IBM goes for Cortex and Mali IP from ARM

IBM has licensed a range of processor and other silicon IP from ARM which includes ARM Cortex-A15, Cortex-A12, Cortex-A7 and Cortex-M4 processors, as well as the ARM Mali-450 Graphic Processing Unit (GPU). IBM plans to use these IPs in designing custom SoC and processor chips for its clients in the wired and wireless communications area for products such as network routers, switches and the cellular base stations . IBM can now mix and match ARM IP with its own PowerPC architecture.

“IBM’s manufacturing leadership and expertise in semiconductor innovation means that this agreement will result in a highly competitive portfolio of custom ARM-based solutions being deployed by leading networking infrastructure companies worldwide,” said Tom Cronk, executive vice president and general manager, Processor Division, ARM, "Building on their longstanding engagement on ARM Artisan Physical IP, IBM’s extensive commitment to ARM Cortex CPU and ARM Mali GPU technology reflects the increasing demand for optimized-for-function, energy efficient platforms.”