ARM Mali Video and Display Technology to Power Next Generation of Atmel Devices

Leading MCU provider to deploy a range of ARM Cortex processor and ARM Mali IP in industrial, consumer applications

Cambridge, UK - July 23, 2014 - ARM announced today it has licensed processor and security IP to Atmel Corporation for use in a wide array of devices requiring image, video and display capabilities. Atmel plans to integrate the newly licensed ARM® technology into silicon targeted at wearable devices and automated factory tasks reliant on image processing such as the identification of faulty products. The license includes the ARM Cortex®-A7 processor, ARM Mali™-V500 video accelerator, Mali-DP500 display processor, and ARM TrustZone® technology.

"Atmel and ARM have a successful history of collaboration," said Pete Hutton, executive vice president and president of product groups, ARM. "That partnership continues to build with Atmel now expanding its ARM IP portfolio to include even stronger security and richer media processing technology that prepares the way for new and exciting products in emerging markets such as IoT, wearables and factory automation."

The energy efficiency and small die area advantages of ARM Mali-V500 and Mali-DP500 enables full HD 1080p60 resolution capabilities on a single core, which is ideally suited for cost-conscious applications. Additionally, both the ARM Mali-V500 and Mali-DP500 incorporate support for ARM TrustZone technology for hardware-backed content security from download to display.

"As IoT and wearable devices become smaller, more sophisticated and integrated, the SoCs used in the devices will need to offer more features and functionality in smaller packages," said Reza Kazerounian, senior vice president and general manager, microcontroller business unit at Atmel. "The small area footprint of the ARM Cortex and Mali multimedia solutions will allow us to offer HD video and display processing in unprecedented sizes."

With Mali-DP500, Atmel SoCs will have the capability to deliver UI functionality such as multi-layer composition, scaling and post-processing with support from ARM's Frame Buffer Compression (AFBC) protocol. This technology is unique to ARM and is capable of delivering a 60 percent reduction in system bandwidth for video playback.

About ARM

ARM is at the heart of the world's most advanced digital products. Our technology enables the creation of new markets and transformation of industries and society. We design scalable, energy-efficient processors and related technologies to deliver the intelligence in applications ranging from sensors to servers, including smartphones, tablets, enterprise infrastructure and the Internet of Things.

Our innovative technology is licensed by ARM Partners who have shipped more than 50 billion Systems on Chip (SoCs) containing our intellectual property since the company began in 1990. Together with our Connected Community, we are breaking down barriers to innovation for developers, designers and engineers, ensuring a fast, reliable route to market for leading electronics companies. Learn more and join the conversation at http://community.arm.com.