ARM - Ultra Low-Power Physical IP Technology To Drive Next-Generation MCU Devices

ARM has announced the availability of ultra low-power Physical IP libraries to drive the next generation of energy-efficient MCU devices. The ARM 0.18µm ultra low power libraries (uLL), coupled with the inherent power management advantages of the ARM Cortex processor family and the TSMC 0.18µm embedded flash uLL/HDR “high data retention” process provides SoC designers with additional reduction in power leakage up to 10x compared to 0.18um G implementations.

The ARM libraries, combined with the ARM Cortex-M and Cortex-R profile processors, provide a compelling alternative to companies that are accustomed to a multiple MCU system approach. Utilizing an advanced ultra low power, single 32-bit MCU and optimized ARM libraries for the TSMC 0.18µm uLL Embedded Flash/HDR process, designers can increase their design efficiency and lower overall system cost. This powerful combination of physical IP, processor architecture and leading-edge manufacturing technology enables the development of enhanced 32-bit MCUs for automotive, consumer appliance, sensor, lighting, e-metering, smart control and gaming devices.

“TSMC and ARM share a mutual commitment to provide a fully optimized design and manufacturing solution for ultra low power, energy-efficient SoCs,” said George Liu, director, Mainstream Technology Business at TSMC. “ARM’s unique ability to integrate leading-edge processor architecture and optimized physical IP for our 0.18µm uLL process provides a feature-rich solution for the power-sensitive portable device and automotive markets. This combination forms a compelling value statement for our mutual customers.”

“Consumer demand for mobile and embedded devices offering higher performance, enriched user experience and extended battery life continues to increase,” said Tom Lantzsch, vice president, physical IP division at ARM. “By utilizing our 0.18µm uLL libraries and Cortex family of processors, companies can now maximize their design and energy efficiencies through a single 32-bit MCU, fully tuned with foundry-specific libraries. This powerful combination of IP accelerates the development of next generation energy-efficient embedded devices.”

ARM low-power memory instances and Ultra High Density Standard Cell libraries, tuned for Cortex-M profile-based processors coupled with the ARM Power Management Kit(PMK) provides additional power saving benefits.

The PMK libraries minimize power consumption in several ways. They support dynamic operation of functional blocks at multiple voltages. The power gates and isolation cells enable a sleep mode and ensure fast wake-ups. The libraries are equipped with data-retention flip-flops and always-on cells. Biasing cells provide connections for well back-biasing and reduce leakage even further. All the PMK libraries are designed to achieve optimal power tradeoffs.

ARM 0.18µm uLL libraries and PMK are available at ARM’s DesignStart™ IP access website, http://designstart.arm.com/. The ARM DesignStart access program offers the most comprehensive online IP library in the industry. The DesignStart program contains more than 10,000 standard cells, memories and interconnects libraries accessible online. Several of the libraries are sponsored by the foundries and are accessible free of charge. In addition, there are industry-proven processor design kits for some of the most popular ARM processor families.