Cortex-A57 Processor

The Cortex-A57 processor delivers significantly more performance than Cortex-A15 processors, at a higher level of power efficiency. The performance increase on a range of integer and memory workloads is shown below, based on 32-bit code. Performance for floating point code is expected to increase even more, and general object oriented code is also expected to improve significantly when recompiled to AArch64 to fully take advantage of the architectural features of ARMv8.  

The Cortex-A57 MPCore processor incorporates a broad range of ARM technology including System IP, Physical IP, and development tools that also provide support. A broad range of SoC and software design solutions, tools and services from the ARM Connected Community™ compliment this technology. That provides ARM Partners with a smooth path through the development, verification and production of full function, compelling devices while significantly reducing time-to-market.

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System IP

The ARM CoreLink™ interconnect and memory controller system IP addresses the critical challenge of efficiently moving and storing data between up to 16 Cortex-A series 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-A57 MPCore processor, reducing risk and speeding development of high quality multiprocessing software. The new ARM CoreLink CCN-504 Cache Coherent Network provides optimum system bandwidth and latency. The CCN-504 provides AMBA 4 AXI™ Coherency Extensions (ACE) compliant ports for full coherency between multiple Cortex-A series 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.

The CoreLink CCI-400 Cache Coherent Interconnect provides the big.LITTLE interconnect for use with Cortex-A53 for client applications including smart phone and tablet application processors.

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Physical IP

ARM Physical IP Platforms deliver process optimized IP, for best-in-class implementations of the Cortex-A57 processor at 20nm and below. A set of high performance POP™ IP containing advanced ARM Physical IP for 28nm technologies supports the Cortex-A57, to enabling rapid development of leadership physical implementations. ARM is also working early to assure a roadmap to 20nm optimizations. POP IP supports the ARM 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-A57 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.

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Tools Support

The ARM Development Suite 5 (DS-5™) for ARMv8 fully supports all ARMv8 (AArch64) 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-A15 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-A57 MPCore processor, enables early software development before silicon availability and an ARM Versatile™ Reference Virtual Platform built on ARM Fast Models technology.

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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.

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Support

ARM training courses and Active Assist on-site system-design advisory services enable licensees to integrate efficiently the Cortex-A57 MPCore processor into their design to realize maximum system performance with lowest risk and fastest time-to-market.