Samsung Twists ARM Past 1GHz By Applying Alpha Processor Technology to the ARM1020E

Samsung appears to have successfully leveraged experience gained from its famous and deceased Alpha processor. Its newest processor, available in IP core format, is a 1.2GHz ARM1020E core Samsung calls Halla. At Microprocessor Forum 2002, Samsung presented the circuit design techniques it used to triple the clock frequency above the typical operating frequency obtained by the out-of-the-box ARM1020E. This new core will also temporarily steal the ARM performance lead from Intel. Furthermore, except for the anticipated 2GHz MIPS32-based processor from Intrinsity, Samsung's core will rank at the top of the performance charts for scalar embedded processors.

Samsung has been an ARM licensee for eight years, including some unmodified ARM7 and ARM9 cores directly within custom ASICs and ASSPs. In designing its new ARM1020E processor core, Samsung applied some interesting circuit-design techniques while maintaining cycle-accurate compliance with the original ARM1020E.

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