Cirrus Logic Becomes ARM Powered
MILPITAS, Calif. — December 7, 1993 — Advanced RISC Machines Ltd. (ARM) and Cirrus Logic Inc. (NASDAQ:CRUS) Tuesday jointly announced that Cirrus Logic had signed a license to use ARM's innovative microprocessor core in integrated circuits it produces.
Under terms of the agreement, Cirrus Logic will embed ARM7 RISC (reduced instruction set computing) technology in devices to be developed by Cirrus Logic for emerging applications in computing, communications and consumer applications.
ARM's strategic goal is to make the ARM processor the world standard in the emerging markets where computing, communications and consumer electronics converge. ARM's partnering strategy with key industry players is leading to the worldwide development of new technology that is driving the creation of new markets such as personal digital assistants (PDAs), advanced smart cards and consumer multimedia.
The addition of Cirrus Logic to the existing ARM partnership will further strengthen penetration of the ARM technology into new market areas.
Cirrus Logic becomes the fifth ARM semiconductor product partner, a company that produces integrated circuits based on the ARM architecture and technology. Cirrus Logic complements the strengths of ARM's current partners, VLSI Technology, GEC Plessey Semiconductors, Sharp Corp. and Texas Instruments.
Robin Saxby, managing director of ARM Ltd., welcomed Cirrus Logic to the alliance, stating, "We are very excited about partnering with Cirrus Logic. As a leading supplier of peripheral circuits to the PC market place, including graphics, wireless controller and mass storage, Cirrus Logic will be able to provide highly integrated solutions very quickly and cost effectively to the markets ARM is targeting to broaden its application spectrum."
According to Michael L. Hackworth, president and chief executive officer of Cirrus Logic, the ARM core has emerged as the "processor of choice" for highly integrated, low-power, cost-sensitive designs.
"We are constantly evaluating new technologies against the demands imposed by both current and emerging markets," he noted. "Those technologies we adopt, when integrated into our proprietary designs, must add significant value to our products and our customers' products."
Hackworth added: "For Cirrus Logic, the ARM processor core represents the very first general-purpose computational building block to be integrated with our proprietary circuit designs. The ARM core is a key element in our commitment to work with Apple next-generation Newton requirements. We also view it as an attractive option for integration into our chip sets for other markets such as communications, multimedia and storage."
The ARM macrocell is an advanced 32-bit RISC processor core. It offers fully static operation, a high instruction throughput, very low power consumption and sub-microsecond interrupt response time — all key ingredients for emerging products. The ARM610 microprocessor with its on-chip 4k cache, write buffer and full JTAG boundary scan has already been selected by Apple as the heart of its first personal digital assistant (PDA), the Newton MessagePad.
The ARM RISC technology was selected by Apple as offering the best combination of performance, low power consumption, low cost and ease of integration. The ARM partnership recently unveiled the latest ARM7 family, further enhancing ARM's leadership in MIPS per watt, MIPS per dollar and ease of design.
Advanced RISC Machines was formed in 1990 by Acorn Computers, Apple Computer and VLSI Technology to produce low-cost, energy-efficient RISC processors. In April of 1993, Nippon Investment and Finance (NIF), a Daiwa Securities Company, became ARM's fourth investor. ARM also designs peripheral circuits, supporting software and hardware tools and offers design services, feasibility studies and training.
ARM focuses on high performance, low cost, low power consumption 32-bit RISC processors for embedded control, computing, digital signal processing and portable applications. ARM has licensed its technology to five semiconductor manufacturers, VLSI Technology, GEC Plessey Semiconductors, Sharp Corp., Texas Instruments and Cirrus Logic. All manufacture and sell ARM products worldwide. ARM also offers design services, consultancy, feasibility studies and training.
Headquartered in Fremont, Calif., Cirrus Logic develops innovative architectures for analog and digital system functions and implements these architectures in very-large-scale-integration (VLSI) silicon for applications that include user interface (graphics, audio and video), mass storage, communications and data acquisition. Key markets for Cirrus Logic's products include desktop and portable computing, workstations, telecommunications and consumer applications.
Note to Editors: ARM and the ARM Powered logo are trademarks of Advanced RISC Machines Ltd.
CONTACT:
Advanced RISC Machines Ltd.
Tim O'Donnell, 408/399-5195
Paul Franson, 415/462-1606
or
Cirrus Logic
Joe Fowler, 510/226-2239
George Alexy, 510/226-2131