Analysis: Intel, ARM seen on collision course

Mark LaPedus, EE Times
(03/02/2009 9:04 PM EST)

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Heading towards a collision course with ARM Holdings plc in the embedded world, Intel Corp. for the first time will transfer a processor technology outside to a silicon foundry.

As reported, Intel, based here, will port unspecified Atom processor cores to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.'s technology platform, including processes, IP, libraries and design flows under the terms of an agreement between the two companies announced Monday (March 2).

The deal goes beyond a simple foundry or intellectual-property (IP) deal, however. Besides attempting to lower the manufacturing cost structure for the Atom processor, Intel is attempting to reach more customers for the processor in four key markets: consumer, embedded, handheld and netbooks.

In addition to Intel, customers can now gain access to Atom and other IP at TSMC (Hsinchu, Taiwan) as a result of the deal with the foundry giant. With the TSMC deal, Intel also hopes to jumpstart the slumping electronics market with new IC design activity.

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