A record 1.5 billion microchips based on ARM’s designs, which are used to power 98 percent of the world’s mobile phones, were sold in the three months to the end of September. The UK, Cambridge-based company this week reported pre-tax profits of £19.6 million in the period compared to £7.7 million a year earlier on sales up 34 percent to £100.4 million. The company’s order backlog increased by 10 percent to its highest-ever level.