ARM Releases Next-Generation DDR Memory Solutions To Improve Chip Performance

New flexible, standards-based DDR solutions shorten time to market and optimize chip power and size

CAMBRIDGE, UK. — July 19, 2006 - ARM [(LSE:ARM); (Nasdaq:ARMHY)] today announced it has expanded its Velocity™ DDR memory interface products, part of its Artisan® physical IP family, to support a number of application-specific SDRAM requirements. The expanded ARM® Velocity DDR products are compliant with JEDEC standards for DDR, DDR2, Mobile DDR and GDDR3 SDRAM and support standard CMOS processes on 130-nanometer(nm), 110nm, 90nm and 65nm nodes for leading foundries.

The ARM Velocity portfolio targets applications in mainstream PC and server with data rate speeds up to 800Mbps.  Velocity Mobile DDR solutions target low-power applications while GDDR3 solutions target graphics memory interfaces up to1600 Mbps data rate.  The Velocity DDR solutions are designed to be smaller with lower jitter performance than previous products, which continue to enable customers to optimize power and size in their SoC designs, while reducing time to market.

“ARM DDR products reduce risk for us when developing our complex IP and play a vital role in Azul’s overall SoC design, as all of our interfaces and clock generation IP are developed by ARM,” said Paul Koike, senior director, Silicon Engineering, Azul Systems.  “As we continue to move our designs to smaller geometries, we believe that ARM provides the most complete line of interconnect I/O IP for 90nm.” 

Complexity and higher-speed memories are demanding a different approach from the pure digital methods used in the past.  Currently there is a greater need for a mixed-signal solution to address issues such as signal and voltage integrity and impedance discontinuities. ARM silicon-proven expanded Velocity DDR solutions have added on-die termination for programmable termination to improve signal integrity and have advanced dynamic calibration, with higher DDR2 resolution of the input and output impedances, ensuring more accurate impedance matching.  Along with these enhancements to previous DDR products, the Velocity DDR solutions are also easily integrated cells that allow designers to optimize power, size and jitter performance in each design, reducing overall systems costs.

 “SoC designers are looking for IP solutions that help reduce risks, enable seamless integration and speed design development,” said Neal Carney, vice president of Marketing, Physical IP, ARM. “By providing silicon-proven industry-standard DDR memory interface solutions, ARM facilitates faster time-to-market for our customers and enables them to remain competitive in their SoC space.”

The ARM expanded Velocity DDR solutions also include a comprehensive, speed-graded portfolio of analog timing functions such as application-specific DLLs for centering clocks in data eyes as well as timing of DDR. In addition, application-specific PLLs are included to generate accurate DDR system clock signals.

ARM also offers a range of PrimeCell® AMBA® 3 AXI™ and AMBA 2 AHB™ Dynamic Memory Controllers supporting SDRAM, DDR and Mobile-DDR. With DDR2 support under development, ARM now provides a complete, high-performance memory controller solution for a wide range of applications.

ARM Velocity DDR memory interfaces are immediately available in a variety of standard CMOS processes on 130nm, 110nm, 90nm and 65 nm nodes for leading foundries. The ARM PrimeCell AXI Static Memory Controller series and the ARM PrimeCell AHB Memory Controller series are also available for immediate licensing.

About ARM
ARM designs the technology that lies at the heart of advanced digital products, from mobile, home and enterprise solutions to embedded and emerging applications. ARM’s comprehensive product offering includes 16/32-bit RISC microprocessors, data engines, 3D 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.