What is System on Chip (SoC)?

During discussions about the M1 chip and Apple’s phones, you might hear about the “system on chip” (SoC) design used in them. But what are SoCs, and how are they different from CPUs and microprocessors? We will explain.

Quick Definition: System on a Chip – System on a Chip (SoC)?

System on a chip, also known as System on a Chip – SoC: is an integrated circuit that combines many elements of a computer system into a single chip. A SoC always includes a CPU, but it can also include RAM, peripheral controllers (for USB, storage), and more advanced peripherals such as a graphics processing unit (GPU), neural network circuits, and more. -ron dedicated, radio modem (for Bluetooth or Wi-Fi)…

A System-on-Chip (SoC) will be different from a traditional PC in that the CPU and controller, GPU and RAM are all separate and can be replaced, upgraded or interchangeable as needed. However, when using SoC, all will be combined into 1 and make the computer smaller, faster, cheaper and less power-hungry.

Electronic integration history

Since the beginning of the 20th century, the development of electronics has followed a predictable path involving two main trends: miniaturization and integration. The miniaturization process has seen individual electronic components such as capacitors, resistors, and transistors get smaller over time. And with the invention of the integrated circuit (IC) in 1958, integration incorporated multiple electronic components into a single piece of silicon, allowing for even greater miniaturization.

As the miniaturization of electronic devices began in the 20th century, computers also became smaller. The first computers were made of large discrete components such as relays or vacuum tubes. Then they used discrete transistors, then groups of integrated circuits. In 1972, Intel combined CPU elements into a single integrated circuit, and the first commercial single-chip microprocessor was born. With microprocessors, computers can be smaller and use less power than ever before.

Integrating Microcontrollers and Systems into Chip

In 1974, Texas Instruments released the first microcontroller, a type of microprocessor with RAM and I/O devices integrated with the CPU on a single chip. Instead of needing separate ICs for CPU, RAM, memory controller, serial controller, etc., all of that can be put into a single chip for small embedded applications like computers pocket and electronic toys.

Today, the use of microprocessors with separate control chips, RAM and GPUs has created the most versatile and powerful personal computers. The integration of hardware into 01 makes processing large data inefficient, so the traditional method of using microprocessors with discrete support chips is still maintained.

Recently, the trend towards smartphones and tablets has pushed integration beyond microprocessors or microcontrollers. The result is a system on a chip, which can pack multiple elements (GPU, cellular modem, AI accelerator, USB controller, network interface) along with CPU and RAM into a single package. . It is another step in the continued integration and miniaturization of electronic devices that will likely continue long into the future.

Why use system on chip?

Putting more computer system elements on a single piece of silicon reduces power requirements, reduces costs, increases performance, and reduces physical size. All of which will help a lot when trying to make smartphones, tablets and laptops more powerful but use less battery.