ARM architecture

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The ARM is a 32-bit reduced instruction set computer (RISC) instruction set architecture (ISA) developed by ARM Limited. It was known as the Advanced RISC Machine, and before that as the Acorn RISC Machine. The ARM architecture is the most widely used 32-bit ISA.[1][2] It is implemented in many microprocessors and microcontrollers for embedded systems. Because many ARM processors consume little power, they are dominant in the mobile electronics market, where low-power consumption is a critical design goal.
As of 2007, about 98 percent of the more than a billion mobile phones sold each year use at least one ARM processor.[3] As of 2009, ARM processors account for approximately 90% of all embedded 32-bit RISC processors. ARM processors are used extensively in consumer electronics, including PDAs, mobile phones, iPods and other digital media and music players, hand-held game consoles, calculators and computer peripherals such as hard drives and routers. ARM processors were originally designed for desktop personal computers. Since the decline of Acorn Computers,[citation needed] ARM processors are now exclusively designed for embedded computers.
The ARM architecture is licensable. Companies that are currently or formerly ARM licensees include Alcatel, Atmel, Broadcom, Cirrus Logic, Digital Equipment Corporation, Freescale, Intel (through DEC), LG, Marvell Technology Group, NEC, NVIDIA, NXP (previously Philips), Oki, Qualcomm, Samsung, Sharp, ST Microelectronics, Symbios Logic, Texas Instruments, VLSI Technology, Yamaha and ZiiLABS.
ARM processors are developed by ARM and by ARM licensees. Prominent examples of ARM Limited ARM processor families include the ARM7, ARM9, ARM11 and Cortex. Examples of ARM processors developed by major licensees include the DEC StrongARM, Freescale's i.MX, Marvell (formerly Intel) XScale, NVIDIA's Tegra, ST-Ericsson Nomadik, and Qualcomm's Snapdragon.