ARM Unveils IP Portfolio Program - New Model for ARM IP

Socle Technology Corp, one of the world’s leading-edge providers of SoC design, is first member of ARM’s IP Portfolio Program which enables fabless design houses to exploit the widest range of ARM technology as part of a full turnkey service. 

CAMBRIDGE, UK – Nov. 20, 2008 – ARM today announced the ARM IP Portfolio Program, an innovative business and engagement model for companies offering custom ASIC design services. The initiative provides access to a comprehensive range of ARM® IP and an opportunity for closer cooperation on new business opportunities. ARM also announced that Socle Technology Corporation, a leading system-on-chip (SoC) design service and solution provider in Taiwan, is the first member of the new program and will offer the service worldwide. 

Under the terms of the ARM IP Portfolio Program, selected companies can license a package of ARM technology (including processor, graphics, fabric & physical IP), which can be applied according to customer requirements. Immediate access accelerates time to market and provides the flexibility to adapt as requirements change from initial design through to manufacture. Compatibility between fully optimized ARM technologies also reduces risk and increases the likelihood of creating a competitive and compelling final solution.

The first member of the program, Socle Technology Corporation, has licensed the ARM11™ processor family, the Mali™-200 and Mali-55 cores for advanced 3D consumer graphics, CoreSight™ technology for advanced debug and trace capability and a full range of configurable AMBA®  PrimeCell® peripherals (including interconnect, dynamic and static memory controllers, DMA controllers, and Level 2 Cache Controllers). Each item of IP also includes ARM support and maintenance as a condition of the license.

“At Socle, we are committed to working closely together with other industry leaders to deliver high-quality, low-power, energy-efficient solutions to our customer base,” said David Lyou, president and CEO, Socle Technology Corporation.  “Socle’s SoC design platforms, SoC-ImP® and μPlatform®, with rapid access to ARM technology and Chartered’s advanced foundry process will further enable us to provide higher-performance, more reliable and predictable design and development solutions to our OEM customers, and improve faster time-to-market for their digital devices.”

Chartered, one of the world's leading dedicated semiconductor foundries, has invested in Socle as the major shareholder, with an eye to closer design collaboration and to provide a one-stop-shop ASIC solution in advanced process nodes.

“Socle Technology is well known as a leading provider of ARM technology-based embedded platform design solutions and our partnership with them is the first in our new, innovative business model which sees ARM engage in a strategic partnership with this important community,” said Philip Lu, president, ARM Taiwan. “The ARM IP Portfolio Program will enable ARM, in collaboration with its Partners, to meet the requirements of the rapidly changing and fragmented supply chain with the widest possible application of optimized ARM technology.”

Socle is a member of the ARM Approved Design Center program, a world-wide partnership of service companies certified to deliver expert design services around ARM IP.  The ARM Approved Design Centers program is part of the ARM Connected Community.

About ARM
ARM designs the technology that lies at the heart of advanced digital products, from wireless, networking and consumer entertainment solutions to imaging, automotive, security and storage devices. ARM’s comprehensive product offering includes 32-bit RISC microprocessors, graphics processors, enabling software, cell libraries, embedded memories, high-speed connectivity products, peripherals and development tools. Combined with comprehensive design services, training, support and maintenance, and the company’s broad Partner community, they provide a total system solution that offers a fast, reliable path to market for leading electronics companies. More information on ARM is available at www.arm.com 

About Socle
Socle is well-recognized as a leading-edge provider of SoC design and implementation services as well as an architect for more complicated SoC design technology in advanced process nodes, such as 65nm and beyond.  Socle also has outstanding and complete ARM SoC total solutions for adapting to customer’s application needs.  Socle’s proprietary SoC design and implementation platforms, SoC-ImP® and μPlatform®, enable superior reliability and predictability for customer’s SoC design.  For providing the best design service with the one-stop-shop convenience, Socle works closely with Chartered as well as world-class assembly and testing, EDA, IP and other partners.  With integration of semiconductor technologies, Socle is able to help the customers to overcome the obstacles in ultra-deep submicron SoC design and enables faster time-to-market product development.  Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing Limited invested Socle in June 2008 as the major shareholder and strategic partner.  Socle website:  www.socle-tech.com