MIPS challenges ARM's Cortex with Aptiv launch

LONDON – In a move reminiscent of ARM's three-tiered Cortex product launch a few years back, processor IP licensor MIPS Technologies Inc. (Sunnyvale, Calif.) has introduced three families of Aptiv processor cores addressing the mid, high and low ends of the licensible processor core market.

MIPS has announced the multicore capable proAptiv, interAptiv and microAptiv families, each offering distinct performance levels for applications across MIPS target markets in home entertainment, networking, mobile and embedded applications. This mimics the Cortex-A, Cortex-R and Cortex-M approach to the market of rival licensor ARM Holdings plc (Cambridge, England).

The Aptiv cores are based on the MIPS32 Release 3 architecture. At the top end proAptiv is taking aim at ARM's Cortex-A15 processor while in the microAptiv range it is looking to address the energy efficiency and small memory footprint requirements of the microcontroller market currently being dominated by ARM's Cortex-M series cores.

Clive Maxfield's detailed write up of the Aptiv product range can be found here.

All Aptiv core families are available to be licensed in mid-2012 supporting a range of functional and performance points with single and multi-core versions.


Click on image to enlarge.

How MIPS' three Aptiv families follow on from established cores. Source: MIPS Technologies Inc.


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www.mips.com

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