AdvancedTopic 100 of 104Electronics & Embedded
SoC architectures
Systems on chip integrate processors, memory and peripherals with on-chip buses.
In depth
SoCs integrate CPU cores, GPU, memory controllers, accelerators, peripherals and interconnect (AXI/AHB, NoC) on one die. Design includes IP reuse, power domains, clock trees, security zones and hardware/software co-design. Verification dominates effort.
Key points
- Heterogeneous cores big.LITTLE
- Memory hierarchy
- Boot ROM
ExampleA phone SoC contains CPU, GPU, ISP, modem and NPU.
SoCs combine processors, memory and peripherals on one chip, which makes compact, low-power products possible.
What is SoC architectures?
Systems on chip integrate processors, memory and peripherals with on-chip buses.
Why is it important to understand soC architectures?
SoCs combine processors, memory and peripherals on one chip, which makes compact, low-power products possible.
What is an on-chip bus?
An interconnect such as AMBA that links processors, memories and peripherals inside an SoC, managing data and address traffic.
Why are SoCs cheaper in volume?
Integration reduces the number of separate parts, board area and assembly steps, so the cost per product falls.
How is SoC architectures used in practice?
Typical applications include building a phone processor with CPU, GPU and modem on one die, designing a wearable with an MCU and radio in one package and integrating a motor controller with an ARM core and peripherals on a single chip.
What should I learn before SoC architectures?
Study "Phase-locked loops" first (topic 99 of 104 in Electronics & Embedded). It covers the groundwork this topic builds on.
What are the key points of SoC architectures?
Heterogeneous cores big.LITTLE. Memory hierarchy. Boot ROM.
Can you give an example of SoC architectures?
A phone SoC contains CPU, GPU, ISP, modem and NPU.
What comes after SoC architectures?
The next topic is "Low-power design techniques", which builds directly on this one.
How difficult is SoC architectures?
It is classed as Advanced in Electronics & Embedded (topic 100 of 104). It is an advanced topic. It assumes you are comfortable with the intermediate topics in Electronics & Embedded.