ARM announced it is expanding the ways partners can access and license its technology for semiconductor design. Arm Flexible Access is a new engagement model enabling SoC design teams to initiate projects before they license IP and pay only for what they use at production. Through Arm Flexible Access, businesses will enable their design teams with more freedom to experiment, evaluate and innovate, the company said in a statement.
The new model is part of the company's strategy to move beyond mobile devices to target the expanding IoT ecosystem. Several partners, including AlphaICs, Invecas and Nordic Semiconductor, have signed on to this new Arm engagement model and already have access to a wide range of IP products, support tools and training.
Arm Flexible Access complements standard Arm licensing which will continue to be available for partners seeking access to Arm’s full product portfolio and most advanced IP. With Arm Flexible Access they pay a "modest" fee for immediate access to a broad portfolio of technology, then pay a licence fee only when they commit to manufacturing, followed by royalties for each unit shipped.
This portfolio includes all the essential IP and tools needed for an SoC design, ARM said. IP available through Arm Flexible Access includes the majority of Arm-based processors within the Arm Cortex-A, -R and -M families. These CPUs accounted for 75 percent of all Cortex CPU licenses signed over the last two years. It also includes Arm TrustZone and CryptoCell security IP, select Mali GPUs, system IP alongside tools and models for SoC design and early software development. Access to Arm’s global support and training services are also included.
