ARM Cortex Processors Chosen by Texas Instruments For Use in Critical Automotive Applications

December 19, 2006

WHAT:
The ARM® Cortex™ -M3 and Cortex-R4 processors have been selected by Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) for use in its TMS470 and TMS570 MCU platforms respectively. The microcontroller platforms offer automakers and OEMs optimized solutions for applications such as braking, steering, chassis control, body and airbag systems.

TI’s TMS470 MCU platform, currently based on the popular ARM7TDMI® processor, will add new pin-to-pin compatible devices based on the ARM Cortex-M3 processor. The Cortex-M3 processor enables lower power consumption and exceptional system response to interrupts, while delivering computational performance and excellent code density.

TI’s new TMS570 MCU platform uses two ARM Cortex-R4 processors, combined with an initial two Mbytes of on-chip flash memory. Targeted safety critical applications include chassis control, braking/electronic vehicle stability and steering. The Cortex-R4 processor is tailored for advanced embedded control applications and features a selective superscalar microarchitecture delivering more than 1.6 DMIPS/MHz in an efficient low gate count implementation

TI’s decision to adopt the ARM Cortex-M3 and Cortex-R4 processors for its scalable automotive MCU platforms demonstrates the growing momentum of silicon based on the ARM Cortex family  of processors.

WHY:
ARM and TI are committed to the automotive industry and are actively working together to support innovative, high-performance applications. Addressing the increasing complexity of automotive electronics, coupled with the emergence of stringent safety standards, automakers and OEMs are seeking highly robust processors necessary for designing cost-effective and reliable automotive systems.

About the ARM Cortex Family of Processors
The three series in the ARM Cortex family enable chip manufacturers and OEMs to standardize around a single architecture from low-end microcontrollers to high-performance applications processors. Featuring Thumb®-2 technology, the ARM Cortex  family significantly reduces development costs and increases enterprise efficiency.

• ARM Cortex-A Series: Applications processors for complex OS and user applications
• ARM Cortex-R Series: Embedded processors for real-time systems
• ARM Cortex-M Series: Deeply embedded processors optimized for microcontroller and low-cost 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 16/32-bit RISC microprocessors, data engines, graphics processors, digital libraries, embedded memories, peripherals, software and development tools, as well as analog functions and high-speed connectivity products. Combined with 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.