ARM announces the latest addition to the family of ultra-efficient ARM application processors, the ARM Cortex-A32 processor, targeting next-generation embedded products. The Cortex-A32 processor brings the benefits of the ARMv8-A architecture into power-constrained, 32-bit embedded applications. The Cortex-A32 is the smallest and most power-efficient core in the range.
The Cortex-A5 and Cortex-A7 processors, which are based on the ARMv7-A architecture, are among the most widely adopted application processors, powering a huge variety of embedded applications.
The Cortex-A32, a 32-bit processor built on the ARMv8-A architecture, is 25 percent more efficient than the current leading ARM embedded 32-bit core, the Cortex-A7, and delivers higher performance while using less power. In its smallest configuration, the Cortex-A32 occupies less than 0.25 mm2 of silicon area while consuming less than 4mW of total power at 100 MHz in a 28nm process node.
The Cortex-A32 can be configured in multiple ways from single- to quad-core. This makes it scalable enough to serve the smallest and most efficient compute devices through to Internet of Things (IoT) gateways and industrial compute applications.
The Cortex-A32 includes ARM TrustZone technology to provide a secure foundation in the SoC hardware. TrustZone is a widely deployed security technology, providing banking-class trust capability in devices such as premium smartphones.
While it includes cryptographic instructions for efficient authentication and protection, the Cortex-A32 can also be coupled with TrustZone CryptoCell-700 series products to enable enhanced cryptographic hardware acceleration and advanced root of trust.
