ARM, Philips Develop Clockless Processor

Online staff -- Electronic News, 10/27/2004

Royal Philips Electronics’ Handshake Solutions and ARM today said they have jointly developed a clockless, compact ARM processor to addresses low power consumption and low electro-magnetic interference for next-generation smart card, consumer electronics and automotive consumer apps.

Using Handshake's self-timed technology, the processor's asynchronous logic circuit design does not need clock signals and uses logic modules that are self-timed to convey results. Handshake’s technology is already implemented in commercial applications such as smart cards, advanced pagers, In-Vehicle Network transceivers, and cordless handsets. The partnership agreement will further provide Handshake with a license to develop the implementation using its design flow and methodology.

This new ARM processor is compliant with the ARMv5TE architecture and optimized for use in both synchronous and asynchronous system-on-chip designs, permitting easy integration by semiconductor makers. The key benefits of the processor include low electro-magnetic emission, reducing the probability of interfering with sensitive circuitry, and low peak currents, reducing system power requirements. Asynchronous processors consume zero dynamic power when there is no activity, and thusly can significantly extend battery life. ARM has long recognized the potential of asynchronous design and has been supporting the Amulet project at Manchester University.

The ARM processor will be available as a licensable core from ARM in Q1 2005, supported by Handshake’ design tools and methodology aimed at enabling a complete design or a partially asynchronous chip.