ARMv8 Architecture

The ARMv8 architecture introduces 64-bit support to the ARM architecture with a focus on power-efficient implementation while maintaining compatibility with existing 32-bit software. By adopting a clean approach ARMv8 processors, such as the ARM Cortex-A57 and ARM Cortex-A53, extend the performance range available while maintaining the low power consumption characteristics of the ARM processors that will power tomorrow's most innovative and efficient devices.

Increased availability of larger registers for general purpose and media instructions, a greater addressing range and cryptography instructions enable new categories of applications for superphone and tablet computing, while bringing the ARM benefits of efficient design and low power consumption to applications where 64-bit computing is already established, such as servers and network infrastructure, promising to revolutionize the data center.

The ARMv8 architecture maintains compatibility with the comprehensive software ecosystem for 32-bit components enabling a wealth of software optimized for existing ARM processors to benefit from the enhanced performance of processors based on the ARMv8 architecture, while the addition of 32-bit cryptographic instructions enable further optimization for emerging requirements.

Developing the software to make best use of the new 64-bit capabilities requires the availability of excellent tools, test platforms and key open source components. While developing the architecture and the processors based on ARMv8-A, ARM has also ensured that the essential tools for development are available to software developers today, enabling the ARM software ecosystem to continue to innovate around the Architecture for the Digital World.

ARM Development Studio 5 (DS-5)

The latest ARM Development Studio 5 (DS-5™ for ARMv8) toolchain is a suite of professional software development tools for ARM processors and extends its world-leading capabilities to the ARMv8-A architecture.

Linaro

For GNU tools and linux kernel support, pre-built versions are available through the Linaro website www.linaro.org/engineering/ARMv8

ARM Fast Models

Used in conjunction with DS-5 for ARMv8, ARM Fast Models can help developers debug, analyse, and optimize their applications throughout the development cycle, providing a flexible platform for software testing prior to the availability of silicon.

ARMv8 Foundation Model

To enable a broad community of developers ARM is making available the ARMv8 Foundation Model, based on ARM Fast Model technology, that provides the essentials needed to prove software prior to readily available silicon platforms.