ARM Launches Multi-Layer AHB and AHB-Lite

CAMBRIDGE, UK - Mar. 19, 2001 - ARM [(LSE: ARM); (Nasdaq: ARMHY)], the industry's leading provider of 16/32-bit embedded RISC processor solutions, today launched two new configurations for the AMBA[tm] on-chip system architecture. Multi-layer Advanced High-performance Bus (AHB) and AHB-Lite together represent a significant advance in the capabilities of the AMBA solution.

Multi-layer AHB increases the bandwidth across the system by providing multiple bus layers. In addition to providing added flexibility to create a wide variety of bus structures, complex multi-master systems can be constructed, without the need to fix design decisions concerning the allocation of system resources at the hardware design stage.

"The ARM Multi-layer AHB and AHB-Lite extensions significantly enhance the versatility and performance of the AMBA on-chip system architecture," said Jonathan Morris, AMBA product manager, ARM. "By extending the bus bandwidth available for multi-master systems, Multi-layer AHB provides designers with the ability to produce a wide variety of complex systems and flexible architectures, while AHB-Lite enables faster, more efficient design and verification."

AHB-Lite is a subset of the full AHB specification that provides designers with greater flexibility and reduces implementation effort, in terms of interface design, by enabling the AHB interface to be simplified in situations where only a single master is used. AHB-Lite can also be used in conjunction with Multi-layer AHB where there is only one AHB master on a layer.

A key feature of Multi-layer AHB and AHB-Lite is that standard AHB master and slave modules can be used with the new extensions, maintaining backwards compatibility.

About ARM
ARM is the industry's leading provider of 16/32-bit embedded RISC microprocessor solutions. The company licenses its high-performance, low-cost, power-efficient RISC processors, peripherals, and system-chip designs to leading international electronics companies. ARM also provides comprehensive support required in developing a complete system. ARM's microprocessor cores are rapidly becoming the volume RISC standard in such markets as portable communications, hand-held computing, multimedia digital consumer and embedded solutions. More information on ARM is available at www.arm.com.

ARM is a registered trademark of ARM Limited. AMBA is a trademark of ARM. All other brands or product names are the property of their respective holders. "ARM" is used to represent ARM Holdings plc (LSE: ARM and Nasdaq: ARMHY); its operating company ARM Limited; and the regional subsidiaries ARM, INC.; ARM KK; ARM Korea Ltd.; ARM Taiwan