ARM and Mindspeed Extend Relationship With Cortex-A9 Processor Agreement

– ARM [(LSE: ARM); (Nasdaq: ARMH)] and Mindspeed® Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: MSPD) today announced that Mindspeed has licensed the ARM® Cortex™-A9 MPCore™ processor for use in their next generation, high-performance multiservice networking platforms, designed to support voice and data services across wireline and wireless networks.

The widely-adopted ARM MPCore (multicore) technology increases performance scalability and control over power consumption to exceed the performance of today’s comparable high-performance devices while remaining within tight power constraints. The Cortex-A9 MPCore processor was developed to deliver the next generation of MPCore technology to a breadth of new application markets by further optimizing and extending this technology.

The agreement builds on an existing collaboration between the two companies which has already resulted in the successful development and launch of the Mindspeed Comcerto® 100 and 1000 series of broadband gateway processors based on the ARM1136J-S™ processor (28 April 2008- ARM and Mindspeed Address Next Generation Home Gateways with Multiprocessing Technology).
ARM also provided Mindspeed with comprehensive on-site hardware training on the Cortex-A9 processor deliverables to ensure they were able to start designing with the technology as quickly and efficiently as possible.

“The proposition of multiservice networking, combining all types of communications, including data, voice and video over a single packet cell-based infrastructure, is emerging as a strategically important issue for enterprise and public service provider infrastructures alike,” said Tom Medrek, Mindspeed’s senior vice president and general manager, multiservice access. “Enabling this technology within tight power constraints is only possible with high-performance, embedded multiprocessing technology. ARM has proven expertise and experience in this area, as demonstrated with our Comcerto 100 series, and was our logical partner for future development.”  

“The ARM architecture is the optimal solution to enable best-in-class quality of service (QoS) for the networking platforms that are emerging as broadband gateways evolve into intelligent multiservice access points,” said Ian Ferguson, director Enterprise Solutions, ARM. “The Cortex-A9 MPCore processor provides the flexibility to extend peak performance to unprecedented levels while reducing power consumption, a combination which makes it ideal for high-performance networking applications.”

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 Mindspeed Technologies®
Mindspeed Technologies, Inc. designs, develops and sells semiconductor networking solutions for communications applications in enterprise, access, metropolitan and wide area networks. The company's three key product families include high-performance analog transmission and switching solutions, multiservice access products designed to support voice and data services across wireline and wireless networks, and WAN communications solutions including T/E carrier physical-layer and link-layer devices as well as ATM/MPLS network processors. Mindspeed's products are used in a wide variety of network infrastructure equipment, including voice and media gateways, high-speed routers, switches, access multiplexers, cross-connect systems, add-drop multiplexers and digital loop carrier equipment.

To learn more, visit www.mindspeed.com.