Cortex-A9

The Cortex-A9 processor is a performance and power optimized multi-core processor and it is one of Arm's most widely deployed and mature applications processors.

Overview

The Cortex-A9 processor features a dual-issue, partially out-of-order pipeline and a flexible system architecture with configurable caches and system coherency using the ACP port. The Cortex-A9 processor achieves a better than 50% performance over the Cortex-A8 processor in a single-core configuration.

Key benefits

  • Scalable performance and power efficiency for a broad range of 32-bit consumer, networking, enterprise, and mobile applications.

  • Support the wide Armv7-A 32-bit software eco-system.

  • Mature and silicon-proven in multiple process technologies.

Highlights

Applications

The Cortex-A9 processor is suitable for low-power, cost-sensitive 32-bit devices which require competitive power efficiency. Beyond being one of the most successful mobile phone processors designed by Arm, it is now successfully implemented for a range of other products.

Low-cost consumer devices

Home networking appliances

  

32-bit embedded compute devices

Key features

Partial Out-of-order 10+ stage pipeline

Dual-issue superscalar pipeline with out-of-order dynamic length.


Available in single core and multi core configurations

The Cortex-A9 processor is available in two variants: as a single core Cortex-A9 UP processor and as Cortex-A9 MP where it can scale up to four processor cores in a cluster.


Scalable and configurable Armv7-A processor and cluster

Configurable L1 caches up to 64kB, optional NEON and Floating-point extensions, system coherency support using Accelerator Coherency Port (ACP).

Characteristics

The Cortex-A9 processor is a performance and power optimized multi-core processor. It features a dual-issue, partially out-of-order pipeline and a flexible system architecture with configurable caches and system coherency using ACP port. The Cortex-A9 processor achieves a better than 50% performance over the Cortex-A8 processor in a single-core configuration.

Related IP

The Cortex-A9 processor can be incorporated into an SoC using a broad range of Arm technology including Graphics IP, System IP, and Physical IP. The Cortex-A9 processor is fully supported by Arm development tools. Related IP includes:

 

Graphic IP
 Other IP
 Tools

Mali GPUs

Mali Display Processors

Mali-V500 Video Processor

CoreLink Network Interconnect Family

CoreLink System Controllers

Interrupt Controllers

CoreSight SoC-400

POP IP

DS-5 Development Studio

Fixed Virtual Platforms

Development Boards

Arm Compiler

Fast Models

 

Support

Arm training courses and on-site system-design advisory services enable licensees to efficiently integrate the Cortex-A9 processor into their design to realize maximum system performance with lowest risk and fastest time-to-market.

Arm training courses Arm Design Reviews

  • Cortex-A9 Technical Reference Manual

    For system designers and software engineers, the Cortex-A9 manual provides information on implementing and programming Cortex-A9 based devices.

    View now

  • Cortex-A Series Programmer's Guide for Armv7-A

    Common to all Cortex-A series processors, this programmer's guide is useful for assembly and C language application development for Armv7-A.

    Get the Guide

  • Development Tools for Cortex-A

    Arm and our partners provide specialist code generation, debug and analysis tools for software development on Cortex-A series processors, such as DS-5 Development Studio.

    Development Tools

  • Arm Design Reviews

    Arm's on-site design review service gives licensees confidence that their Cortex-A9 CPU is implemented efficiently, to provide maximum system performance, with lowest risk and fastest time-to-market.

    Explore Arm Design Reviews

  • Questions? Request more information

    Learn more about Cortex-A9, Arm’s performance and power optimized multi-core processor and one of the most widely deployed applications processors designed by Arm. Contact us to speak with our technical team.

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