Fujitsu Signs Deal with ARM, Will Make New Processors

With chips based on the ARM architecture getting more and more widespread, Fujitsu decided to enlarge its portfolio, so it entered a license agreement with the company in order to gain access to its IP.

Those end-users keeping tabs on the IT market may or may not know that Fujitsu and ARM have been collaborating for over ten years.

ARM is one of the major processor architectures in the world and powers pretty much every mobile phone, handset and even most tablets out there.

That said, Fujitsu has been using ARM IP in its many processors and appears to want full access to those many patents.

“Fujitsu Semiconductor provides products that meet its customers’ needs in a timely manner over a wide range of applications,” said Corporate Senior Vice President Haruyoshi Yagi of Fujitsu Semiconductor.

“We are already moving ahead with the provision of IP to ASIC customers and the development of our ASSP, which are scheduled to be rolled out sequentially in the second half of 2011.”

The recent press release states that Fujitsu will make full function SoC (system-on-chip) platforms based on such things as the Cortex-A15 chip, graphics and fabris patents, among other things.

“Fujitsu Semiconductor is working to enhance its product appeal and boost its IP lineup,” Yagi added.

“One of the major ways in which we are doing this is with this comprehensive license agreement we have signed with ARM. This will allow our customers to select the ARM technology most suited for their application, and use a platform that combines it with other IP provided by us.”

“These platforms will use our proven design and authentication technology, meaning we will be able to achieve high levels of quality and functionality, as well as a dramatic reduction in LSI development time.

In addition to the Cortex-A15 technology, Fujitsu has plans for Mali graphics and CoreLink systems.