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ARM Ltd. is a leading semiconductor and software design company based in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is renowned for its ARM architecture, which is the cornerstone of the majority of mobile devices, IoT appliances, and increasingly, servers and cloud infrastructure. ARM does not manufacture silicon itself; instead, it licenses its intellectual property (IP) to a broad range of partners, including the world's most famous semiconductor and systems manufacturers.

The company was founded in 1990 as a joint venture between Acorn Computers, Apple Inc., and VLSI Technology. The aim was to develop a new microprocessor architecture that would address the power consumption limitations of existing CPUs used in mobile devices. The result was the ARM architecture, which is known for its reduced instruction set computing (RISC) approach. This design philosophy emphasizes efficiency and simplicity, which leads to lower power consumption and reduced costs, making it ideal for portable devices.

Over the years, ARM has expanded its technology portfolio to include graphics processing units (GPUs), artificial intelligence (AI) accelerators, and tools for system design and software development. Its series of GPUs are widely used in smartphones, digital TVs, and other consumer electronics. ARM's Cortex series of processors are ubiquitous, powering everything from smartphones and tablets to automotive systems and industrial equipment.

ARM’s business model is unique in the semiconductor industry. Instead of producing and selling hardware, ARM designs parts of chips and licenses these designs to its partners who then use these designs to create silicon chips and integrate them into their products. This model allows ARM to focus on innovation and design optimization without the overhead associated with manufacturing.

The company invests heavily in research and development (R&D) to stay at the forefront of technology trends. ARM's R&D efforts are not just about advancing its existing products but also about exploring new technologies and computing paradigms. For instance, ARM is actively involved in the development of technologies for the next generation of networks and cars, and it is also pushing the boundaries in fields like machine learning and augmented reality.

ARM’s ecosystem is one of its greatest strengths. It includes thousands of partners, from chip designers and manufacturers to software developers and system integrators. This ecosystem helps drive innovation and ensures that ARM’s technologies can be adapted to a wide range of applications and markets. ARM also collaborates with universities and research institutions around the world to foster innovation and develop the next generation of engineers and designers.

The impact of ARM’s technology is profound. Its architectures power billions of devices worldwide, and its energy-efficient CPU designs are crucial for the proliferation of mobile and embedded technology in an increasingly connected world. As the digital landscape evolves, ARM continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of computing, from edge devices to the cloud.

In summary, ARM Ltd. is a pivotal player in the global semiconductor industry, known for its ARM architecture that revolutionizes efficiency and cost-effectiveness in computing. Its business model of licensing IP rather than manufacturing allows it to remain flexible and innovative, adapting quickly to new market trends and technological shifts. With a robust ecosystem and a strong focus on R&D, ARM is at the forefront of developing technologies that are integral to the modern digital economy.