Programmable Logic


Actel and ARM bringing ARM7 to burgeoning FPGA market

23 March 2005 Programmable Logic

US FPGA vendor, Actel, and processor IP licensor, ARM, have signed an agreement whereby Actel customers will be able to implement a 'soft' ARM7 Thumb microprocessor on a range of ARM technology-enabled FPGAs soon to be launched.

With the establishment of this partnership, Actel said it will take the unique step of delivering to developers, a soft ARM7 family implementation for use in several of Actel's FPGA families. Targeting the fastest growing market for design-ins, this move will create the first soft core FPGA version of the ARM7 family microprocessor that can be leveraged across applications ranging from high-volume consumer applications to high-performance, high-reliability products. As a consequence, programmable logic users will be able to access ASIC-like design flexibility, with broad third-party support and trusted IP, as well as the added programmability and security benefits of Actel FPGAs, said the company.

"For the first time, ARM can provide FPGA designers the flexibility of a soft IP core, thanks to the built-in security of Actel's flash- and antifuse-based FPGAs," said Mike Inglis, EVP Marketing, ARM. "With this unique collaboration, the ARM7 family can now be designed into FPGA-based consumer products; FPGA development platforms for ASICs and prototyping; and especially for applications where low volumes have previously precluded the use of ARM processors."

"FPGA users have, for a long time, asked for access to this industry-standard architecture in a soft-IP format," said John East, president and CEO of Actel. "We are bringing an FPGA-optimised ARM7 family core to the masses."

Actel said it will develop a family of ARM technology-enabled FPGA products in 2005, and the soft core ARM7 family processor will be delivered to customers using the unique security features available only in Actel FPGA devices. An end-to-end integrated solution provided by the Actel Libero and ARM RealView tools will enable customers to rapidly develop products and achieve optimal design performance.



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