"Virtual platforms that provide the software developer with an early view of the hardware and peripherals represent a big step forward in the ongoing push toward concurrent development of the entire system," said Daya Nadamuni, vice president, Gartner Dataquest. "Because a high-level representation of the hardware allows application development to begin much earlier in the design cycle, software developers can explore different options, test and verify the product and still hit the market window."

The RealView System Generator tool gives hardware and software engineers alike the power to create and modify their own system models, which keeps NRE costs under control and protects unique IP by dispensing with third-party consultancies.

The speed of the generated virtual prototypes is comparable to the speed of currently available mobile devices, making it possible to test application software as it will appear on the end device, months before hardware is available.

"For a highly differentiated consumer electronics product to succeed, electronics vendors need a way to generate application software, perform testing of hardware and application software integration and validate the end-user experience as early as possible," said Bryn Parry, general manager, Development Systems, ARM. "The RealView System Generator tool provides a target early in the design cycle that enables these tasks, and is easy to deploy."

Silicon vendors, OS or software vendors or system OEMs working with SoC- or ASIC-based systems benefit from the RealView System Generator tool because it enables application software development in parallel with hardware development, thus reducing integration time. Creative professionals, such as application engineers, artists and designers developing multimedia content, can use the virtual platforms created in the System Generator tool to accelerate development and validate the user experience.

"We are using the System Generator tool to create virtual platforms for mobile games development. It's always difficult to get real devices early enough in the development cycle for testing our software. By integrating the System Generator models with our Segundo3D(TM) game development middleware and porting tools, we have been able to save at least 20 percent of our development and testing time per game," said Thor Gunnarsson, VP business development, Ideaworks3D.

Continuous Investment in Tools

The release of the RealView System Generator tool demonstrates ARM's continued commitment to electronic system level design software and to moving these tools into new application areas. In June 2005, ARM announced the Real Time System Model (RSTM) [http://www.arm.com/news/9368.html], which is a fixed virtual platform built around an ARM1176JZF-S(TM) processor. Now, the System Generator tool puts the ability to create virtual platforms in the hands of the user.

Ease of Use

The RealView System Generator tool is operated through a drag-and-drop graphical user interface familiar to users of the RealView SoC Designer tool. The tool enables users to rapidly create and deploy complete virtual prototypes constructed from a library of ARM processors and key peripherals, such as the LCD, keyboard and communication interfaces typically found in consumer electronics devices.

Software developers can also use the System Generator tool to rapidly build their own IP models that can be added to the library of drag-and-drop components.

The developer also benefits from an integrated flow between the RealView System Generator tool and the other tools in ARM's RealView family, such as compilers, debuggers and SystemC tools. This enables software for specific components to be run and tested on models written at different levels of abstraction. Through a common debug environment, the same software can also be tested on FPGA prototypes, such as those built from RealView development boards, and on final silicon.

High-Speed ARM-Certified Models

The RealView System Generator tool's virtual prototypes are based around the only certified high-speed models of ARM IP, which include support for the TrustZone(R) hardware-based security technology and Jazelle(R) Java acceleration technology. The virtual prototypes also enable development of user software policies for the ARM Intelligent Energy Manager technology, which allows applications to reduce the power consumed in mobile devices. Compelling content, such as 3D games, are essential for product success, and these models, which can boot an open OS such as Linux in a few seconds, provide the speed and instruction-accuracy required to test the content without the costs associated with real device testing.

Availability

The System Generator tool will be available in September 2006 and is currently in use by lead Partners. The first version includes fast processor core models for the ARM926EJ-S(TM), ARM1136JF-S(TM) and ARM1176JZF-S processors, as well as for a number of ARM PrimeCell(R) peripherals.

About ARM

ARM designs the technology that lies at the heart of advanced digital products, from mobile, home and enterprise solutions to embedded and emerging applications. ARM's comprehensive product offering includes 16/32-bit RISC microprocessors, data engines, 3D processors, digital libraries, embedded memories, peripherals, software and development tools, as well as analog functions and high-speed connectivity products. Combined with 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.

ARM, RealView, TrustZone, Jazelle and PrimeCell are registered trademarks of ARM Limited. Intelligent Energy Manager, ARM926EJ-S, ARM1136JF-S and ARM1176JZF-S 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; ARM France SAS; ARM Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.; ARM Belgium N.V.; AXYS Design Automation Inc.; AXYS GmbH; ARM Embedded Solutions Pvt. Ltd.; and ARM Physical IP, Inc.