NXP Semiconductor is first to license ARM Cortex-M0 processor

NXP Semiconductor has announced that it will be the first ARM Partner to license the new ARM Cortex-M0 processor. The Cortex-M0 processor is the smallest, lowest power and most energy efficient processor available from ARM. NXP intends to use the Cortex-M0 processor for a wide range of applications. Its compact size, energy efficiency and performance make it ideal for power management tasks in SoCs, ASSPs, and stand-alone microcontrollers. Potential applications include battery-powered consumer devices, advanced utility metering, lighting, intelligent power and motor control.

"This licensing agreement enables NXP to continue to lead in the MCU market place and provide a continuum of ARM technology-based processors to meet various performance, power, and price needs" said Geoff Lees, vice president and general manager, Microcontroller Division, NXP Semiconductors. "The Cortex-M0 processor is the new entry level solution offering customers ease of use through its very small Thumbcompatible instruction set, and low cost industry standard development tools."

NXP's ARM microcontroller portfolio is based around the already well-established cores from the ARM7TDMI, the ARM968, the ARM926, to the Cortex-M3 processors.