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| Most of today's smartphones are dependent on chips based on ARM's designs |
ARM Holdings has been often
described as the UK's leading technology company. And while it might not
be a household name, many products that qualify rely on the Cambridge
company's brainpower.
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| ARM sells the rights to use its designs rather than physical products |
Impressive. ARM must be making lots of chips then?
ARM doesn't actually manufacture computer processors itself, but rather licenses its semiconductor technologies to others.In some cases, manufacturers only license ARM's architecture, or "instruction sets", which determine how processors handle commands. This option gives chip-makers greater freedom to customise their own designs.
In other cases, manufacturers license ARM's processor core designs - which describes how the chips' transistors should be arranged. These blueprints still need to be combined with other elements - such as memory and radios - to create what's referred to as a system-on-chip.
As a result, when you hear talk of a device being powered by a Samsung Exynos, Qualcomm Snapdragon or Apple A8 chip, it is still ARM's technology that is involved.
ARM microchips used in many technologies
- Televisions - Many modern televisions now run apps, allowing them to provide Netflix and other internet-based services, which are powered by ARM-based processors. The company's technology is also used in TV set-top boxes and remote controls
- Smartphones and tablets - ARM's chip designs are at the heart of the vast majority of smartphones as well as many tablets. E-readers and digital cameras typically rely on ARM's technology as well
- Drones - Drones are just one of a growing number of products to rely on tiny computers called microcontrollers - other examples include the controls for buildings' air-conditioning and lift systems. ARM estimates a quarter of such embedded computer chips made last year used its technology
- Smart home - Internet-connected thermostats, electricity meters and smoke alarms are among a growing range of products that promise to make our homes safer and more energy efficient. Many use ARM-based chips to help homeowners cut their bills
- Smart cities - Several cities are exploring the use of sensors to cut costs and help their inhabitants. Examples include street lamps that dim themselves when there is nobody close by and parking meters that detect when spaces are empty - or alert nearby wardens when vehicles have overstayed their time slots. ARM believes this sector holds great potential for its business
- Smart cars - ARM-based chips are already used within many vehicles' infotainment systems to let them show maps, offer voice recognition and play music. They also carry out the calculations needed to run driver assistance systems - working out when to trigger automatic electronic braking, for example - and are being used within prototype self-driving systems
- Wearable tech - From fitness trackers to smartwatches, much of the most popular wearable tech has relied on ARM-based chips for several years. Now, virtual reality and augmented reality headsets are the latest kit to feature the company's technology