5.1 SoC definition and basis

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.