Cambridge, UK-based Advanced RISC Machines Ltd, the chip design joint venture of Acorn Computers Plc, Apple Computer Inc and VLSI Technology Inc has launched the latest member of its RISC family, the ARM610, which is designed for the embedded control and portable devlice market. The design was instigated in November 1991, soon after the launch of the ARM6 family, and first silicon was produced in February, the company says, with VLSI and GEC Plessey Semiconductors Ltd both producing working parts.The ARM610 is a 32-bit microprocessor with the same features as the ARM600 – on-chip memory management unit, 4Kb cache, write buffer and full boundary scan. Clocked at 20MHz, it is claimed to run at up to 15 MIPS. The ARM610 eliminates the co-processor interface to reduce packaging size, and it comes in a 144 pin ultra-thin quad flat pack. No price or availability details have been given.
