4.1. Introduction
System-on-chip (SoC) designs are powered by one or more general-purpose microprocessor units (MPUs), digital signal processors (DSPs), and fixed-function-coprocessors. Therefore, an understanding of processor architecture provides a context for choosing the right processor(s) for a SoC, in terms of nominal and worst-case performance, cost, power, and other constraints. This chapter provides a tutorial on the architecture of MPUs used in SoCs and embedded systems in general.
We also include commentary on various themes regarding the evolution of general-purpose embedded processors. For example, many contemporary architectural features of general-purpose embedded processors originated in high-performance desktop processors. One ...
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