ARC Processors: Powering Embedded Systems

The Evolution and Impact of ARC Processors: A Comprehensive Overview

Introduction

In the ever-evolving landscape of embedded systems and Internet of Things (IoT) applications, processor design plays a crucial role in determining the efficiency, performance, and versatility of electronic devices. Among the most prominent families of embedded processors are the ARC (Argonaut RISC Core) processors, a series of 32-bit CPUs that have significantly shaped the embedded systems industry. Originally developed by ARC International, these processors have now become a part of the Synopsys DesignWare series, playing a central role in a wide range of applications from storage devices to automotive systems.

This article provides an in-depth exploration of the ARC processors, detailing their design, features, development journey, and impact on the embedded systems market.

Origins and Development of ARC Processors

The ARC processor family was first introduced in 1995 by Argonaut Technologies Limited (ATL), a company that had its roots in the video game industry. The company initially developed ARC processors as a part of their internal technology projects, particularly related to graphics and video game hardware. In fact, the ARC concept was born out of the development of the Super FX chip, a custom graphics processor created by Argonaut Games for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES).

In 1996, following a restructuring of Argonaut, ATL was rebranded as ARC International. The company decided to shift its focus toward processor design, which led to the creation of the ARC processors. These processors were not only designed to handle graphics tasks but were also intended for a broader range of embedded applications, a move that would eventually place ARC processors at the forefront of the embedded systems market.

By the late 1990s, ARC International’s innovative approach to processor design caught the attention of Apax Partners, who invested in the company, allowing it to expand its offerings. ARC International soon became a fully independent entity, moving away from its gaming roots and focusing on embedded system solutions. This was a critical moment in the company’s development, setting the stage for the widespread adoption of ARC processors in the broader technology industry.

Architecture and Features of ARC Processors

The core architecture of ARC processors is based on the Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) philosophy, a design approach that simplifies the processor’s instruction set to improve performance and reduce power consumption. The processors use the ARCompact instruction set architecture (ISA), which is a 16-/32-bit set that provides a balance between high performance and compact code size—essential features for embedded and host system-on-chip (SoC) applications.

One of the key advantages of ARC processors lies in their flexibility and extensibility. Unlike traditional fixed-function processors, ARC processors are highly configurable, allowing designers to tailor the architecture to meet the specific requirements of their applications. This flexibility is achieved through the use of the ARChitect processor configurator, a tool that enables developers to modify the processor’s functionality during the design phase. This configurability is one of the reasons why ARC processors have been so widely adopted across different industries.

The architecture of ARC processors can be extended to support a wide range of custom instructions, hardware accelerators, and peripherals. These extensions can significantly improve performance or reduce power consumption for specific tasks, making ARC processors ideal for resource-constrained environments. For example, designers can add an MMU (Memory Management Unit), a fast multiplier-accumulator, a USB Host interface, or even custom RTL (Register Transfer Level) functions to meet the needs of specific applications.

Key Features of ARC Processors

1. Modularity and Customizability: ARC processors are designed to be modular, allowing developers to add custom features that are optimized for specific use cases. The extensibility of the ARC architecture is one of its defining features, providing designers with the ability to tailor the processor’s instruction set, memory, and peripherals.

2. Low Power Consumption: Power efficiency is a critical factor in embedded systems, especially in mobile, automotive, and IoT devices. ARC processors are designed to operate with minimal power consumption while maintaining high performance, making them suitable for battery-powered applications. The ability to configure the processor’s power usage is a significant advantage for applications that require long battery life.

3. Scalability: ARC processors can be scaled to meet the needs of a variety of applications, from simple embedded devices to complex SoC designs. The processors can be optimized for performance, code density, or energy efficiency, depending on the specific requirements of the product.

4. Performance: Despite their small size and power efficiency, ARC processors deliver strong performance, making them suitable for a wide range of tasks, including signal processing, control systems, and communications. The ARCompact instruction set architecture ensures that the processors can execute instructions quickly and with a high degree of efficiency.

5. Wide Application Range: ARC processors are used in a wide variety of industries and applications. From consumer electronics and automotive systems to medical devices and industrial control, the flexibility and performance of ARC processors have made them a popular choice across diverse sectors.

Licensing and Adoption in Industry

One of the key factors contributing to the success of ARC processors is their licensing model. ARC processors are not sold as off-the-shelf chips but are instead licensed to other companies, allowing them to integrate the processors into their own SoC designs. This licensing approach has enabled ARC processors to be used in a vast number of products, with over 1.5 billion devices featuring ARC cores shipped annually.

As of today, more than 200 organizations have licensed ARC processors, and the processors are embedded in products across a wide range of industries. The flexibility of the ARC architecture and the ability to customize it for specific use cases have made it particularly attractive to companies developing embedded systems. By licensing ARC processors, companies can leverage the performance and features of the architecture while also tailoring it to meet their own needs.

Synopsys and the Integration of ARC Processors

In 2010, ARC International was acquired by Synopsys, a leading provider of electronic design automation (EDA) tools. The acquisition marked a new chapter for ARC processors, as they became part of the Synopsys DesignWare series, a suite of IP cores and tools used to accelerate the development of SoCs.

Under Synopsys, ARC processors have continued to evolve, with new models and features being added to the family. The processors are now part of a broader ecosystem that includes not only the cores themselves but also the development tools, software, and hardware accelerators needed to implement ARC-based designs. Synopsys’ extensive experience in SoC design has allowed ARC processors to integrate more seamlessly into modern chip designs, further cementing their place in the embedded systems market.

Applications of ARC Processors

ARC processors have found applications in a broad spectrum of industries. Some of the primary sectors where ARC processors are used include:

1. Consumer Electronics: ARC processors are commonly used in products such as smart TVs, set-top boxes, gaming consoles, and other consumer electronics. Their low power consumption and high performance make them ideal for these applications, where power efficiency and cost-effectiveness are key considerations.

2. Automotive: The automotive industry has increasingly relied on embedded processors for a wide range of applications, including infotainment systems, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), and in-vehicle networking. ARC processors are used in these systems for tasks such as signal processing, data compression, and communication.

3. IoT Devices: As the Internet of Things continues to expand, ARC processors have become a popular choice for IoT devices. These processors are used in smart home devices, wearables, healthcare equipment, and industrial IoT applications, where power efficiency and scalability are critical.

4. Storage Systems: ARC processors are also used in storage devices, including hard drives, solid-state drives (SSDs), and network storage systems. Their ability to handle data processing and management tasks with minimal power consumption makes them an ideal choice for these types of products.

5. Medical Devices: The healthcare industry is another key area where ARC processors are used, particularly in devices such as patient monitors, diagnostic equipment, and wearable medical devices. The processors are valued for their reliability, low power consumption, and ability to handle real-time data processing.

Challenges and Future Directions

Despite the widespread adoption of ARC processors, they are not without their challenges. The primary challenge for ARC processors, as with many embedded systems, lies in maintaining performance while minimizing power consumption. As the demand for higher-performance devices grows, there is an increasing need to balance the trade-offs between speed, power efficiency, and cost.

Looking ahead, ARC processors are likely to continue evolving to meet the demands of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and edge computing. These areas require processors that can handle increasingly complex tasks while still being energy-efficient and cost-effective. The flexibility and customizability of ARC processors make them well-suited for these types of applications, and future developments will likely focus on enhancing the processors’ ability to integrate with AI and ML workloads.

Conclusion

ARC processors represent a key milestone in the evolution of embedded system design. Their flexibility, performance, and power efficiency have made them a staple in a wide range of industries, from consumer electronics to automotive and IoT. As part of Synopsys’ broader portfolio, ARC processors will continue to play an essential role in shaping the future of embedded systems, offering designers the tools they need to create optimized solutions for an ever-growing range of applications.