Open-Silicon Offers IoT Custom SoC System Based on ARM Cortex-M Processors

Spec2Chip Platform for Low Risk and Reduced Schedule IoT ASIC Development

MILPITAS, CA -- November 09, 2015 -- Open-Silicon, a system-optimized ASIC solution provider, has announced a scalable IoT custom SoC system utilizing ARM® Cortex®-M processors and the ARM mbed™ SDK. The IoT system, launched with an ARM Cortex-M4 processor-based SoC reference design, features ARM TrustZone® CryptoCell hardware-accelerated security technology. The new Open-Silicon system is part of the company's Spec2Chip IoT Platform that allows IoT ASIC designs to be evaluated at a system level. Open-Silicon uses its expertise in ARM technology to enable customers to achieve market-differentiating performance and power levels for its products.

The Cortex-M processor family extends from the smallest and lowest power Cortex-M0 and Cortex-M0+ cores to the most performant Cortex-M7. This offers an extremely broad range of energy-efficient and highly-capable processors to meet the needs of any smart connected embedded device. Open-Silicon will validate the Spec2Chip IoT Platform across the Cortex-M processor family, including the Cortex-M0.

The addition of Cortex-M0 support will tie in with the ARM DesignStart™ portal, recently launched by the ARM to allow free access to the Cortex-M0 for design and simulation and a fast-track US$40,000 commercial license.

"Targeting emerging IoT applications, we have implemented an FPGA-based IoT edge device evaluation and development system using ARM IP with support for peripherals such as sensor modules and radios. This allows customers to explore various HW-SW partitioning options, verify custom IP, and validate system-level use-cases with a complete software stack," said Vasan Karighattam, VP of Engineering, responsible for Architecture, SoC design, and System Software, Open-Silicon. "We are now working to enhance our platform portfolio with features required for highly-integrated IoT ASICs."

Coupled with the ARM mbed SDK providing a rich set of features and ARM TrustZone CryptoCell security subsystem, Open-Silicon's platform completes an end-to-end channel for developers.

"Together with Open-Silicon we are demonstrating the ability of the ARM ecosystem to enable technology solutions that help developers bring products to market quickly and with reduced risk," said Thomas Ensergueix, Director of Product Marketing, CPU group, ARM. "Open-Silicon's Spec2Chip IoT Platform is a compelling example as it will make it easier than ever for startups and OEMs to develop Cortex-M processor-based IoT ASICs."

"With the broadening product portfolio and new programs like ARM Designstart™, it is clear that ARM shares our vision for simplifying the path for system developers to deploy IoT platforms," said Dave Krishna, Sr. Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Open-Silicon. "This approach has already enabled us to engage a specific lead customer around a solution that will focus on an industrial IoT application using the Cortex-M0."

The first version of the FPGA development system with ARM Cortex-M4, interfaces including I2C, UART, and SPI is available with mbed SDK. It includes standard sensor modules like temperature, pressure, motion and low power radio modules such as LoRa, wirelessHART, Zigbee, and BLE. Open-Silicon has also integrated ARM TrustZone CryptoCell security technology to target uses such as secure boot and Over-The-Air software upgrades.

The demo will be showcased at Open-Silicon's booth # 731 during ARM TechCon 2015, November 10-12, 2015, Santa Clara, CA.

For more details please visit www.open-silicon.com/arm-cortex-m-iot-soc-platform

About Open-Silicon

Open-Silicon transforms ideas into system-optimized ASIC solutions within the time-to-market parameters desired by customers. The company enhances the value of customers' products by innovating at every stage of design -- architecture, logic, physical, system, software, and IP -- and then continues to partner to deliver fully tested silicon and platforms. Open-Silicon applies an open business model that enables the company to uniquely choose best-in-industry IP, design methodologies, tools, software, packaging, manufacturing, and test capabilities. The company has partnered with over 150 companies ranging from large semiconductor and systems manufacturers to high-profile start-ups, and has successfully completed 300 designs and shipped over one hundred ASICs to date. Privately-held, Open-Silicon employs over 250 people in Silicon Valley and around the world. www.open-silicon.com