ARM Cortex-R8 raises realtime performance
Julien Happich -February 19, 2016
The ARM Cortex-R8 processor unveiled by the Cambridge-based IP company is expected to help chip designers double the performance of ARM-based modem and mass storage device SoCs.
A quad-core configuration dramatically boosts the total Cortex-R8 performance, which when combined with its real time features and extended low-latency memory makes Cortex-R8 the highest performing processor in its class, says the company.
The Cortex-R8 can be configured as single, dual, triple, or quad coherent cores, which when combined with Cortex-R8's other advanced features more than double its performance compared to the Cortex-R7. It enables significantly larger tightly coupled memories (TCMs) – up to 1MB of instruction TCM and 1MB of data TCM per core. The IP can be configured with 12, 16, 20, or 24 memory protection unit regions.
Cortex-R8 includes out-of-order instruction execution and dynamic register re-naming, combined with advanced branch prediction, superscalar execution capability, and fast hardware support for divide, DSP, and floating-point functions. This makes the device suitable for the highest LTE categories, supporting modems that manage multiple carriers and achieve the very high throughputs, and provides a solid path to deliver 5G modems.
ARM silicon partners have already begun design work and SoCs based on the Cortex-R8 targeting the mass storage market segment are likely to be available in 2016. Modem designs using Cortex-R8 processors will support the rollout of the new LTE-Advanced Pro and 5G standards.