ARC licenses configurable processor tech to Intel

Configurable processor provider ARC International and IntelCorp. have entered in anew multi-year, royalty bearing licensing agreement.

ARC's patented configurable processor technologyenables SoC designers to create silicon that is optimized to the end application. Designers have the freedom to retain necessary functionality while removing unneeded features in a configurable ARC subsystem or processor. The technology provides a chip with an optimal balance of speed, area and power for a specific application, resulting in a lower power, smaller chip that is less expensive to manufacture.

In addition, ARC's configurable solutions allows Intel chip developers the ability to reduce power consumption and increase a chipset's performance by adding custom instruction extensions. Additionally, ARC provides comprehensive support and training to Intel development centers in North America.

Jim McGregor, In-Stat's principal analyst and research director for enabling technologies, said, "Intel is renowned for driving the direction of technology through the development of leading-edge semiconductors and platform solutions. By combining ARC processor-based wireless broadband solutions with low-power X86 processors, Intel is underscoring its commitment to achieving flexible and power-efficient solutions through heterogeneous multi-core platforms."

McGregor added, "Intel has become a leader in wireless broadband communications through its leadership in Wi-Fi and WiMAX technology for mobile applications. In-Stat predicts that the rapid adoption of this technology could lead to close to 480 million mobile devices shipping in personal and professional applications by 2010, including mobile PCs, mobile Internet devices, ultra mobile PCs, portable media players, digital handsets, and other consumer electronicdevices."