ARM and Microsoft Work Together to Extend Windows CE Platform
SAN MATEO, Calif. — December 5, 1996 — Advanced RISC Machines (ARM) today announced it is working with Microsoft Corporation to port the new Windows CE platform to the popular ARM RISC microprocessor architecture.
As the leading designer of microprocessors for consumer and portable electronics, ARM's strong semiconductor partnership and high-performance, power-efficient technology will enable Microsoft to extend the reach of Windows CE from Handheld PCs to a broad range of communications, entertainment and mobile computing devices.
"In the four years since Apple pioneered the use of ARM in portable devices with the Newton MessagePad, ARM CPUs have been designed into cellular phones, pagers, GPS units, radios, wireless LANs — almost any kind of portable device you can think of. A port of Windows CE to ARM will expand the already large pool of software available, making it easier for OEMs to quickly adapt products to different or shifting markets," said Steve Williams, director of Business Development for ARM's Portable Segment.
"Microsoft is pleased to announce Windows CE support for the ARM RISC architecture," said Harel Kodesh, general manager of the consumer appliance group at Microsoft. "ARM adds considerable experience optimizing CPU designs for small footprint operating systems and will help ensure that OEMs will have a wide choice of high-performance semiconductors upon which to build new Windows CE-based devices."
"We are delighted that Microsoft plans to port their latest software technology to the ARM architecture. Several of our semiconductor partners plan to incorporate this new platform into system-chip silicon solutions. As the emerging defacto standard in embedded RISC microprocessors, we believe this collaboration will further fuel this industry's rapid growth," said Robin Saxby, CEO and president of ARM.
ARM's industry-leading price/performance and power efficiency make the ARM architecture an ideal solution for cost- and power-sensitive markets such as wireless communications and portable computing.
The ARM7 family of processors includes the ARM7100 and ARM7500(FE) single-chip solutions, and the ARM7TDMI "Thumb," widely used for its low power consumption, excellent price/performance, fast interrupt response and code density. Additional processors include the ARM810 and StrongARM, which deliver supercomputer performance from two AA batteries.
ARM's RISC processor technology is supported by leading operating systems, applications software and development tools. Operating systems for portable and consumer electronics available on ARM today include Accelerated Technology Nucleus PLUS, Acorn RISC OS, Eden OS, Etnoteam EOS, ISI pSOS, JavaSoft JavaOS, Microware OS-9, Perihelion Helios, Psion EPOC32 and Wind River Tornado.
Applications include web browsers, Java interpreters, email clients, word processors, spreadsheets, protocol stacks, compression and encryption. A wide range of easy-to-use, hardware and software development tools are available from ARM, its semiconductor partners and third parties.
Advanced RISC Machines (ARM)
ARM is the leader in microprocessor Intellectual Property. ARM designs and licenses fast, low cost, power efficient RISC processors, peripherals and "system-chip" solutions for embedded control, consumer/educational multimedia, DSP and portable applications. ARM supports its processor offerings with Development Hardware and Software and contract Design Services.
ARM licenses its technology to leading semiconductor, software, and OEM partners worldwide who focus on applications, design and manufacturing. Each partner offers unique ARM-related technologies and services which together satisfy a broad range of end-user needs. Through this partnering, ARM is rapidly becoming the global volume RISC standard. ARM has offices in Cambridge, U.K.; Los Gatos, Calif.; Munich, Germany; and Tokyo.
To learn more about ARM, visit the web site at http://www.arm.com
Note to Editors: ARM and the ARM Powered logo are trademarks of Advanced RISC Machines Limited. Microsoft, Windows and Win32 are either registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
SEMICONDUCTOR PARTNER ENDORSEMENTS:
"As a communications chip supplier, we are increasingly involved with computer integration of terminal equipment. We are using ARM in several new designs aimed at reducing the cost of private and business communication."
David Long
Marketing Manager
Alcatel Mietec
"As the leading worldwide supplier of ARM-based embedded systems on a chip, Cirrus Logic looks forward to supporting Microsoft Windows CE in the coming year. Windows CE makes an excellent Windows 95 companion which could accelerate the acceptance of handheld computers and information appliances."
George Alexy
Senior Vice President of Marketing
Cirrus Logic
"The availability of Microsoft's Windows CE software platform for the StrongARM microprocessor is a positive development both for Digital Semiconductor and for users who want the highest performance and longest battery life that the industry can offer in a handheld computer. The combination of Windows CE and StrongARM performance will put powerful, heretofore unavailable features in the hands of a rapidly growing mobile workforce."
Ed Caldwell
Vice President
Digital Semiconductor
"This development will further encourage the use of the ARM architecture by customers in GEC Plessey Semiconductors' target markets."
Tony Dent
Embedded Systems Manager
GEC Plessey Semiconductor
"We are extremely pleased to see Windows CE support for ARM products. In recent years, there have been many sorts of platforms to meet the marketplace demands for mobile applications. However, the combination of ARM products and Windows CE will set a standard in mobile computing by exploiting the low power/high density capability of ARM as well as the perception of the Windows environment. LG Semicon is excited about moving forward on this opportunity and collaborating with our sister company by offering a complete solution for HPC, PDA and other future mobile applications."
Sun H. Choi
Executive Director, SD laboratory
LG Semicon Co., Ltd.
"The ARM architecture will be a key contributor to Samsung's mobile computing and portable products strategy. We welcome and applaud Microsoft's decision to port its Windows CE platform to the popular ARM family."
Mike Erwin
Associate Director of Microcontroller Marketing
Samsung Semiconductor, Inc.
"The availability of Windows/CE on the ARM architecture extends the CPU family as the defacto standard in the recently revitalized Handheld PC and PDA markets. VLSI believes that this effort will allow us to offer customers a complete silicon and software solution in the rapidly growing area of low power consumer information appliances."
Ray Slusarczyk
Director, Strategic Marketing
VLSI Technology
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