IBM licenses ARM cores for use in SoCs
IBM has licensed a broad range of Cortex processors from ARM and plans to offer the cores to its custom chip clients for use in network routers, switches and basestations.
"IBM is a top provider of custom built SoC technology to communications companies, the technology that has powered much of the mobile computing revolution," said Steve Ray, IBM's vp of microelectronics. "With the addition of the ARM's advanced 32bit microprocessors and peripherals to our Power based offerings, our clients will have the broadest array of silicon technology and design services available – giving them the ability to create the next generation of communications hardware."
Under the deal, IBM gets access to Cortex-A15, Cortex-A12, Cortex-A7 and Cortex-M4 processor cores, as well as the Mali-450 gpu.
Tom Cronk, general manager of ARM's processor division, added: "IBM's manufacturing leadership and expertise in semiconductor innovation means this agreement will result in a highly competitive portfolio of custom ARM based solutions being deployed by leading networking infrastructure companies worldwide."
