3DO and ARM Announce Technology Cross-License Agreement for Advanced Consumer Electronics

Strategic Insights -

The 3DO Company and Advanced RISC Machines Ltd (ARM) have announced a strategic technology cross-license agreement, marking a significant contribution to 3DO's technology portfolio. Under the agreement, 3DO has licensed rights to implement ARM6 processor architecture in its current and future technology designs, while ARM has received rights to use and license 3DO's proprietary NTSC/PAL digital video encoder technology. This partnership enables 3DO to offer single-chip solutions for its products, reducing manufacturing costs and achieving new levels of system integration.

Key Takeaways:

  • The agreement grants 3DO the rights to implement ARM6 processor architecture in its current and future technology designs.
  • ARM has received rights to use and license 3DO's proprietary NTSC/PAL digital video encoder technology.
  • 3DO plans to incorporate a subset of the ARM6 architecture into its custom processors designed for the advanced interactive entertainment market.
  • The partnership enables 3DO to offer single-chip solutions for its products, reducing manufacturing costs and achieving new levels of system integration.
  • ARM plans to leverage 3DO's expertise in consumer electronics technology, expanding its presence in the market.
  • The agreement is designed to enhance 3DO's technology portfolio and facilitate the development of advanced interactive entertainment products.

Statistics:

  • 3DO has licensed rights to implement ARM6 processor architecture in its current and future technology designs.
  • ARM has received rights to use and license 3DO's proprietary NTSC/PAL digital video encoder technology.
  • 3DO has integrated multiple custom graphics and sound processors into one chip, known as Anvil, which is currently being used in mass production of 3DO products.
  • 3DO plans to incorporate ARM6 technology and Anvil into one chip, known as Calvin, in the next phase of engineering integration and cost reduction.
  • ARM has designed, licensed, and markets fast, low-power RISC processors, peripherals, and development tools for embedded control, consumer/educational multimedia, DSP, and portable applications.

Sources:

  • "The 3DO Company and Advanced RISC Machines Ltd (ARM) today announced an agreement to cross-license technology for use in advanced consumer electronics products worldwide." (Business Wire, April 17, 1995)
  • "ARM designs, licenses and markets fast, low-cost, low-power- consumption RISC processors, peripherals, and development tools for embedded control, consumer/educational multimedia, DSP, and portable applications." (ARM press release)
  • "Based in Redwood City, Calif., The 3DO Company (NASDAQ:THDO) develops and licenses advanced interactive technology to hardware and software companies worldwide." (3DO press release)
  • "ARM's partners with products in production are: GEC Plessey Semiconductors, Sharp Corporation, and VLSI Technology and with products in development: Asahi Kasei Microsystems, Cirrus Logic, Digital Semiconductor, Samsung, and Texas Instruments." (ARM press release)