TI And ARM Partner To Advance Wireless Innovation With New ARM Processor

New ARM® Cortex™-A8 processor-based open platform breaks power and performance barriers provides for next-generation mobile devices and applications  

DALLAS, TEXAS AND CAMBRIDGE, UK - Oct. 4, 2005 – Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) (NYSE: TXN), and ARM [(LSE:ARM); (Nasdaq:ARMHY)] today announced at the ARM Developers’ Conference  in Santa Clara, Calif., that TI is the first licensee and ARM’s lead Partner in the development of the new ARM® Cortex™-A8 processor. TI intends to use the Cortex-A8 processor across a range of next-generation, ultra-low power 3G modems and high-performance, OMAP™ application processors manufactured in 65nm processes and enhanced by TI’s SmartReflex™ power and performance management technologies and M-Shield™ security solution.

The rapid convergence of digital entertainment and communications requires a new level of system performance and security, all within a low-cost, low-power, high-performance framework based on open processing platforms. The ARM Cortex-A8 processor will be a key driver, enabling handset manufacturers to deliver more than four times the performance of existing solutions for applications such as mobile entertainment, communications and gaming.  The Cortex-A8 processor was specifically designed with the technical demands of these marketplace needs in mind, while still enabling TI and its customers to meet tight time-to-market constraints.

“TI has been one of ARM’s lead Partners for more than 12 years, and during this time we have shipped an impressive 1.7 billion ARM processor-based chips,” said Gilles Delfassy, TI’s senior vice president of its Wireless Terminals Business Unit.  “TI built the industry’s leading baseband processing product and OMAP applications processor by combining ARM processors with TI DSPs for telecom and multimedia and by supporting micro-computing based on open standards.  And now, as the first Cortex-A8 processor licensee, TI continues to be first-to-market with the most advanced wireless processing solutions.  We look forward to continuing to bring new applications and devices to the mobile consumer marketplace.”

“The rapid evolution of wireless and consumer products is demanding greater processing performance, combined with exceptional power efficiency and system security, to deliver exciting new features and services to end users,” said Warren East, CEO, ARM.  “TI was our first silicon Partner to license and implement the technology in its upcoming wireless designs.”

Cortex-A8 Processor Benefits

The Cortex-A8 processor is the first applications processor based on the next-generation ARMv7 architecture, and features Thumb®-2 technology for greater performance, energy efficiency, and code density. It includes the first implementation of the powerful NEON™ multimedia extensions to accelerate media codecs such as H.264 and MP3. The Cortex-A8 solution also includes Jazelle®-RCT Java-acceleration technology to optimize Just In Time (JIT) and Dynamic Adaptive Compilation (DAC), and reduce memory footprint by up to three times. Additionally, the new processor features TrustZone® technology for secure transactions and Digital Rights Management (DRM), and Intelligent Energy Manager  (IEM) capability for low power.

Availability

The ARM Cortex-A8 processor is available for licensing from ARM now.

Texas Instruments – Making Wireless

TI is the leading manufacturer of wireless semiconductors, delivering the heart of today's wireless technology and building solutions for tomorrow.  TI provides a breadth of silicon and software and 15 years of wireless systems expertise that spans handsets and base stations for all communications standards, wireless LAN, Bluetooth and Ultra Wideband.  TI offers custom to turn-key solutions, including complete chipsets and reference designs, OMAP™ application processors, as well as core digital signal processor and analog technologies built on advanced semiconductor processes. Please visit www.ti.com/wirelesspressroom for additional information.

About Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments Incorporated provides innovative DSP and analog technologies to meet our customers’ real world signal processing requirements.  In addition to Semiconductor, the company’s businesses include Sensors & Controls, and Educational & Productivity Solutions.  TI is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and has manufacturing, design or sales operations in more than 25 countries.

Texas Instruments is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TXN.  More information is located on the World Wide Web at http://www.ti.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.