Processor manufacturer ARM signed a new deal for its Cortex family of processors. It’s Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe that is licensing ARM’s Cortex-R4F processor to be used in the automotive industry. Unlike Intel’s Atom processor, Cortex-R4F will not be used for car navigation system or similar graphical applications but instead meant to control important security functions. Everything from cruise control to warning messages for switching lanes or tired drivers. Fujitsu hasn’t detailed exactly what it will do with the Cortex processor.
ARM press release after the break;
Fujitsu chooses ARM Cortex technology for automotive applications
ARM Cortex-R4F processor specifically designed for safety and fault tolerance
CAMBRIDGE,UK , March 3, 2009 – ARM [(LSE:ARM); (Nasdaq:ARMH)] , today announced that Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe GmbH has signed a major licensing agreement for the ARM® Cortex-R4F processor for use in automotive applications including safety and chassis. The agreement is a significant endorsement of the ARM architecture in the automotive market as manufacturers endeavour to consolidate their automotive functions into a reduced number of more capable processors.
It has been predicted that automotive semiconductor revenue will grow by an annual compound rate of 7.7 percent between 2007 and 2012 as new and potential applications for the deployment of electronics in current and next generation vehicles increases. Benefits such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning systems and monitoring driver fatigue and inattention are examples of driver-assistance safety enhancements that are expected to be widely deployed in future vehicles. Furthermore, numerous applications are emerging in the industrial space where the Cortex-R4F processor could prove to be an ideal fit.
Combined with its high performance and low power capabilities, the Cortex-R4F processor includes a strong focus on safety. The processor features pre-integrated embedded error correction (ECC) and a synthesis option to implement lock step architectures simplifying implementation and aiding IEC61508 and ISO26262 and ISO26262 certification. It features high-resolution memory protection facilities to enable tight control over independent software tasks. These functions are all critical to automotive applications based on the AutoSAR runtime environment and the JasPar Automotive software platform architecture.
In addition to the Cortex-R4F processor, the agreement includes the ARM AMBA® Designer tool and ARM CoreSight™ technology for advanced on-chip debug and real-time trace.
The CoreSight™ debug and trace technology provides on-chip resources that enable the development of more reliable and higher performance products. Real-time and safety critical applications such as automotive, benefit from the CoreSight technology as it provides software engineers with exhaustive real time data monitoring, code coverage or software performance optimisation capabilities, making ARM® processor-based SoC the easiest to debug and optimise.
The AMBA Designer tool simplifies the process of achieving optimal configuration of ARM interconnect and memory controller peripherals for greatly increased system performance and power savings.
“This licensing agreement enables us to continue to build on our position in the automotive market by optimizing development costs across a common core platform,” said Dirk Weinsziehr, VP Marketing and Development, Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe. “By developing new products around the proven ARM architecture, we are well positioned to deliver high-performance automotive solutions for the next generation of vehicles”
“As vehicle manufacturers strive to consolidate their microprocessor requirements, we are seeing an increasing demand from licensees to develop devices based on ARM technology. This latest agreement with a recognized market leader demonstrates the continued adoption of ARM as the architecture of choice in the automotive industry,” said Wayne Lyons, global director of Automotive Solutions, ARM. “By leveraging the performance and power benefits of the Cortex family of processors along with the other advanced ARM technology, Fujitsu can offer highly-optimized, future proof solutions for the automotive market.”
About ARM
ARM designs the technology that lies at the heart of advanced digital products, from wireless, networking and consumer entertainment solutions to imaging, automotive, security and storage devices. ARM’s comprehensive product offering includes 32-bit RISC microprocessors, graphics processors, video engines, enabling software, cell libraries, embedded memories, high-speed connectivity products, peripherals and development tools. Combined with comprehensive design services, training, support and maintenance, and the company’s broad Partner community, they provide a total system solution that offers a fast, reliable path to market for leading electronics companies. More information on ARM is available at http://www.arm.com.
ENDS
ARM and AMBA are registered trademarks of ARM Limited. Cortex and CoreSight 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; its operating company ARM Limited; and the regional subsidiaries: ARM, Inc.; ARM KK; ARM Korea Ltd.; ARM Taiwan Limited; ARM France SAS; ARM Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.; ARM Belgium N.V.; AXYS Design Automation Inc.; ARM Germany GmbH; ARM Embedded Technologies Pvt. Ltd.; ARM Norway, AS; and ARM Sweden AB.
