片上系统SoC（System on Chip）,是具有专用应用需求的ASIC集成电路, 是在一个芯片上使用预定制模块IP而得以快速开发的集成电路，其中包含完整软件开发及硬件实现的可承载系统平台的全部内容。SoC的定义多种多样，由于其内涵丰富、应用范围广,很难给出准确定义。一般说来, SoC称为系统级芯片,同时它又是一种技术，用以实现从确定系统功能开始，到软/硬件划分，并完成设计的整个过程。从狭义角度讲，它是信息系统核心的芯片集成，是将系统关键部件集成在一块芯片上;从广义角度讲，SoC是一个微小型系统，如果说中央处理器(CPU)是大脑，那么SoC就是包括大脑、心脏、眼睛和手的系统。国内外学术界一般倾向将SoC定义为将微处理器、模拟IP核、数字IP核和存储器(或片外存储控制接口)，和外部进行通讯的接口模块、含有ADC /DAC 的模拟前端模块、电源提供和功耗管理模块，对于一个无线SoC还有射频前端模块等集成在单一芯片上，它通常是客户定制的，或是面向特定用途的标准产品。
片上系统根据复杂度和功能性要求,可大可小,如最小最简单的8位单片机系统,大的如32位的嵌入式系统,他们的相同点都是CPU和丰富的周边外设,不同点在于系统处理能力的不同,应用的领域不同.简单的单片机系统用于电动车、电饭煲，复杂的如ARM内核的嵌入式系统多用于多媒体处理系统，如手机平板等 System on Chip (SoC) is an ASIC integrated circuit with specific application requirements. It is an integrated circuit that can be rapidly developed using a predetermined module IP on a chip, which includes a complete software development and hardware implementation of a loadable system platform The entire content of. There are many definitions of SoC. Because of its rich connotation and wide application range, it is difficult to give an accurate definition. Generally speaking, SoC is called a system-level chip, and at the same time, it is a technology used to implement the entire process from the determination of system functions to the division of software / hardware and the completion of the design. From a narrow perspective, it is the chip integration of the core of the information system, which is to integrate the key components of the system on a chip; from a broad perspective, SoC is a miniature system, if the central processing unit (CPU) is the brain, then SoC It is the system that includes the brain, heart, eyes, and hands. Academic circles at home and abroad generally tend to define SoC as an interface module that communicates with a microprocessor, analog IP core, digital IP core and memory (or off-chip memory control interface), an analog front-end module with ADC / DAC, The power supply and power management module, for a wireless SoC and radio frequency front-end module, are integrated on a single chip. It is usually customized by the customer or a standard product for specific purposes.
Depending on the complexity and functional requirements, the system-on-chip can be large or small, such as the smallest and simplest 8-bit micro-controller system, and the larger, such as a 32-bit embedded system. Their common points are the CPU and rich peripherals. The point lies in the different processing capabilities of the system and the application fields. Simple single-chip systems are used in electric vehicles and rice cookers, and complex embedded systems such as ARM cores are mostly used in multimedia processing systems, such as mobile phones and tablets.