Processor Optimization Pack (POP)

ARM® Processor Optimization Packs™ (POP) combine our market leading processer technology with our Artisan® Physical IP products to deliver the highest performance ARM Cortex™-A9 and ARM Cortex-A5 processor based SoC implementations in the industry. ARM's POPs are an integration of custom Physical IP, implementation knowledge and comprehensive benchmarking. POPs are co-developed with ARM's processor engineering teams.

It is this unique indepth level of core and physical IP co-development that produces these industry leading results, which could only be accomplished by ARM's vertically integrated IP capabilities. POPs are also a critical element in implementing ARM hard macros, such as the ARM Cortex-A9 Dual Core hard macro for TSMC 40nmG process.

The ARM POP provides:

Full implementation solutions in a highly usable configuration, includng ARM NEON^TM general-purpose SIMD engine
Flexibility to optimize for maximum performance, lowest power, or any combination in between
A predictable performance solution for ARM Cortex-A and Cortex-M processor series
The shortest time-to-market by levergaing ARM implementation knowledge
Dependable and production solutions

POP Overview

Cortex A9

Cortex A5

Cortex M Series

Roadmap

ARM® Processor Optimzation Packs™ (POP) combine three critical design elements to deliver a silicon proven solution for obtaining optimal performance in your ARM processor based SoC. First there is custom designed Artisan® Physical IP; standard cells, logic and memory instances. This IP has been developed in concert with ARM Cortex™ processor cores by tightly coupled engineering teams from ARM's Processor and Physical IP Divisions. Next this IP is comprehensively benchmarked in an iterative process with literally hundreds of different implementations in order to determine the best possible solution. Once the solution is selected we provide detailed benchmarks based on the exact conditions and configurations in a certified benchmark report. Finally,ARM provides detail implementation knowledge in the form of the iRM and POP User Implementation Guide. This allows the customer to get the same results as achieved in the benchmarking report.

ARM is your trusted IP provider for optimizing your ARM Cortex processor based SoC design.

processor optimization pack graphic

ARM currently offers the ARM® Cortex™-A9 POPs at popular foundries for 40nm, 32nm and now 28nm geometries. All POPs are silicon proven by ARM and in most cases by our customers production SoC. The ARM Cortex-A9 POP supports single core, dual core or quad core configurations. At TSMC 40nmG process, ARM's Cortex-A9 POP is used as the base for the Cortex A9 Osprey Hard Macro. Osprey is a Dual core implementation which delivers up to 2.0 GHz performance (typical conditions). Our customer's trust ARM to fully deliver high performance implementation solutions based on our industry leadership in expertise, innovation and proven success.

ARM is pleased to announce our first 28nm POP is our Cortex-A9 POP for GLOBALFOUNDRIES 28nmSLP process. The 28nmSLP process is a High K-Metal Gate technology targeting operformance based, low power applications. The ARM A9 POP delivers up to 2.0 GHz performance under typical conditions.

Follow this link to learn more about GLOBALFOUNDRIES and the A9 POP

Nufront is an innovative Chinese semiconductor company which is targeting mobile, tablet and computing markets with ARM Cortex-A9 based SoCs powered by ARM's POP enabled hard macros. They have achieved success in a broad range of technology including wireless communication, video search and digital image processing systems. Nufront was the first company to produce an SoC with the Osprey hard macro running at 2.0 GHz (typical conditions).

Follow this link to read more about Nufront's POP success.

Panasonic a company recognized around the world for their inovative consumer products, develops many of the SoCs that power these consumer devices. Pananonic trusts ARM to deliver top performance with the fasted time to market for their ARM Cortex A9 proceesor based implementations. Panasonic's UniPhier MN2WS0220 System on Chip with a POP enabled Dual core Cortex A9, operating at 1.4 GHz (typical conditions), aims to provide customers with exciting multimedia solutions that combine high-quality audio and video with low power consumption, real-time processing, and secure technology.

Follow this link to read more about Panasonic's POP success.

Samsung is one of largest semiconductor and consumer electronic companies in the world. ARM's POP for the Cortex -A9 Dual Core was implementd in Samsung's 32nm High-K Metal gate process technology producing results of over 1.3 GHz performance(typical conditions). A mutual customer is now in production with ARM's 32nmLP Cortex A-9 POP at Samsung.

Follow this link to read more about Samsung's POP Success.

The ARM® Cortex™-A5 POP is targeted for low power, mid performance applications. The A5 POP is offered in single core and dual core configurations. The POP is also used to develop ARM Gannet Hard Macro, a single core A5 implemented on TSMC® 40LP process with > 1.0 GHz performance (typical conditions).

ARM Cortex M series processors are among the most popular in the world. Billions of production SoC have been successfully implemented and shipped using the Cortex-M series processor cores. The ARM {POP for the Cortex-M series processors supports M0, M1, M3 and M4 cores. ARM's Cortex-M series POP has been successfuly used by microcontroller providers as well as a wide range of ASSP providers. Focusing on the mainstream process nodes, Cortex-M series POP customers are looking for the lowest power implementation and many include non-volitile memory as well. They trust ARM to deliver leading IP to address that need.

ARM has an agressive roadmap for POPs at 28nm process tecnologies for the ARM Cortex™-A processor series, Cortex-A9, Cortex-A15 and Cortex-A7 cores. In additon, by using the Cortex-A15 core in conjuntion with the Cortex-A7 core customers can benefit from the big.LITTLE configuration. ARM will be announcing 28nm POPs starting in 1Q 2012.