ARM and Ignios Collaborate To Accelerate Multicore Development

Ignios has licensed ARM RealView development tools to reduce the development time for multicore systems-on-chip

OXFORD, UK AND CAMBRIDGE, UK – Sep. 27th  2005 - ARM [(LSE:ARM); (Nasdaq:ARMHY)] and Ignios Ltd., a provider of semiconductor IP for the multicore system-on-chip (SoC) market, today announced that Ignios and ARM have accelerated the development of multicore solutions, by reducing the time and effort needed to develop, debug and run complex multicore simulations. 

The simulation modelled multiple ARM9™ family processors and third-party DSP processors operating together, using ARM® RealView® development tools with MaxSim™ technology and Ignios’ multicore-enabling SystemWeaver™ technology. The flexibility of the RealView development solution enables additional bus layers, processors and memory to be added or removed. In addition, the System Weaver technology enables software developed for one platform to be targeted at other platforms, without recompilation. Both technologies work together to speed up the early design cycle of advanced SoC platforms.

“Demonstrating SystemWeaver support for the market-leading ARM9 family processor is a very significant step for Ignios,” said Rick Clucas, CEO, Ignios. “Our complementary technologies prove that rapid development of complex multicore systems is now a reality, facilitated by the combination of the ARM RealView ESL simulation tools and Ignios’ SystemWeaver run-time multicore system management.”

RealView ESL tools with MaxSim technology incorporate many features that support multicore development and analysis, including the ability to rapidly bring together diverse simulation models with high run-time efficiency. For example, a representative multicore system that includes cycle accurate models of two ARM9 family processors, two DSP cores and the SystemWeaver core operates fast enough to enable software developers to test real application code long before the availability of silicon.

“'With the industry now embracing multicore solutions, ARM is committed to helping its Partners develop their products faster so that they can capitalize on this opportunity,” said Seth Bernsen, product manager, RealView MaxSim Tools, ARM. “Ignios’ use of ARM technology in the exploration of multicore platforms is another example of the wide adoption of RealView ESL tools for rapid prototyping and analysis of very high complexity, multicore SoCs.”

SystemWeaver technology provides a number of benefits that accelerate the process of software development for multicore designs. The software developer sees the same multi-threaded programming model independent of the number of cores present in the SoC, and the technology also provides a powerful debug capability.  SystemWeaver ensures that the resulting code executes efficiently on the available processing resources, and the optimum architecture can be carried forward to silicon implementation with the model’s debug capabilities.

Availability

A SystemWeaver ESL model, compliant with the RealView ESL tools, as well as reference system platform models, is available with immediate effect from Ignios.

About SystemWeaver

SystemWeaver addresses the software and hardware challenges presented by the proliferation of all multicore architectures – simple and complex – in the embedded chip market. The SystemWeaver API provides a unified abstraction layer for complex multicore devices. This abstraction allows embedded systems companies to develop and debug multicore applications more effectively, improving time to market. The key underlying system management and communications functions are implemented natively in a SystemWeaver IP core that is integrated on-chip. SystemWeaver unlocks the full performance of the multicore hardware, with significant cost, power and performance benefits that maximize product competitiveness.

SystemWeaver release v1.0 is available now and consists of the parameterisable, synthesisable SystemWeaver IP core and the SystemWeaver API. A SystemC model of the core and reference models of SystemWeaver-enabled SoCs are also provided.

About Ignios Ltd.

Ignios was established in 2003 to develop and market products that enable the real-time on-chip system management of multicore SoC devices. Ignios raised a total of $3.8 million in a first round of private financing early in 2004. The funding round was jointly led by Alice Lab and BTG. Further information on Ignios can be found at www.ignios.com.

About ARM

ARM designs the technology that lies at the heart of advanced digital products, from wireless, networking and consumer entertainment solutions to imaging, automotive, security and storage devices. ARM’s comprehensive product offering includes 16/32-bit RISC microprocessors, data engines, 3D processors, digital libraries, embedded memories, peripherals, software and development tools, as well as analog functions and high-speed connectivity products.  Combined with the company's broad Partner community, they provide a total system solution that offers a fast, reliable path to market for leading electronics companies. More information on ARM is available at http://www.arm.com.