ARM sets sights for 28nm

UK chip designer ARM has signed a deal with three major manufacturers to develop low-drain processors at 32n and 28nm-scale miniaturisation.

The“multi-year alliance” with IBM, Singapore-based Chartered Semiconductor, and Samsung should help chipmakers using the ARM architecture to compete with Intel, which is due to shift to 32nm scale next year.

Intel and ARM architectures are beginning to compete with the emergence of truly portable computers. This is because devices emerging from the ARM-based mobile-phone market are getting smarter as portable Intel-based PCs get smaller and more power-efficient.

ARM claims to be more efficient than Intel designs, particularly on standby power, but this architectural edge could be offset as Intel’s frugal Atom chips scale down to 32nm.

The new scale of miniaturisation is enabled by IBM’s High-K Metal Gate technology, which reduces leakage current across the nanoscopic processor gates.

A starement from ARM said the company would “develop and license a design platform of physical intellectual property (IP) including logic, memory and interface products for the Common Platform technology alliance of IBM, Chartered and Samsung for distribution to their customers.*

It said it would also optimise its Cortx cores for the Compon Platform technology.
The statement said th latest deal would “accelerate the market availability of next generation mobile devices with unmatched performance, outstanding battery life and reduced cost.”