
ARM Architecture Arm Architecture. Group 17: Amber Luu, Paul Lewis
Overview • What does ARM stand for? • Who created it • The RISC approach • Difference from other CPUs • Current uses • New applications • Raspberry Pi • Future uses • Final Remarks • Resources Arm Architecture. Group 17: Amber Luu, Paul Lewis
ARM • ARM stands for Advanced RISC Machine • Reduced Instruction Set Computer • Originally Acorn RISC Machine • Acorn- British computer company • ARM architecture describes a family of computer processors designed in accordance with a RISC CPU design Arm Architecture. Group 17: Amber Luu, Paul Lewis
Who Created It? • Developed by the advanced research and development team at Acorn Computers • Was one of the leading names in British personal computer market • At the time it was considered to be the British version of Apple • Originally conceived for use in their personal computers. Arm Architecture. Group 17: Amber Luu, Paul Lewis
Rethinking Their Approach • Their original architecture worked great until IBM started building much more powerful computers. • They tried many different designs but none were suitable for a graphics based user interface. • After reading about the Berkeley RISC project, they decided that if a class of graduate students could create a competitive processor, they could too. Arm Architecture. Group 17: Amber Luu, Paul Lewis
The RISC Approach • The official Acorn RISC Machine project started in October 1983 • The core ARM processor requires significantly fewer transistors than processors that would typically be found in a traditional computer. • Benefits include: • Lower costs • Less heat • Less power usage Arm Architecture. Group 17: Amber Luu, Paul Lewis
Acorn No More • The company was incorporated in 1990, the acronym was changed to stand for "Advanced RISC Machines." • Then, at the time of the IPO in 1998, the company name was changed to "ARM Holdings." Arm Architecture. Group 17: Amber Luu, Paul Lewis
Difference From Other CPUs • Marketing and Production • ARM itself doesn't make chips - it licenses the IP needed to make ARM-based processors. • This lets Samsung, Qualcomm, Nvidia and up to 15 other outfits to bring in their own tech and that of third parties to create a product tailored for an application. • Instead of AMD and Intel where they create a one-size-fits-all chip designed and manufactured by a single company. Arm Architecture. Group 17: Amber Luu, Paul Lewis
Current Usage • In 2011, ARM's customers reported 7.9 billion ARM processors shipped, representing: • 95% of smartphones • 90% of hard disk drives • 40% of digital televisions and set-top boxes • 15% of microcontrollers • 20% of mobile computers Arm Architecture. Group 17: Amber Luu, Paul Lewis
You Have Probably Used One Today • Most notable current uses: • Apple iPad / iPhone • Microsoft Surface • ASUS Eee Transformer • Nintendo DS • TomTom Arm Architecture. Group 17: Amber Luu, Paul Lewis
What Does This Mean For You? • Increased competition for leading chip manufacturers. • With how easily they can be custom designed, there will be more and more options for people who want them as they become more powerful. • Best example: • Raspberry Pi Arm Architecture. Group 17: Amber Luu, Paul Lewis
Raspberry Pi • Credit card sized computer • Weighs 45g • Invented to encourage a new generation of young people to get into computing • Plugs into TV or monitor • 512MB RAM, HDMI, SD, • LAN, 2 USB, Audio, • RCA Video, GPIO • Runs Debian/Arch/etc. • Cost $25 or $35 Arm Architecture. Group 17: Amber Luu, Paul Lewis
What Can You Do With It? • Make a HTPC • Can play 1080p video • Create a fully functional SNES emulator • Mini webserver Arm Architecture. Group 17: Amber Luu, Paul Lewis
Growing Support • Apple to dump Intel? • Apple engineers are becoming confident that the ARM chip design they use for iPhones/iPads will become powerful enough for PCs. • Most major Linux distros support it. • Google added ARM support to Chrome's Native Client. Arm Architecture. Group 17: Amber Luu, Paul Lewis
The Next Generation • Cortex-A-50 series • Energy-efficient 64-bit processing technology. • Will provide performance up to three times that of today's superphones without increasing power usage. Arm Architecture. Group 17: Amber Luu, Paul Lewis
Final Remarks • Will it ever replace AMD or Intel? • Emerging use in servers. • The usefulness of the Raspberry Pi project. Arm Architecture. Group 17: Amber Luu, Paul Lewis
Resources Atack, C, Someren A. (1993). The ARM RISC Chip: A Programmers' Guide. Addison-Wesley Publishing Company. Jan 11, 2013. Raspberry Pi. http://www.raspberrypi.org. Jan 18, 2013. ARM The Architecture for the Digital World. http://www.arm.com/products/processors/cortex-a50/ October 30, 2012. ARM's 2014 processors will blow today's smartphone chips away, with 3x the performance or 1/4 the battery drain. http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/30/3576560/arm-cortex-a57-cortex-a53-cpu-core Arm Architecture. Group 17: Amber Luu, Paul Lewis
ARM Architecture Arm Architecture: Amber Luu, Paul Lewis