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32-bit ARMv8-A Core Targets IoT Space

Feb. 24, 2016
ARM’s new 32-bit Cortex-A32 core fills out the low end of the ARMv8-A architecture. It targets low-power applications such as mobile IoT devices.

ARM’s Cortex-A35 is a 64-bit core that is built around the ARMv8-A architecture. It is designed for entry-level smartphones (see “64-Bit Micro Targets Entry-Level Smartphones” on electronicdesign.com) and Internet of Things (IoT) applications (see “64-bit ARM Platforms Target the IoT Cloud” on electronicdesign.com). It was at the other extreme from the high-performance, 64-bit Cortex-A57 that tackles everything from high-end smartphones to SDN/NFV applications (see “Cortex-A57 SoC Targets SDN/NFV Applications” on electronicdesign.com).

It was a surprise to hear about ARM’s new 32-bit Cortex-A32 core that is built around the ARMv8-A architecture. It targets low-power applications such as mobile IoT devices. The Cortex-A32 provides an upgrade path from the current Cortex-A5 and Cortex-A7 processors.

Of course, a 32-bit core can be smaller than a 64-bit core and footprint is often indicative of power requirements as well. Plus, quite a few IoT applications can be easily addressed with a 32-bit part.

One reason for moving to the Cortex-A32 is to take advantage of the newer architecture that includes more than 100 new instructions (Fig. 1). These new instructions address a number of areas, including enhanced floating point support, better encryption support, and improved multimedia rendering.

1. The Cortex-A32 includes more than 100 new instructions that are part of the ARMv8-A architecture.

The Cortex-A32 allows developers to take advantage of the new instructions and architecture to provide more performance while being more power-efficient (Fig. 2). The platform also supports ARM’s TrustZone security, including secure boot and trusted execution.

2. The Cortex-A32 provides better performance while being more efficient.

The Cortex-A32 will be available in configurations up to four cores (Fig. 3). A single core can use as little as 4 mW/100 MHz. A four-core system uses more, but 75 mW/core is very good for a 1 GHz operating frequency. Of course, a four core system can run a single core at a low frequency to gain power efficiency.

3. An SoC can be built with one to four Cortex-A32 cores.

ARM’s 64-bit architecture offers developers an upgrade path, but the Cortex-A32 allows developers to gain most of the new features available in the 64-bit platforms while retaining the 32-bit environment with its better space and power efficiency. The big advantage is the compatibility with the existing 32-bit Cortex-A processors.

The nomenclature may be a bit confusing, given the bit-size differences between it and the Cortex-A35, but the Cortex-A32 will likely be the platform of choice moving forward for the low end of the Cortex-A marketplace. 

About the Author

William G. Wong | Senior Content Director - Electronic Design and Microwaves & RF

I am Editor of Electronic Design focusing on embedded, software, and systems. As Senior Content Director, I also manage Microwaves & RF and I work with a great team of editors to provide engineers, programmers, developers and technical managers with interesting and useful articles and videos on a regular basis. Check out our free newsletters to see the latest content.

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I earned a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Masters in Computer Science from Rutgers University. I still do a bit of programming using everything from C and C++ to Rust and Ada/SPARK. I do a bit of PHP programming for Drupal websites. I have posted a few Drupal modules.  

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