Processors Excel In Scalable, Low-Power Systems

The Cortext-A9 processors—the single-core and MPCore multi-core processors—deliver very high performance within tight power constraints. The processors are compatible with other Cortex family devices, thereby inheriting a rich variety of OS/RTOS, middleware, and applications to lower the costs associated with adopting a new processor. By leveraging for the first time key micro-architectural advances, the processors deliver highly scalable and power-efficient solutions. Using a dynamic length, 8-stage superscalar, multi-issue pipeline with speculative out-of-order execution, they can execute up to four instructions per cycle in devices clocked at more than 1 GHz while also providing reductions in the cost and inefficiencies of today’s leading 8-stage processors. To simplify and broaden the adoption of multi-core solutions, the Cortex-A9 MPCore processor supports system-level coherence with accelerators and DMA to further increase performance and reduce power consumption at the system level. The single-core Cortex-A9 was developed for simplified design migration and reduced time-to-market of high-performance, cost-sensitive applications such as feature phones and other low cost embedded devices. Each processor is available with ARM Advantage standard cells and memories for a traditional and convenient synthesizable flow. ARM INC., Austin, TX. (512) 327-9249.