TOKYO — ARM Holdings has added Toppan Printing Co. Ltd., the second largest printer in Japan, has joined Flextronics Semiconductors as the second ARM Approved Licensing Program (ALP).
ALP partners are granted a sub-license to supply their customers with ARM cores. Partners can sub-license four ARM cores, including the ARM7TDMI, ARM922T, ARM946E and ARM1022E cores. New cores will be added under the program as they become available.
Large chip makers that design and fabricate ARM embedded systems for themselves directly license ARM cores. The licensing program was designed to provide access to ARM intellectual property to a wider range potential users such as fabless companies, laboratories and universities. Traditionally, they have had difficulty gaining support from semiconductor manufacturers because purchases are relatively small.
Toppan said it can provide companies and organizations with everything from design services to turnkey solutions based on ARM cores.
ARM wants to select one company as a licensing partner in North America, Europe and Asia. Flextronics was tapped last year to cover North America; Toppan will cover Japan.
Toppan Technical Design Center was established in 1989 as the base of its electronics diversification started in 1970. It became the member of the ARM Technology Access Program in March 2001.
Under the program, however, Toppan's ARM-related business was limited to design services. With its expanded partnership, the company can expand its service to include fabrication and sales.
