ARM Launches Energy-efficient Processor
ARM has announced the ARM Cortex-M0 processor, which is claimed to be
the smallest, lowest power, and energy-efficient processor. The
company says its low power, small gate count, and code footprint
enables MCU developers to achieve 32-bit performance at an 8-bit price
point.
According to ARM, the ultra low gate count also enables it to be
deployed in analog and mixed signal devices as well as MCU
applications, and promises substantial savings in system cost while
retaining tool and binary compatibility with the feature-rich
Cortex-M3 processor.
The
Cortex-M0 processor consumes 85 microwatts/MHz (0.085 milliwatts) in
an area of under 12K gates when using the ARM 180ULL cell library. The
new processor extends the company’s MCU roadmap into ultra low-power
MCU and SoC applications such as medical devices, e-metering,
lighting, smart control, gaming accessories, compact power supply,
power and motor control, precision analog and IEEE 802.15.4 (ZigBee)
and Z-Wave systems.
The
processor also targets the programmable mixed signal market with
applications such as intelligent sensors and actuators which have
traditionally required separate analog and digital devices.
Early
licensees of the Cortex-M0 processor include NXP Semiconductors and
mixed signal ASIC designer, Triad Semiconductor.
The
Cortex-M0 processor is supported by the Keil MDK-ARM Microcontroller
Development Kit, which integrates the ARM RealView Compilation Tools
with the new Keil µVision4 IDE and Debugger.
The
processor is also be supported by third-party tool and RTOS vendors
including CodeSourcery, Code Red, Express Logic, IAR Systems, Mentor
Graphics, Micrium and SEGGER.
It’s now available for
licensing.
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