Arm Launches "Highest Performance" Cortex-M85 for Edge AI, Puts Virtual Raspberry Pis in the Cloud

Arm has announced the launch of the Cortex-M85, claimed to be it's "highest performance Cortex-M processor to date," boasting a 30 percent boost in scalar compute over the Cortex-M7 and featuring the company's Helium technology for machine-learning workloads - and, if that isn't enough, has also expanded its virtual hardware platform to include the Raspberry Pi.

"[Arm Cortex-M85] is the first Cortex-M to deliver over 6 CoreMarks/MHz and more than 3 DMIPS/MHz," says Arm's Tim Menasveta of the company's latest core IP. "This level of scalar performance is achieved thanks to many innovative features at the microarchitecture level, including optimized dual issue and selective triple issue capability, improved branch prediction, and an enhanced memory system including data pre-fetching, among others."

There's more to the new core than just a scalar performance uplift, however: Arm has integrated its Helium technology, available as an option during licensing, which adds 150 scalar and vector instructions designed specifically for accelerating edge AI and machine learning workloads — offering, Menasveta claims, up to a fourfold increase for machine learning workloads. Even compared to the Cortex-M55, Arm's earlier Helium-enabled part, the new chip's no slouch, offering a claimed 20 percent boost for vector processing.

The new core is also being made available as reference subsystem, dubbed Corstone-310, which integrates the Cortex-M85 with the Ethos-U55 neural network coprocessor. "The Corstone-310 subsystem addresses some design challenges SoC designers face," Menasveta says, "by providing an example of system-level security and power control."

"The ability to scale microcontroller applications to deliver higher performance computation, security, and enhanced user experience is critical to serving our customers' growing needs. NXP welcomes the Cortex-M85 to Arm’s family of Cortex-M processors, which will help unlock new embedded product applications," NXP's Cristiano Castello says in support of the launch.

At the same time, and as component shortages continue to bite the industry, Arm has announced the expansion of its Virtual Hardware platform — designed to give software developers a starting point before they're able to get their hands on physical silicon. The newly-announced virtual devices available in the program include the Corstone-310, seven new Cortex-M processors, and third-party development boards from NXP, ST Micro, and Raspberry Pi.

"At Raspberry Pi we put the power of computing into the hands of people all over the world," says Raspberry Pi chief executive Eben Upton. "Offering an easily accessible, virtual version of Raspberry Pi through Arm Virtual Hardware will permit even more developers to test out our technology, solve problems and express themselves through creative projects."

More information on the new virtual hardware is available on the Arm blog, while product pages for the Corstone-310 and Cortex-M85 have both been published. Pricing for the new parts, however, has not been publicly disclosed.