Kontron extends focus to ARM
Author : Alistair Winning
12 September 2011
The news of the week was definitely Kontron announcing that it will extend its strategic focus to ARM processor technology.
The news of the week was definitely Kontron announcing that it will extend its strategic focus to ARM processor technology. Even though Kontron has previously supplied a limited selection of ARM-based modules and boards, the company has probably been on of Intel’s strongest allies in the Embedded marketplace and as such has mainly focussed on x86 architecture.
Now the company announced that it will launch a series of ARM-based modules and boards this year, which will be followed by a new modular format optimised for use with ARM SoCs. The modules will enable single-, dual-, and quad-core processors to be used in most vertical markets. The module launch will be followed by an expanded SBC family as well as tablet PC, box PC and HMIs in 2012. All ARM solutions will be available as standard solutions, or customer specified designs.
The reasons given by Kontron for the switch in strategy are the current ease of porting between RISC and CISC architectures and the increase of software support for ARM processors from companies such as Microsoft. Kontron stated that its ARM products would be ready for Windows 8 launch, and will also support common embedded operating systems such as QNX, Green Hill and VxWorks.
"Many of our customers want to branch out on the processor technology they use", states Dirk Finstel, CTO of Kontron. "The actual processor architecture is becoming less relevant as a decision criterion. Price, power consumption and performance per watt are now amongst the most important factors. One can also say that - after the revolution which x86 technology triggered off - a new era has begun in which, thanks to the extensive software support, the boundaries of processor technology are disappearing as the software eco-system has been extended to further technology platforms. This is why it is a logical step for us to launch solutions for ARM and RISC technologies which are very closely related."
Along with the corresponding hardware platforms, Kontron will be focusing heavily on software support and additional services such as customisation, driver adoption and porting applications.
Kontron have always supplied a wide variety of x86 boards, so it does seem like a natural evolution to expand to ARM-based devices. This is especially true as ARM processors are getting more powerful and filling applications up the chain into the areas Kontron targets. For Intel and AMD who are both trying to enter the Embedded market the news won’t be so encouraging.
Most Viewed Articles...