Rockchip Extends Partnership With ARM by Subscription License of ARM Processor and GPU Technologies

Rockchip licenses ARMv8-A and ARMv7-A architecture-based processors and ARM Mali™ family

CAMBRIDGE, UK and FUZHOU, CHINA -- November 6, 2013 -- ARM®, the world’s leading semiconductor IP supplier and Rockchip Electronics Co., Ltd., a Chinese leading fabless semiconductor company and mobile-internet SoC solution provider, announced today that Rockchip has acquired a subscription license of a broad range of ARM advanced technologies. The agreement gives Rockchip access to ARMv8-A and ARMv7 architecture-based processors including the ARM Cortex®-A57, Cortex-A53 and Cortex-A12 processors, the ARM Mali™ GPU family, as well as ARM CoreLink™ interconnect technology. This is the first subscription license to ARM in China and the first subscription license of ARM Mali solutions worldwide, enabling next-generation robotics and providing a flexible product roadmap to Rockchip and its customers for the fast-growing mobile internet and smart home markets.  

“Rockchip and ARM have a successful long-term strategic partnership that has been proven by Rockchip’s ARM Cortex-A9 processor and Mali-400 MP GPU powered RK31 series and RK30 series solutions,” said Antonio Viana, executive vice president, Commercial and Global Development, ARM. “We are pleased to extend our partnership with Rockchip to a wide range of ARM Cortex processor and ARM Mali GPU solutions. This agreement will help Rockchip to strengthen its industry leadership position in China and worldwide and to address the challenges and opportunities posed by demanding consumers of mobile internet and smart home devices.”  

“Rockchip is dedicated to bringing cutting-edge CPU and GPU technologies and solutions to our customers and end users to enable a compelling user experience on mobile devices and at home,” said Feng Chen, Chief Marketing Office, Rockchip. “This subscription license of ARM technologies enables us to continue building a comprehensive technology and product roadmap, demonstrating our commitment to enabling the next-generation Smartphone, Tablet, Android Notebook, Phablet and Internet TV products with higher performance and power efficiency for consumers across the globe.”  

ARM is at the heart of the largest, most influential and innovative ecosystem in today’s technology sector with a unique offering of diverse and scalable SoC technologies from processor, visual computing to ARM Artisan® physical IP. In the Post-PC era, ARM and its partners are leading advances in performance and energy efficiency with innovations for the mobile market, which is driving change for consumers and businesses.  

The ARMv8-A architecture first introduced 64-bit support to the ARM architecture with a focus on power-efficient implementation while maintaining compatibility with the existing 32-bit software. This extends the performance range available yet maintains the low power consumption characteristics of the ARM processors that will power tomorrow's most innovative and efficient devices. The ARM Mali family has been driving the GPU innovation required by the user experience of increasing resolutions and content complexity, more advanced and natural user interfaces (UIs), as well as next-generation image processing and visual computing. The combination of the ARM processor and GPU technologies alongside physical IP is enabling its partners to design and manufacture solutions and products for consumers in the modern age.  

About ARM

ARM designs the technology that is 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 RISC microprocessors, graphics processors, video engines, enabling software, cell libraries, embedded memories, high-speed connectivity products, peripherals and development tools. Combined with comprehensive design services, training, support and maintenance, and the company’s broad Partner community, they provide a total system solution that offers a fast, reliable path to market for leading electronics companies. ARM website: http://www.arm.com

About Rockchip  

Fuzhou Rockchip Electronics Co., Ltd. is a China leading fabless semiconductor company and mobile-internet SOC solution provider founded in Year 2001 and headquartered in Fuzhou China. Rockchip focus on chip design & SOC  total solutions on following product lines : Android Tablet, Android TV box( Smart TV), E-Book, WIFI/ Bluetooth audio solution. Owning a bunch of proprietary intellectual property rights, Rockchip has been working hard to the development of Chinese electronics industry. The chips independently developed by Rockchip had won the "China chip” for five consecutive years. The headquarters of Rockchip is in Fuzhou, responsible for designing and developing. We got three branches in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, focusing on programs and marketing. For more information, please visit Rockchip’s website at www.rock-chips.com