Thought Windows on ARM was snazzy? Have a gander at this. The outfit’s forthcoming ARMv8 architecture, the 1st ARM architecture to incorporate a 64-bit instruction set, has just been detailed, with a goal to expand the reach of ARM processor-based solutions “into consumer and enterprise applications where extended virtual addressing and 64-bit data processing are required.” The ARMv8 architecture contains two main execution states — AArch64 and AArch32 — and we’re apt to look the true benefits hit high-end servers first. The ARMv8 architecture specifications come in now to partners under license, with the corporate planning to reveal processors in keeping with ARMv8 during 2012, with consumer and enterprise prototype systems expected in 2014. Head on past the break for ARM’s take, or meander to the source links for AppliedMicro’s gloating.
First details of ARMv8 architecture released
SANTA CLARA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–ARM today disclosed technical details of its new ARMv8 architecture, the primary ARM architecture to incorporate a 64-bit instruction set. ARMv8 broadens the ARM architecture to embrace 64-bit processing and extends virtual addressing, building at the rich heritage of the 32-bit ARMv7 architecture upon which market leading cores similar to the Cortex™-A9 and Cortex-A15 processors are built.
“The present growth trajectory of information centers, driven by the viral explosion of social media and cloud computing, will continue to accelerate. The facility to deal with this information increase with energy-efficient solutions is essential”
The ARM architecture is exclusive in its ability to span the complete range of electronic devices and gear, from tiny sensors through to very large scale infrastructure equipment. Building at the industry standard 32-bit ARM architecture, the hot ARMv8 architecture will expand the reach of ARM processor-based solutions into consumer and enterprise applications where extended virtual addressing and 64-bit data processing are required.
The ARMv8 architecture contains two main execution states, AArch64 and AArch32. The AArch64 execution state introduces a brand new instruction set, A64 for 64-bit processing. The AArch32 state supports the prevailing ARM instruction set. The important thing features of the present ARMv7 architecture, including TrustZone®, virtualization and NEON™ advanced SIMD, are maintained or extended within the ARMv8 architecture.
“With our increasingly connected world, the marketplace for 32-bit processing continues to expand and evolve creating new opportunities for 32-bit ARMv7 based processors in embedded, real-time and open application platforms,” said Mike Muller, CTO, ARM. “We believe the ARMv8 architecture is best to enable the ARM partnership to keep growing in 32-bit application spaces and convey diverse, innovative and effort-efficient solutions to 64-bit processing markets.”
In support of the introduction of the ARMv8 architecture, ARM is operating to make certain a powerful design ecosystem to support the 64-bit instruction set. The ARM compiler and Fast Models with ARMv8 support have already been made available to key ecosystem partners. Initial support for various open source operating systems, applications and third-party tools is already in development. Working together the ARM partnership is collaborating to accelerate development of a 64-bit ecosystem, in lots of cases as a natural extension to the broad ecosystem in place to support ARMv7 based devices available in the market today.
“ARM is a vital partner for Microsoft,” said KD Hallman, general manager, Microsoft Corp. “The evolution of ARM to support a 64-bit architecture is a major development for ARM and for the ARM ecosystem. We glance forward to witnessing this technology’s potential to improve future ARM-based solutions.”
“The mix of NVIDIA’s leadership in energy-efficient, high-performance processing and the hot ARMv8 architecture will enable game-shifting breakthroughs in devices around the full range of computing – from smartphones through to supercomputers,” said Dan Vivoli, senior vp, NVIDIA.
“The present growth trajectory of information centers, driven by the viral explosion of social media and cloud computing, will continue to accelerate. The facility to address this information increase with energy-efficient solutions is essential,” said Vinay Ravuri, vp and general manager of AppliedMicro’s Processor Business Unit. “The ARM 64-bit architecture provides the correct balance of performance, efficiency and price to scale to satisfy these growing demands and we’re very excited to be a number one partner in implementing solutions in keeping with the ARMv8 architecture.”
The ARMv8 architecture will enable the event of ARM architecture compatible devices that may be designed to maximise the advantages across both 32-bit and 64-bit application areas. This can bring the benefits of energy-efficient 64-bit computing to new applications equivalent to high-end servers and computing, in addition to offering backwards compatibility and migration for existing software through a consistent architecture.
The ARMv8 architecture specifications describing all aspects of the ARMv8 architecture are available in now to partners under license. ARM will disclose processors in keeping with ARMv8 during 2012, with consumer and enterprise prototype systems expected in 2014.
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