ARM embedded

Systems.
 RISC Design Philosophy
 ARM Design Philosophy

by AMIT
RISC Design Philosophy
The Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) architecture prioritizes
simplicity, high clock speed, and software flexibility.

It emphasizes delivering powerful yet straightforward instructions. This

philosophy contrasts with the Complex Instruction Set Computing (CISC)
approach, which leans heavily on hardware for instruction functionality.
 RISC Design Rules
Instructions
RISC processors have a
limited number of
instruction classes, each
providing simple
operations.
Complex operations are
synthesized by
combining simple
instructions, enhancing
pipeline efficiency.
Pipelines Registers
Load-store
architecture
Instruction processing is RISC machines boast
divided into smaller large general-purpose The processor operates on data
units for parallel register sets, functioning held in registers.
execution, advancing by as a fast local memory
one step per cycle. store for all data. Separate load and store
instructions transfer data
Decoded in one stage, In contrast, CISC
between the register bank
eliminating the need for processors have and external memory.
microcode as in CISC dedicated registers
processors. for specific purposes. Memory accesses are costly, so
separating memory accesses from
data processing provides an
advantage.
RISC vs CISC Comparison
RISC

• Emphasizes a simple set of instructions.

• Each instruction performs a specific and simple operation.
• Optimized for fast execution with a focus on single-
cycle instruction

CISC

• Utilizes a large and varied set of instructions.

• Single instructions can perform complex operations.
• Designed to reduce the number of instructions needed
for a specific task..
RISC Benefits
Simplified Software Flexibility
Instructions
Greater intelligence due to
Allow for high clock speed reduced hardware
and single-cycle execution. complexity.

Efficiency
Achieved through fixed-
length instructions and
parallel execution in
pipelines.
 RISC Architecture Overview
1 Simplicity & Speed 2 Contrast with CISC 3 Design Principles
Characterized by Contribute to efficient
simplicity, speed, and a Highlighting the and high-performance
focus on software hardware-dependent processors.
flexibility. complexity of CISC.
ARM Design Philosophy
Portable Embedded
Systems
ARM processors are designed
with a focus on physical
features tailored to portable
embedded systems.
Reduce Power
Consumption
Emphasizing the reduction of
power consumption for
extended battery life, crucial
for mobile devices like
phones and PDAs.
Code Density
Essential for embedded
systems with limited memory
due to cost and size
constraints.
Key Requirements of ARM Design
1 Price-Sensitive Environment
Utilizing slow and low-cost memory devices in price-sensitive embedded systems.

2 Cost-Effectiveness
Aiming to reduce the die area occupied by the processor for cost-effectiveness.

3 Hardware Debug Technology

Inclusion of hardware debug technology for software engineers to monitor code
execution, aiding issue resolution and reducing development costs.
ARM Core Adaptations for Embedded
Systems

Hybrid Architecture Performance & Power Code Optimization

Consumption
ARM core not a pure RISC Introduction of Thumb 16-bit
architecture due to the Focusing on total effective instruction set for improved
constraints of embedded system performance and code density.
systems. power consumption over raw
processor speed.
ARM Instruction Set for Embedded
Systems
Variable Cycle Execution
Enhances performance and code density for specific instructions
like load-store-multiple instructions.

Code Density Enhancement

Inline barrel shifter adds complexity but enhances core
performance and code density.

Thumb 16-bit instruction set

Support fast operations, including DSP instructions for 16×16-
bit multiplier operations.

Conditional execution
This feature improves performance and code density by reducing
Branch instructions

Enhanced Instructions
These instructions allow a faster-performing ARM processor in
some cases to replace the traditional combinations of a processor plus a DSP
ARM's Popularity in Embedded Systems

1 Global Adoption 2 Global Production 3 Diverse

Applications
ARM processor's Many top
additional features semiconductor ARM's adaptability and
make it widely used in companies globally features contribute to
32-bit embedded produce products based its popularity in diverse
systems. on the ARM processor. embedded applications.