ARM, Chartered, IBM and Samsung Collaborate to Enable Energy-Efficient 32nm and 28nm Systems-on-Chip

  -- IBM, Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing Ltd.,  Samsung Electronics, Co., Ltd., and ARM today announced they will develop a comprehensive 32 nanometer (nm) and 28nm Systems-on-a-Chip (SoCs) design platform based on high-k metal-gate (HKMG) technology from the IBM-led joint-development alliance.

Under this multi-year collaboration, ARM will develop and license a design platform of physical intellectual property (IP) including logic, memory and interface products for the Common Platform technology alliance of IBM, Chartered and Samsung for distribution to their customers.

ARM also announced its intent to develop customized physical IP targeted at achieving optimal power, performance, and area for their current and future Cortex(TM) processor family leveraging the unique attributes of the Common Platform HKMG 32nm/28nm technology. The HKMG technology breaks down the historical barrier of scaling, allowing significant power and performance advantage by utilizing new material science innovations. This technology targets a broad range of embedded segments, including mobile, portable and consumer electronics.

The early parallel development work between ARM and the Common Platform alliance leverages their respective industry-leading expertise in processor IP, physical IP and technology development. This combination will facilitate design scaling and accelerate the market availability of next generation mobile devices with unmatched performance, outstanding battery life and reduced cost.

"Through this early engagement, we are creating the foundation for designing power efficient ARM SoCs for customers of the Common Platform," said Warren East, CEO, ARM . "By utilizing the strength of our advanced microprocessors, our leadership in Physical IP design and advanced technology supported by the Common Platform, customers can accelerate the release of products for electronic devices that service a broad range of consumer applications."

The Common Platform partners expect to continue to expand the eco-system in this collaborative initiative to include more members in the near future. These additional partners will expand the offering of EDA support, services and IP offerings to enable customers to accelerate their time to market on these advanced technologies.

"IBM remains convinced collaborative innovation in an open ecosystem of partners is the key to technology leadership, both now and in the years to come," said Mike Cadigan, general manager, Semiconductor Solutions, IBM. "Today's announcement with ARM extends that strategy to the next level, from IBM research through Common Platform manufacturing to the leading consumer application architecture. With the extensions of our agreements to the 32nm generation, IBM is working together with its alliance partners to deliver leading-edge technology that promises to dramatically change the way we live, work and play."

"Today, customers require a new level of ecosystem interdepency to address the complexity of total system solutions. ARM's collaboration with the Common Platform partners will drive a new level of optimized, power-efficient SoCs," said Chia Song Hwee, president & CEO of Chartered. "The Common Platform's joint development and ecosystem collaboration is the leading model for moving invention to open industry access."

"This collaboration provides our mutual customers with leading design solutions that combine our HKMG breakthroughs in 32nm process technology and ARM's optimized low-power, high-performance cores and libraries," said Dr. Chang Sik Choi, Executive Vice President, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. "With high volume manufacturing in our Common Platform fabs, customers will benefit with time to volume advantages critical to success in the fast moving consumer electronics market."

About the Common Platform

IBM, Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing and Samsung Electronics have forged a unique manufacturing collaboration featuring bulk CMOS 32nm, 45nm, 65nm and 90nm process technologies. By combining the expertise and research resources of all three companies and leveraging advances such as high-k metal gate technology, 193nm immersion lithography and ultralow-k dielectrics, the Common Platform(TM) technology collaboration is able to accelerate the availability of leading-edge technology to foundry customers. The Common Platform model is supported by a comprehensive design-enablement ecosystem, enabling foundry customers to easily source their chip designs to multiple 300-mm foundries with minimal design work and with unprecedented flexibility and choice.

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 comprehensive product offering includes 32-bit RISC microprocessors, graphics processors, enabling software, cell libraries, embedded memories, high-speed connectivity products, peripherals and development tools. Combined with comprehensive design services, training, support and maintenance, and 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.

About IBM

For additional information visit www.ibm.com.

About Chartered

Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing Ltd., one of the world's top dedicated semiconductor foundries, offers leading-edge technologies down to 65 nanometer (nm), enabling today's system-on-chip designs. The company further serves its customers' needs through a collaborative, joint development approach on a technology roadmap that extends to 22nm. Chartered's strategy is based on open and comprehensive design enablement solutions, manufacturing enhancement strategies, and a commitment to flexible sourcing. In Singapore, the company operates a 300mm fabrication facility and five 200mm facilities. Information about Chartered can be found at www.charteredsemi.com.

About Samsung Elecrtonics

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2007 consolidated sales of US$103.4 billion. Employing approximately 150,000 people in 134 offices in 62 countries, the company consists of four main business units: Digital Media Business, LCD Business, Semiconductor Business, and Telecommunication Business. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.