AMD Unveils Ambidextrous Computing Roadmap

Download as PDF

Announces 64-bit ARM Core Architecture License and Future "K12" ARM-based Core; Pin-Compatible x86 and ARM Processors; Demonstrates AMD Opteron A-Series 64-bit ARM Server CPU Codename "Seattle"

SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 05/05/14 -- AMD (NYSE: AMD) today announced a roadmap of near- and mid-term computing solutions that harness the best characteristics of both the x86 and ARM® ecosystems, called "ambidextrous computing." The cornerstone of this roadmap is the announcement of AMD's 64-bit ARM architecture license for the development of custom high-performance cores for high-growth markets. Today's announcement also provides a forward-looking glimpse into AMD's development plans to deliver truly unmatched ambidextrous computing and graphics performance using a shared, flexible infrastructure to enable its customers to blaze new paths of innovation for the embedded, server and client markets as well as semi-custom solutions.

"Before today, AMD was the only company in the world to deliver high performance and low-power x86 with leadership graphics. AMD now takes a bold step forward and has become the only company that can provide high-performance 64-bit ARM and x86 CPU cores paired with world-class graphics," said Rory Read, AMD president and CEO. "Our innovative ambidextrous design capability, combined with our portfolio of IP and expertise with high-performance SoCs, means that AMD is set to deliver ambidextrous solutions that enable our customers to change the world in more efficient and powerful ways."

The market for ARM- and x86-based processors is expected to grow to more than $85 billion by 2017(1). AMD is uniquely positioned as the only company delivering differentiated solutions capable of addressing the breadth of this market. This is the first time a major processor provider has created the IP path to allow others to leverage innovation across both ARM and x86 ecosystems.

AMD's ambidextrous computing roadmap includes:

  • "Project SkyBridge" - This design framework, available starting in 2015, will feature a new family of 20 nanometer APUs and SoCs that are expected to be the world's first pin-compatible ARM and x86 processors. The 64-bit ARM variant of "Project SkyBridge" will be based on the ARM Cortex®-A57 core and is AMD's first Heterogeneous System Architecture ("HSA") platform for Android; the x86 variant will feature next-generation "Puma+" CPU cores. The "Project SkyBridge" family will feature full SoC integration, AMD Graphics Core Next technology, HSA, and AMD Secure Technology via a dedicated Platform Security Processor (PSP).
  • "K12" - A new high-performance, low-power ARM-based core that takes deep advantage of AMD's ARM architectural license, extensive 64-bit design expertise, and a core development team led by Chief CPU Architect Jim Keller. The first products based on "K12" are planned for introduction in 2016.

"At ARM we are dedicated to working with partners who revolutionize and transform experiences everywhere from sensors to servers," said Simon Segars, CEO at ARM. "AMD's market reach and proven experience in leading industry transitions to 64-bit computing in client and server environments, combined with ARM's low power expertise and server base system architecture (SBSA) standard, will deliver new capabilities and drive innovation across multiple high growth markets."

AMD today also publicly demonstrated for the first time its 64-bit ARM-based AMD Opteron™ A-Series processor, codenamed "Seattle," running a Linux environment derived from the Fedora Project. The Fedora Project is a Red Hat-sponsored, community-driven Linux distribution, providing a familiar, enterprise class operating environment to developers and IT administrators worldwide. This Fedora Project-based Linux environment enables companies to transition to ARM-based servers without the need to integrate entirely new tools and software platforms to their IT environments. This demonstration represents a significant step forward in expanding the footprint of ultra-efficient 64-bit ARM processers within the data center.

Today's news was disclosed at a press conference and webcast held at the Ritz-Carlton in San Francisco. A replay of the webcast will made available at approximately noon Eastern tomorrow at ir.amd.com.

Supporting Resources

About AMD
AMD (NYSE: AMD) designs and integrates technology that powers millions of intelligent devices, including personal computers, tablets, game consoles and cloud servers that define the new era of surround computing. AMD solutions enable people everywhere to realize the full potential of their favorite devices and applications to push the boundaries of what is possible. For more information, visit www.amd.com.

(1) Based on AMD's internal estimates.

AMD, the AMD Arrow logo and Opteron are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Other names are for informational purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Cautionary Statement

This Press Release contains forward-looking statements concerning AMD, including: the features and functionality of new AMD products and the timing and availability of such products; our ability to offer both X86 and ARM processors for embedded, server, client and semi-custom markets; our ability to create high performance cores for our embedded, server and low-power client markets; our ability to deliver and execute on our X86 and 64-bit ARM Ambidextrous Computing Roadmap; which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are commonly identified by words such as "would," "may," "expects," "believes," "plans," "intends," "projects," and other terms with similar meaning. Investors are cautioned that the forward-looking statements in this release are based on current beliefs, assumptions and expectations, speak only as of the date of this release and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations. Risks include the possibility that that Intel Corporation's pricing, marketing and rebating programs, product bundling, standard setting, new product introductions or other activities may negatively impact the Company's plans; that the Company will require additional funding and may be unable to raise sufficient capital on favorable terms, or at all; that customers stop buying the Company's products or materially reduce their operations or demand for its products; that the Company may be unable to develop, launch and ramp new products and technologies in the volumes that are required by the market at mature yields on a timely basis; that the Company's third-party foundry suppliers will be unable to transition the Company's products to advanced manufacturing process technologies in a timely and effective way or to manufacture the Company's products on a timely basis in sufficient quantities and using competitive process technologies; that the Company will be unable to obtain sufficient manufacturing capacity or components to meet demand for its products or will not fully utilize the Company's projected manufacturing capacity needs at GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc. (GF) microprocessor manufacturing facilities; that the Company's requirements for wafers will be less than the fixed number of wafers that we agreed to purchase from GF or GF encounters problems that significantly reduce the number of functional die the Company receives from each wafer; that the Company is unable to successfully implement its long-term business strategy; that the Company inaccurately estimates the quantity or type of products that its customers will want in the future or will ultimately end up purchasing, resulting in excess or obsolete inventory; that the Company is unable to manage the risks related to the use of its third-party distributors and add-in-board (AIB) partners or offer the appropriate incentives to focus them on the sale of the Company's products; that the Company may be unable to maintain the level of investment in research and development that is required to remain competitive; that there may be unexpected variations in market growth and demand for the Company's products and technologies in light of the product mix that it may have available at any particular time; that global business and economic conditions, including consumer PC market conditions, will not improve or will worsen; that demand for computers will be lower than currently expected and the effect of political or economic instability, domestically or internationally, on the Company's sales or supply chain. Investors are urged to review in detail the risks and uncertainties in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including but not limited to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2013.

Add to Digg Bookmark with del.icio.us Add to Newsvine 

Contacts:
Tara Sims
AMD Public Relations
(415) 713-5986
tara.sims@amd.com

Liz Luckow
AMD Investor Relations
(408) 749-5467
liz.luckow@amd.com

Source: Advanced Micro Devices

Released May 5, 2014