The Cortex-M3 processor is now also supported by the ARM Power Management Kit (PMK) and is integrated with, and optimised for, low-power physical IP standard cell libraries and memories from the ARM Artisan physical IP family. Additional enhancements include the ability to integrate solutions for safety-critical and fault-robust applications in industrial, medical and automotive applications.
To enable low-power standby operation, the processor has a new integrated Wake-Up Interrupt Controller that, when utilised with low-power cells such as the PMK and standard cell libraries and memories, enables the core and the interrupt controller to be placed in an ultra-low leakage retention mode, returning to fully active mode almost instantaneously on critical events. When combined with partners’ insight into power-efficient design techniques, the WIC will lead to a new wave of power-efficient microcontroller solutions, ARM said.
By combining the ARM PMK, memories and standard cell libraries with the Cortex-M3 processor, partners can also gain time-to-market savings when targeting ultra-low leakage manufacturing processes for major power-saving benefits with very low area impact. The Physical IP memories feature byte-write capability and allow multiple power-down (with retention) modes when coupled to the PMK.
“This release builds upon the strong reputation of the Cortex-M3 processor and stands as a testament to ARM’s continued innovation and commitment within the global MCU market,” said Eric Schorn, VP, marketing, processor division, ARM. “Many ARM partners have built extremely successful products using the Cortex-M3 processor, and our latest release with integrated ARM physical IP, will help users achieve even better levels of performance, power and cost savings.”
Other new benefits of the latest release of the Cortex-M3 processor include: extended configurability of debug and trace capabilities to enable the creation of extremely cost-sensitive, high-volume 32-bit devices, such as electronic toys and consumer electronics systems; improved operating frequency for highest performance embedded applications; enhanced signalling to power management controllers.
Enhanced support features for the Cortex-M3 processor will be available in Q2 2008. |
