Building on the
ARM foundation
NXP is committed to the ARM architecture for several
reasons. For starters, ARM accounts for roughly 90% of all
embedded 32-bit RISC processors, so it makes sense to
support the architecture designers trust most.
Performance and power play a role, too, since processing
speed and energy efficiency are so essential to today’s
designs. The ARM RISC architecture executes quickly,
and requires fewer clock cycles to perform a given task,
so the system runs faster. ARM architectures also deliver
a higher amount of processing power for a given amount
of electricity, so the system delivers higher efficiency and
cooler operating temperatures.
ARM has developed low-cost cores that compete directly
with 8/16-bit options, so designers can upgrade their
systems to higher performance and greater functionality,
while staying on budget. Also, the very high level of
integration possible with every ARM architecture means the
design needs fewer external components, and that can save
on overall cost.
Ecosystem is another reason to choose ARM. There are
more than 750 ARM partners, delivering silicon, tools,
and software, so designers can select from an incredibly
wide range of development tools, and can easily enlist the
support of specialized third-party experts.
Do all ARM licensees offer the same products?
The short answer is no. Every licensee starts with the
same basic core structure from ARM, but there’s a certain
degree of freedom in how to implement the overall device.
Licensees can keep certain features, discard others, or add
their own special functions. Those decisions can have a big
impact on performance, power consumption, and feature
set, so it’s important to look beyond the ARM core and
evaluate the specific implementation.
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