Date: 28/07/2009

ARM, Chartered, IBM, Samsung, and Synopsys joining hands to develop next level 32/28nm Mobile SoCs

To design advanced semiconductor devices for mobile applications ARM, Chartered Semiconductor, IBM, Samsung, Synopsys are collaborating to develop a total technology for designing and manufacturing of mobile Internet-optimized semiconductor devices.

This technology tie-up is a strategic move by these leading semiconductor companies to have technology edge over any emerging new player in the semiconductor market and the present competitors.

As per the announcement, ARM is to provide low-power processor architecture and IPs for mobile applications. IBM, Samsung, Chartered will work on 32/28-nanometer (nm) low-power/low-leakage, high-k metal-gate (HKMG) synchronized foundry services through a Common Platform. EDA expert Synopsys will take care of providing advanced chip design tools.

It's officially accepted the present semiconductor technology is reaching fundamental physical limits. But there is always a scope for new nano technology based processes to make nano devices using alternate and cheaper technologies.


IBM comments:

"The Common Platform alliance's expanded engagement approach with ARM, and now Synopsys, means working more closely together with earlier access to each other's technology innovations, integrating and optimizing our capabilities for clients," said Michael J. Cadigan, general manager, IBM Microelectronics Division, on behalf of the Common Platform alliance companies. "The benefits are clear and differentiated: lower risk, lower cost and faster time-to-market."

ARM comments:

"The complexity of advanced manufacturing process technology requires a tight connection between the physical IP, processor cores and EDA methodology," said Warren East, CEO, ARM. "Early collaboration between these leading companies will significantly improve the performance, power and area achievable by our partners and deliver increased value to the end products."

Synopsys comments:

"This unique ARM-Synopsys-Common Platform collaboration can alleviate costs and risks by harnessing the leading players in silicon technology, IP, tools and flow enablement to integrate and optimize the path from software to silicon," said Aart de Geus, chairman and CEO of Synopsys. "Through this alignment, we plan to deliver early 32/28 nanometer tool and IP enablement, plus a complete, vertically optimized design solution based on the Synopsys Lynx Design System to provide customers the lowest cost of design and fastest time-to-market for next-generation mobile SoC designs."