and the recent acquisitions of Artisan and Axys, ARM has mapped for itself an aggressive route on its way to success."

"ARM has always collaborated closely with our Partners in the evolution and advancement of the ARM architecture. Our industry-leading Partners requested that we take application-specific market needs into account in the ARMv7 architecture and that is exactly what we have done," said Mike Muller, CTO, ARM. "This strategy is now receiving widespread endorsement and we have taken care to ensure that it is compatible with 20 years of ARM innovation."

ARM development tool support for ARMv7 architecture-based processors will be provided in ARM RealView(R) tools. "RealView tools will enable designers to model, create virtual prototypes, compile software, debug, validate and test ARMv7 architecture-compliant systems," said Bryn Parry, general manager, Development Systems, ARM. "Software and systems developers depend on the early availability of integrated tools supporting the latest architectural features in order to create leading-edge systems products."

The new ARMv7 architecture builds upon the success of the ARMv6 architecture, implemented in the award winning ARM11(TM) processor family. All ARMv7 architecture profiles implement Thumb(R)-2 technology which is built on the foundation of the ARM industry-leading Thumb code compression technology, while retaining complete code compatibility with existing ARM solutions. Thumb-2 technology uses 31 percent less memory than pure 32-bit code to reduce system cost, while at the same time delivering up to 38 percent better performance than existing Thumb technology-based solutions. The ARMv7 architecture also includes the NEON technology extensions to increase DSP and media processing throughput by up to 400 percent, and offers improved floating-point support to address the needs of next- generation 3D graphics and games physics, as well as traditional embedded control applications. The ARMv7 architecture also features improved execution environment support to match the increasing use of JIT and DAC technology.

The new ARM Cortex processor family is aligned with the ARMv7 architecture profiles and will include processors for complex OS, real-time, and microcontroller applications. The ARM Cortex-A series is designed for demanding consumer entertainment and wireless products running operating systems such as Linux, Windows CE operating system, and Symbian OS. The ARM Cortex-R series addresses the needs of systems running real-time operating systems for control applications including automotive, networking, and imaging. The ARM Cortex-M series is designed to meet the increasing performance requirements of extremely cost-sensitive embedded applications such as microcontrollers, automotive body systems, and white goods. The first member of the ARM Cortex-M series, the ARM Cortex-M3 processor, was announced at the ARM Developers' Conference in October 2004.

The ARMv7 architecture is designed to ensure software compatibility with earlier generations of ARM processors. The ARM Cortex-M series supports Thumb-2 instructions, a superset of the existing Thumb instructions, and will execute existing Thumb code written for earlier processors. User code written for the ARM Cortex-M series processors can be 100 percent compatible with ARM Cortex-R series microprocessors providing a forward migration path. ARM Cortex-M series system code, such as real time operating systems, can be easily ported to ARM Cortex-R series-based systems. The ARM Cortex-A and -R series processors additionally support the ARM 32-bit instruction set for full backwards compatibility with earlier ARM processors ranging from the ARM7TDMI(R) processor introduced in 1995, up to the latest ARM11 processor family.

The ARMv7 Architecture Specifications

A set of specifications describing all aspects of the ARMv7A architecture and ARMv7R architecture are available now to customers under NDA. Details of the ARMv7M architecture can be shared under NDA too.

The ARM Cortex Family Availability

In addition to the ARM Cortex-M3 product previously announced, a number of ARM Cortex microprocessors that implement the ARMv7 architecture will be available during Q4 2005 and Q1 2006. Further product specific announcements that outline specific implementation aspects of the designs will be made closer to that time