ARM Community: I like "PC-like" - ARM Reaches into Computer on Module - ARM Community

I’ve been in the embedded x86 business for many years. During this time, I came to like the openness and flexibility offered by embedded PC technology. Consequently I also like the latest ARM processors working in a more PC-like way. Not because of the PC-like functionality itself, this is nothing new. I like them because they deliver it in a very attractive ultra-low power envelope. This opens up a load of new windows for completely new applications. End customers of embedded hardware also like this new technology very much. They like the power savings and the lightweight system designs. They like endless ‘always on’ mobility. They like the long term availability of over 10 years. So they like the range of benefits that we were never able to deliver in this specific PC-like ultra-low power configuration before. Consequently we expect customers will definitely like to adopt this new technology very quickly. But how quick is quick and what is the most efficient way?



Re-use standard form-factors for PC-like ARM technology
We had long discussions on why ARM architecture is and is not suitable for form factor standardization. We concluded that there is at least one sector where it definitely is suitable: Amazing new processors such as the NVIDIA® Tegra™ 2, Tegra 3 or Texas Instruments(TI) Sitara AM3874 – to name just a few – can be put on standard boards such as Kontron’s Pico-ITX or Mini-ITX. This allows engineers to re-use the entire electro and mechanical hardware ecosystem of these x86 standards to build PC-like ARM box PCs or panel PCs and so on. These are very efficient and fast. Hence, we strongly believe that this standard orientation will be liked by customers.



Define new standards for PC-like ARM technology
Another result of our discussions was that not all existing form factors are suitable. A new specification for computer-on-modules (COM) was required to enable a standardized design approach to include modular, highly customizable ARM designs. This resulted in the development of a new specification for an ARM/SoC module standard for ultra-low-power (ULP) Computer-on-Modules under the working title ULP-COM. The release candidate of our specification has already received global support from the embedded community with supporters such as ADLINK, Fortec and Greenbase. The expanding network of supporters is currently working on finalizing the 1.0 specification, planned for release later this year. Furthermore, supporting companies are aiming for the new ULP-COM standard to be hosted by the Standardization Group for Embedded Technologies (SGET), which is currently being founded to guarantee the further development of this vendor-independent specification. So we’re acting very PC-like in this area. But this is not all we do because PC-like ARM technologies are also different and new.



Minimize development efforts with PC-like software services
Consequently we want to ensure that the process of customers getting started with PC-like ARM technology will be as hassle free as possible. To minimize development efforts and the associated risks even further we provide customers with comprehensive design-in support. This is carried out mostly on the hardware-level because it is required more with ARM technology than it is in the x86 sectors. But we also dramatically enhanced our software design-in support. This includes extensive standard OS support including services for third party driver implementations and application adaptations, all from a single source. By receiving this comprehensive software-support as an additional service from a one-stop-shop, OEM customers are able to focus on the development of PC-like applications without having to traverse a learning curve for the underlying processor architecture. This drives the time to market and TCO down to a minimum. I hope you like that too.



Did I miss any of the benefits or challenges of ARM in the Computer On Module market?

Guest Partner Blogger:
Norbert Hauser, Executive Vice President Marketing, Kontron. After working 4 years as a technical marketing engineer at Hewlett Packard, he has held several management positions in international sales and marketing at Kontron Modular Computers (formerly PEP Modular Computers) in Kaufbeuren. He holds a Dipl. Ing. (FH) degree in Technical Computer Science from the University for Applied Sciences of Ulm, Germany.

ARM welcomes its wealth of Partners in the ARM Connected Community (CC) to submit guest blogs to be published on our multiple community blogs. If interested in participating please submit email inquiries to Tell.Us@arm.com.

The ARM Connected Community (CC) is an extensive ecosystem covering all aspects of ARM processor-based design, from chip implementation through to system and device design. The CC provides a platform for collaborative innovation, with multiple types of forums for members to work with one another, and with customers, to solve industry challenges, all with the purpose of enabling designers to focus on differentiating features and an accelerated time-to-market for ARM powered solutions.