Arm adds virtual devices and launches Cortex-M85 processor
In addition to expanding Arm Virtual Hardware, Arm launches the Arm Cortex-M85 processor, describing it as the high performing and most secure Cortex-M to date.
The Arm Total Solution for Cloud Native Edge Devices is the first designed for Cortex-A and based on Corstone-1000.
(Arm Total Solutions for IoT combines hardware IP, platform software, machine learning (ML) models and tools collated to simplify development and accelerate product design. The Arm Corstone is a pre-integrated, pre-verified IP sub-system.)
According to Arm, this version for cloud native edge devices makes the power and potential of platform OS like Linux available to IoT developers. It allows application-class workloads to be developed for smart wearables, gateways and high-end smart cameras.
The Corstone-1000 is Arm SystemReady-IR compliant and features a hardware secure enclave that supports PSA Certified for a higher level of security. According to Arm, OEMs can immediately enjoy the benefits of Project Cassini.
The new Total Solution for Voice Recognition is based on the Corstone-310 sub-system. It is pre-integrated with the new Cortex-M85 and the Arm Ethos-U55 and is Arm’s highest ever performance microcontroller-based design, said the company. Target applications range from smart speakers and thermostats to drones and factory robots. Developers can also take the Corstone-310 and create additional products by combining it with different reference software, advised Arm.
The other announcement is the launch of the Arm Cortex-M85. This is a natural architectural upgrade path to Armv8-M for applications requiring significantly higher performance, said the company.
It offers a 30 per cent scalar performance uplift, compared to the Cortex-M7 and includes Arm Helium technology to support endpoint ML and DSP workloads, In addition to Arm TrustZone technology, security features include Pointer Authentication and Branch Target Identification (PACBTI). This is a new architectural feature with enhanced software attack threat mitigation to help achieve PSA Certified Level 2. According to Arm, this is a security baseline for IoT deployments.
There are also several new Arm Virtual Hardware virtual devices, including Arm Virtual Hardware for the new Corstone designs as well as seven new Cortex-M processors ranging from Cortex-M0 to Cortex-M33. Arm is also expanding the library with third party hardware from partners including NXP, ST Microelectronics and Raspberry Pi.
Arm Cortex-M85, Corstone-310 and Corstone-1000 are available for licensing now and can be accessed immediately in the cloud as part of Arm Total Solutions for IoT.
Arm Virtual Hardware can be accessed at https://avh.arm.com. Third party hardware is available from partners including NXP (iMX8 Arm Cortex Complex), ST Microelectronics (STM32U5 Discovery Kit) and Raspberry Pi (RPi4).
