Cortex-A53 Processor

The performance graph below shows measured results on Cortex-A9 and early Cortex-A7 test platforms. The results are projected to deliver performance in a quad-core configuration on a "rate" benchmark that tests integer and some floating-point performance with a mix of large and medium data sets. These stress the memory system of each CPU and the L2 cache. The "rate" portion of the benchmark duplicates the same code on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th CPUs in each system, and measures the delivered aggregate performance. Rate benchmarks like this evaluate the ability of the multi-processing system to handle memory traffic and coherence requirements in a multiprocessing context.

The Cortex-A53 is able to deliver more performance than Cortex-A9 systems of comparable speed on this benchmark. The performance graph below shows measure results running various Android™ benchmarks on dual-core Cortex-A9, dual-core Cortex-A7, and projected results on dual-core Cortex-A53 platforms based on measured uplift vs. Cortex-A7 on similar types of code. The results show that Cortex-A53 delivers comparable but slightly lower performance relative to Cortex-A9 running at the same frequency, while Cortex-A53 delivers higher performance than Cortex-A9 at the same frequency.

* Estimated
** Provisonal

System IP

The ARM ™ interconnect and memory controller IP addresses the critical challenge of efficiently moving and storing data between up to 16 Cortex-A50 MPCore processors, high performance media processors and dynamic memories to optimize the system performance and power consumption of the SoC. The CoreLink system IP enables SoC designers to maximize the utilization of system memory bandwidth and reduce static and dynamic latencies. While the ARM CoreSight technology provides complete on-chip debug and correlated, real-time trace visibility for all cores of the Cortex-A53 MPCore processor, reducing risk and speeding development of high quality multiprocessing software. The new AMBA® 4 Cache Coherent Network (CCN) provides Optimum system bandwidth and latency. The CCN provides AMBA 4 AXI™ Coherency Extensions (ACE) compliant ports for full coherency between multiple Cortex-A53 MPCore processors, better utilizing caches and simplifying software development. This feature is essential for high bandwidth applications including gaming, servers and networking that require clusters of coherent single and multicore processors. Combined with the ARM CoreLink network interconnect and memory controller IP, the CCN increases system performance and power efficiency.

Physical IP

ARM Physical IP Platforms deliver process optimized IP, for best-in-class implementations of the Cortex-A53 processor at 40nm and below. A set of high performance Optimization Packs (POP™) containing advanced ARM Physical IP for 28nm technologies supports the Cortex-A53, to enabling rapid development of leadership physical implementations. ARM is also working early to assure a roadmap to 20nm optimizations. Optimization packs support ARM’s strategy of offering specifically targeted Physical IP to enable Partners to achieve tuned implementations of ARM cores. ARM is uniquely able to design the optimization packs in parallel with the Cortex-A53 MPCore processor architecture, enabling the processor and physical IP combination to deliver workstation class performance in a mobile power envelope while facilitating rapid time-to-market.

Tools Support

The ARM Development Suite 5 (DS-5™) tool suite fully supports all ARM processors as well as a wide range of third party tools, operating systems and EDA flows. ARM DS-5 software development tools are unique in their ability to provide solutions that take full advantage of the complete ARM technology portfolio. The ARM Development Studio 5 (DS-5™) provides a complete range of software tools to create, debug and optimize systems based on the Cortex-A53 MPCore processor. It incorporates the DS-5 Debugger, whose powerful and intuitive graphical environment enables fast debugging of bare metal, Linux and Android native applications. In addition, its new ARM Streamline™ Performance Analyzer simplifies the identification of hot spots in software and load balancing between cores. The ARM Compiler, which already includes specific optimizations for the Cortex-A15 MPCore processor, enables early software development before silicon availability and an ARM Versatile™ Reference Virtual Platform built on ARM Fast Models technology. This Virtual Platform is available for a free 6-month evaluation.

Graphics Processors

The Mali™ family of products combine to provide the complete graphics stack for all embedded graphics needs, enabling device manufacturers and content developers to deliver the highest quality, cutting edge graphics solutions across the broadest range of consumer devices.

Support

ARM training courses and Active Assist on-site system-design advisory services enable licensees to integrate efficiently the Cortex-A53 MPCore processor into their design to realize maximum system performance with lowest risk and fastest time-to-market.