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ARM, Artisan, National Semiconductor, Synopsys and UMC Collaborate on Comprehensive Low-Power SoC Solution
SoC Expected to Demonstrate up to 60 Percent Energy Savings
CAMBRIDGE, England & SUNNYVALE, Calif. & MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. & HSINCHU, Taiwan—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Nov. 8, 2004—
ARM (Nasdaq:ARMHY)(LSE:ARM), Artisan Components, Inc.
(Nasdaq:ARTI), National Semiconductor Corporation (NYSE:NSM),
Synopsys, Inc. (Nasdaq:SNPS), and UMC (NYSE:UMC)(TSE:2303) today
announced that the five companies are collaborating to deliver a
comprehensive low-power, energy-efficient system-on-chip (SoC)
technology demonstrator for the ARM926EJ-S(TM) processor. The "ULTRA"
technology demonstrator for the ARM926EJ-S processor is being
implemented in UMC's 130e Fusion process, a 130-nanometer (nm) process
platform designed for the integration of high-speed and low-leakage
transistors in a single CMOS process. The ULTRA technology
demonstrator name stands for UMC Low-power Technology Reference using
the ARM926EJ-S processor.
Lowering power is one of the greatest challenges facing the IC
industry today. Each of the five companies in this collaboration has
demonstrated technologies that contribute substantial power savings.
The close collaboration between the five companies promises to deliver
even greater systematic power savings by linking their power-saving
technologies into an integrated power reduction solution. The combined
power-savings capabilities of these technologies are expected to
demonstrate up to 60 percent energy savings. This savings is expected
to translate directly into the longer battery life required by the
fast growing hand-held/portable markets in which multimedia products
that include 3-D graphics, video/audio and communications functions
are becoming more prominent.
The ULTRA technology demonstrator for the ARM926EJ-S processor
will incorporate ARM(R) Intelligent Energy Manager (IEM) technology
and the National Semiconductor PowerWise(TM) Technology Advanced Power
Controller (APC) with an integrated Hardware Performance Monitor (HPM)
to reduce overall power and energy consumption. The combined
technologies enable the system to implement Adaptive Voltage Scaling
(AVS) as well as frequency scaling. The system is expected to show the
lowest voltage and frequency required to meet software deadlines while
maintaining user quality.
The ULTRA SoC technology demonstrator for the ARM926EJ-S processor
will use Synopsys' leading Galaxy(TM) Design Platform for a
comprehensive low-power design implementation flow that includes
multi-voltage and multi-frequency design optimization. Additionally,
the ULTRA SoC technology demonstrator for the ARM926EJ-S processor
will use Synopsys' DesignWare(R) Library for AMBA(TM) bus and
peripheral IP to implement a complete SoC. Synopsys Professional
Services is providing the RTL-to-tapeout design services for the
demonstrator chip using this advanced low-power methodology.
Artisan's Metro(TM) platform of products is the underlying
physical IP that enables the low-power technology demonstrator design.
The platform includes standard cells, I/Os, memories, phase locked
loops (PLLs) and other mixed-signal cells designed for low dynamic and
leakage power at any operating voltage. In addition, the products are
characterized to operate at very low voltages, thus allowing the
energy reduction enabled by ARM IEM technology.
The technology demonstrator will be enabled by UMC's advanced
130-nm Fusion process, which combines high-speed and low-leakage
transistors onto a single chip to create a low-power solution while
minimizing performance trade-offs. The embedded ARM926EJ-S processor
is already silicon proven in UMC's process. The ARM926EJ-S processor
delivers high performance, low power and operates at low-voltage
ranges.
The technology demonstrator will include a finished SoC, a
demonstration printed circuit board (PCB), and software, and will show
how each company's low-power capabilities contribute to a
comprehensive low-power offering. The SoC resulting from the
collaboration is not intended for sale, but instead to demonstrate
both the unique and combined capabilities of the five companies when
applied to the problem of IC power use. The partners are planning to
exhibit the technology demonstrator at select tradeshows beginning in
early 2005.
"The demand for low-power chip solutions continues to increase as
consumers are seeking increasingly more complex handheld wireless
devices with evermore functionality," said Mike Inglis, executive vice
president marketing, ARM. "By aligning with Artisan, National
Semiconductor, Synopsys and UMC in the development of the ULTRA
technology demonstrator for the ARM926EJ-S processor, we believe we
will demonstrate the value and market appeal of each company's
technology."
"Artisan's Metro platform, developed to address the many
power-management challenges in nanometer design, is based on a series
of new architectures that dramatically reduce power while enhancing
density and yield: resulting in up to an 80 percent reduction in
power, up to a 20 percent reduction in area and improved production
yield," said Neal Carney, Artisan's vice president of marketing.
"Through collaboration with industry leaders, Artisan helps enable
integrated solutions that can assist IC designers in the successful
and timely delivery of power-efficient SoCs."
"National's PowerWise Technology is enabling makers of cell phones
and other portable devices to offer new features without compromising
the battery life consumers have come to expect," said Peter Henry,
vice president of Portable Power Systems at National Semiconductor.
"Together with the partner companies, National is delivering
comprehensive off-the-shelf low power solutions and enabling faster
time-to-market with the ease and simplicity of proven silicon,
advanced design tools and core reference designs."
"In order to address today's advanced silicon challenges, a much
broader and deeper industrial collaboration is needed than ever
before. This collaboration provides a production-proven methodology
that will allow designers to take advantage of the advanced low-power
capabilities in UMC's 130 nanometer and below processes," said Rich
Goldman, vice president, Strategic Market Development, Synopsys, Inc.
"Synopsys' Galaxy Design Platform and DesignWare Library's AMBA
technology-based IP, in conjunction with Synopsys Professional
Services, offer a complete low-power design flow that helps designers
achieve power closure, helps ensure power integrity and helps improve
yield, thus reducing time-to-market for their products."
Patrick T. Lin, chief SoC architect at UMC, added, "Today's
portable products continue to increase in functionality while
shrinking in size, meaning that a chip has to do more while still
maintaining reasonable power consumption. The ULTRA technology
demonstrator for the ARM926EJ-S processor is optimized for these
applications as it delivers low-power characteristics without
sacrificing performance. We are pleased to be the premier foundry to
partner with leading companies in their field on this fully-supported
low-power, low-energy demonstration."
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the safe harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, including statements regarding the expected
performance and benefits of the low power SoC demonstrator being
developed by ARM, Artisan Components, National Semiconductor, Synopsys
and UMC and the expected date the results of such collaboration will
be complete. These statements are based on each party's respective
current expectations and beliefs. Actual results could differ
materially from the results implied by these statements as a result of
unforeseen difficulties in completing the engineering of the solution
as well as the factors described in each party's periodic reports
filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
About Artisan Components
Artisan Components, Inc. is a leading provider of physical
intellectual property (IP) components for the design and manufacture
of complex system-on-a-chip integrated circuits. Artisan's products
include embedded memory, standard cell, input/output, analog and
mixed-signal components, which are designed to achieve the best
combination of performance, density, power and yield. Artisan has
licensed its IP components to over 2,000 companies involved in
integrated circuit design. Artisan is headquartered in Sunnyvale,
California. More information about Artisan Components, including free
library access, can be found at www.artisan.com.
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
16/32-bit RISC microprocessors, data engines, peripherals, software
and tools, combined with the company's broad Partner community,
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.
About National Semiconductor
National Semiconductor, the industry's premier analog company,
creates high performance analog devices and subsystems. National's
leading-edge products include power management circuits, display
drivers, audio and operational amplifiers, and data conversion
solutions. National's key markets include wireless handsets, displays,
PCs, networks and a broad range of portable applications. With
headquarters in Santa Clara, California, National reported sales of
$1.98 billion for fiscal 2004, which ended May 30, 2004. Additional
company and product information is available at www.national.com.
About Synopsys
Synopsys, Inc. is the solutions leader in electronic design
automation (EDA) software for semiconductor design. The company
delivers technology-leading semiconductor design and verification
platforms and IC manufacturing software products to the global
electronics market, enabling the development and production of complex
systems-on-chips (SoCs). Synopsys also provides intellectual property
and design services to simplify the design process and accelerate
time-to-market for its customers. Synopsys is headquartered in
Mountain View, California and has offices in more than 60 locations
throughout North America, Europe, Japan and Asia. Visit Synopsys
online at http://www.synopsys.com/.
About UMC
UMC (NYSE:UMC)(TSE:2303) is a leading global semiconductor
foundry that manufactures advanced process ICs for applications
spanning every major sector of the semiconductor industry. UMC
delivers cutting-edge foundry technologies that enable sophisticated
system-on-chip (SOC) designs, including 90nm copper, 0.13um copper,
and mixed signal/RFCMOS. UMC is also a leader in 300mm manufacturing;
Fab 12A in Taiwan and Singapore-based UMCi are both in volume
production for a variety of customer products. UMC employs over 10,500
people worldwide and has offices in Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Europe,
and the United States. UMC can be found on the web at
http://www.umc.com.
ARM is a registered trademark of ARM Limited. ARM926EJ-S 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)(Nasdaq:ARMHY); its operating company ARM
Limited; and the regional subsidiaries ARM INC.; ARM KK; ARM Korea
Ltd.; ARM Taiwan; ARM France SAS; and ARM Belgium N.V. Artisan
Components and Artisan are registered trademarks and Metro is a
trademark of Artisan Components, Inc. National Semiconductor is a
registered trademark of National Semiconductor Corporation. Synopsys
and DesignWare are registered trademarks of Synopsys, Inc. Galaxy is a
trademark of Synopsys, Inc. All other trademarks or registered
trademarks mentioned in this release are the intellectual property of
their respective owners.
Contact:
Artisan Components, Inc.
Claudia Natalia, 408-548-3172
claudia@artisan.com
or
KJ Communications (for UMC)
Eileen Elam, 650-917-1488
eileen@kjcompr.com
or
UMC
Alex Hinnawi, (886) 2-2700-6999 ext. 6958 (Taiwan)
or
Synopsys, Inc.
Gita Rao-Prasad, 650-584-1441
gitar@synopsys.com
or
ARM
Michelle Spencer, +44 1628 427780
Michelle.spencer@arm.com
or
National Semiconductor
Mike Brozda, 408-721-3628
mike.brozda@nsc.com
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