ARM architecture

ARM architecture
Logo-rework as vector-graphic: Smartcom5Idea: Arm, Ltd., 2011 for ARMv8 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	ARM architecture
Designer	Acorn Computers, Apple Inc., IBM
Bits	32-bit, 64-bit
Design	RISC
Type	Load/store architecture
Encoding	Fixed-length instructions
Branching	Condition code
Endianness	Bi-endian
Registers	16

ARM architecture is a family of Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) architectures for processors, based on a Load/store architecture and developed by Acorn Computers, Apple Inc., and IBM. The ARM architecture is widely used in embedded systems, mobile devices, and servers, with licenses held by companies such as Texas Instruments, STMicroelectronics, and Freescale Semiconductor. The ARM architecture has been influential in the development of RISC architectures, with similarities to the MIPS architecture, PowerPC, and SPARC architectures. The ARM architecture has also been used in various operating systems, including Android, iOS, and Windows 10.

Introduction

The ARM architecture is a RISC architecture that uses a Load/store architecture to improve performance and reduce power consumption. The ARM architecture is designed to be highly scalable, with a range of processor cores available, from small, low-power cores such as the ARM Cortex-M to high-performance cores such as the ARM Cortex-A. The ARM architecture is also highly configurable, with a range of instruction sets and memory management units available. Companies such as Qualcomm, Samsung Electronics, and NVIDIA have developed system-on-chip (SoC) designs based on the ARM architecture, which are used in a wide range of electronic devices, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops. The ARM architecture has also been used in various gaming consoles, including the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.

History

The ARM architecture was first developed in the 1980s by Acorn Computers, a British company that developed the Acorn Archimedes computer. The first ARM processor was the ARM1, which was released in 1985 and used in the Acorn Archimedes computer. The ARM architecture was later developed by Apple Inc. and IBM, which formed a joint venture called ARM Holdings to develop and license the ARM architecture. The ARM architecture has since been widely adopted, with licenses held by companies such as Texas Instruments, STMicroelectronics, and Freescale Semiconductor. The ARM architecture has also been influenced by other RISC architectures, such as the MIPS architecture and the SPARC architecture, which were developed by companies such as MIPS Technologies and Sun Microsystems. The ARM architecture has also been used in various supercomputers, including the Cray XC30 and the IBM Sequoia.

Instruction Set Architecture

The ARM architecture uses a RISC instruction set architecture, which is designed to be simple and efficient. The ARM architecture instruction set includes a range of instructions, such as load and store instructions, arithmetic instructions, and branch instructions. The ARM architecture also includes a range of addressing modes, such as register indirect addressing and immediate addressing. The ARM architecture instruction set is also highly configurable, with a range of instruction set extensions available, such as the ARM NEON instruction set and the ARM VFP instruction set. Companies such as ARM Holdings, Qualcomm, and NVIDIA have developed compilers and assemblers for the ARM architecture, which are used to develop software for ARM-based systems. The ARM architecture has also been used in various embedded systems, including robots and automotive navigation systems.

ARM Processor Cores

The ARM architecture includes a range of processor cores, which are designed to be highly scalable and configurable. The ARM Cortex-M is a small, low-power core that is designed for use in embedded systems, while the ARM Cortex-A is a high-performance core that is designed for use in mobile devices and servers. The ARM Cortex-R is a real-time core that is designed for use in real-time systems, while the ARM Cortex-X is a high-performance core that is designed for use in data centers. Companies such as Qualcomm, Samsung Electronics, and NVIDIA have developed system-on-chip (SoC) designs based on the ARM architecture, which are used in a wide range of electronic devices. The ARM architecture has also been used in various gaming consoles, including the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One.

ARM-Based Systems

The ARM architecture is used in a wide range of electronic devices, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops. The ARM architecture is also used in various embedded systems, including robots and automotive navigation systems. Companies such as Apple Inc., Samsung Electronics, and Google have developed operating systems for ARM-based systems, including iOS, Android, and Chrome OS. The ARM architecture has also been used in various servers, including the AWS Graviton server and the GCP Cloud TPU server. The ARM architecture has also been used in various supercomputers, including the Cray XC30 and the IBM Sequoia.

Applications and Uses

The ARM architecture has a wide range of applications and uses, including mobile devices, embedded systems, and servers. The ARM architecture is also used in various gaming consoles, including the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. The ARM architecture has also been used in various automotive electronics, including automotive navigation systems and advanced driver-assistance systems. Companies such as Tesla, Inc., General Motors, and Volkswagen Group have developed ARM-based systems for use in electric vehicles and autonomous vehicles. The ARM architecture has also been used in various medical devices, including portable defibrillators and insulin pumps. The ARM architecture has also been used in various space exploration systems, including the NASA Curiosity Rover and the ESA Rosetta spacecraft. Category:Computer architecture