What Are Processor Architectures?
Processor architectures describe the design and organization of a computer’s central processing unit (CPU). The CPU is the computer’s “brain,” responsible for executing instructions and performing calculations.
Several different processor architectures are commonly used in today’s computers; the two main types are RISC- and CISC-based architectures. Each has its own characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages, and the different types are best suited for different types of applications.
What Are the Leading Processor Architectures?
CISC Architectures
A Complex Instruction Set Computer (CISC) is a processor known for its complex instruction set and high code density. CISC processors have a rich set of instructions that can perform a variety of tasks, which results in high code density and efficient use of memory.
This architecture is known for its high performance, especially in applications that require a high degree of parallel processing, such as gaming and video editing. CISC processors are also compatible with a wide range of software, which makes them a popular choice for most personal computers and laptops.
x86/Intel
Intel® is a leading microprocessor manufacturer and one of the most recognizable names in the computer industry. The company develops a wide range of processors for personal computers, laptops, servers, and embedded systems.
x86 is Intel’s processor architecture that is used in most personal computers and laptops. It was first developed by Intel in the 1970s and has since been adopted by other manufacturers, such as AMD. It is a CISC architecture, which means that it has high code density and a rich set of instructions that can perform a variety of tasks.
This architecture is known for its high performance and compatibility with a wide range of software, which makes it a popular choice for PCs and laptops. The x86 architecture is also compatible with various operating systems, such as Windows, Linux, and macOS. x86 processors are found in embedded systems and servers, but their power consumption and heat generation are considered high in comparison to other architectures such as Arm®.
x86 architecture has been highly popular, although it is challenged by the rise of other architectures, such as RISC and Arm. Intel also develops other processor architectures, including those based on Arm for use in IoT and mobile devices. Intel processors, as a whole, are known for their high performance, power efficiency, and compatibility with many software and operating systems.
RISC Architectures
A Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) is a processor characterized by its simple instruction set compared to CISC processors. The result is faster execution and less power consumption. This architecture is known for its high performance and energy efficiency, making it appropriate for computing applications such as servers, supercomputers, and embedded systems.
RISC processors are also known for an ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, which allows efficient and effective control of systems. Many processor architectures, including Arm, PowerPC, MIPS, and TriCore, are based on RISC architecture.
Arm
Arm (Advanced RISC Machine) is a processor architecture commonly used in smartphones, tablets, and other mobile and IoT devices. It is a RISC architecture, which means that it has a smaller and simpler instruction set, resulting in low power consumption and small size. The Arm architecture is designed to deliver high performance while using minimal power, making it well suited for portable devices with limited battery life.
Arm processors are also used in many embedded systems and IoT devices. Due to their low-power characteristics, they are suitable for servers and data centers where power efficiency is important.
Additionally, Arm architecture is licensed to other companies, which allows them to use that architecture as the basis of their own design and production, thus making the Arm architecture widely available and used. Manufacturers including Qualcomm, Samsung, and Apple design and produce processors based on Arm architecture.
PowerPC
PowerPC was developed by a partnership between IBM, Apple, and Motorola in the early 1990s. It is based on RISC architecture and was designed to be a high-performance processor for use in a variety of computing devices, including personal computers, servers, and embedded systems.
PowerPC processors were particularly popular in Apple’s Macintosh computers during the 1990s and early 2000s and were also used in some game consoles and other consumer electronics. PowerPC processors are known for their high performance and energy efficiency, but they have lost popularity in recent years with the rise of Arm, x86, and other architectures.
TriCore
TriCore was developed by Infineon Technologies AG, a German semiconductor company. It is a multi-core, multi-threaded processor architecture, which means that it has multiple processing units (cores) that can execute instructions simultaneously, leading to improved performance and efficiency. Additionally, its built-in safety mechanism supports safe operation.
The TriCore architecture was designed for use in embedded systems and industrial automation applications, such as automotive control systems, industrial control systems, and communication infrastructure. TriCore processors are known for their high performance and real-time capabilities, as well as their ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. They are well suited for applications that require a high degree of parallel processing and deterministic behavior.
RH850
The RH850 family of microcontrollers (MCUs) was developed by Renesas, a Japanese semiconductor company. It is based on the multi-core, multi-threaded TriCore architecture. It is primarily intended for use in automotive control systems, such as engine and transmission control, advanced driver assist systems (ADAS), and infotainment systems.
The RH850 MCU offers a high level of integration and advanced functional safety features, such as error detection and correction, making it suitable for safety-critical applications in the automotive industry. Additionally, RH850 has a high level of performance and computational capability, so it can handle multiple tasks simultaneously and control its systems effectively and efficiently.
GTM IP
GTM IP from Bosch is a networked intercom system designed for professional and industrial applications. It allows communication and control between various stations, such as entry points, security offices, and production areas. The system features high-quality audio and a durable, weather-resistant design suitable for outdoor and harsh environments. It also includes advanced features such as background noise suppression, call forwarding, and call queuing. With its flexibility, reliability, and expandability, GTM IP is a popular choice for security and communication needs in various industries.
MIPS
MIPS (Microprocessor without Interlocked Pipeline Stages) is a RISC processor architecture originally developed by MIPS Computer Systems, Inc. (now MIPS). The architecture was designed for high-performance computing and has been used in personal computers, servers, mobile devices, embedded systems, and other devices. MIPS processors are known for their high performance and low power consumption and are well suited for portable devices and embedded systems.
The MIPS architecture is modular, which means that it can be easily customized to meet the specific requirements of different applications. MIPS processors were widely used in the past, but their popularity has decreased over time with the rise of other processor architectures such as Arm and x86.
ColdFire
ColdFire is a microcontroller (MCU) architecture developed by Freescale Semiconductor (now NXP Semiconductors) in the 1990s. It is based on 68k architecture, a RISC architecture originally developed by Motorola. ColdFire MCUs are intended for use in a wide range of embedded systems, including industrial control, consumer electronics, and telecommunications.
ColdFire MCUs are known for their high performance and low power consumption, and for being easy to program and debug. ColdFire MCUs have been used in devices including home appliances, automotive systems, industrial control, and networking equipment.
ColdFire architecture is no longer actively developed and is considered legacy, but it is still being used in some devices that have not reached end-of-life.
RISC-V
RISC-V is an open source instruction set architecture (ISA). It is designed to be simple, modular, and extensible, providing a foundation for building a wide range of processors and systems. RISC-V offers a set of instructions that define the operations a processor can perform, the formats of those instructions, and the architectural features of the system. It was developed at the University of California, Berkeley, in 2010 and has gained significant attention and adoption worldwide.
RISC-V follows the principles of a reduced instruction set computer (RISC), which means it aims to keep the instruction set simple and streamlined. This simplicity allows easier decoding and execution of instructions, resulting in faster and more efficient processing.
» Learn More About RISC-VHow Can Wind River Help?
Wind River Diab Compiler
Compilers translate the source code developers use into machine code specific to different processors. Wind River® Diab Compiler supports leading processor architectures and can boost application performance, reduce memory footprint, and produce high-quality, standards-compliant object code for embedded systems.
Wind River has a long history of providing software and tools for safety-critical applications that need certification, in markets including automotive, medical, industrial, and avionics. It is backed by an award-winning global support organization that draws on more than 25 years of compiler experience and hundreds of millions of successfully deployed devices.
» Learn More About Software Compilers » Learn More About Diab Compiler
Diab Compiler is certified by TÜV SÜD for developing safety-related software.
Features
| Diab Compiler Properties | Performance and Support Factors |
|---|---|
|
|
Supported Processor Architectures
Achieve efficiency gains by using one toolchain across many architectures.
Diab Compiler 5.9.X (Proprietary)
- PowerPC – E500, VLE, SPE, LSP
- RH850 – G3M, G3MH, G3K, G3KH, G4MH
- TriCore AURIX – TC2xxx, TC3XXX, TC4XX, TC1.8x
- Bosch GTM IP – MCS (3.1.5.1)
- Arm*
Diab Compiler 7.X (LLVM)
- Arm
- Cortex-A/R/M
- Arm/Thumb 2
- Armv7-A/R/M
- Armv8-A/R
- AArch32
- AArch64
*New Arm architecture variants are added only in Diab Compiler 7.x, but current variants are actively maintained and supported in 5.9.x.
Figure 1. Diab Compiler–supported processor architectures
VxWorks
VxWorks® is a deterministic, priority-based, preemptive real-time operating system (RTOS) with low latency and minimal jitter. It is built on an upgradable, future-proof architecture to help you rapidly respond to changing market requirements and technology advancements.
VxWorks provides extensive multi-core and multiprocessing support for 32- and 64-bit as well as multi-core processors including Intel, Arm, and RISC-V. It is the only RTOS to support C++17, Boost, Rust, Python, pandas, and more, as well as an edge-optimized, OCI-compliant container engine — enabling you to use the languages, tools, and technologies you love most to innovate where it matters most.
Core capabilities:
- Reliability and performance: As the first RTOS on Earth as well as on Mars, where reliability is a must-have, VxWorks delivers the highest levels of performance when it is most needed.
- Security: To efficiently and effectively safeguard devices, data, and intellectual property in the connected world, VxWorks provides a comprehensive set of built-in security features that, along with the Wind River Security Services offering and combined with our development processes, meet rigorous security requirements across industries.
- Safety: VxWorks is developed with safety in mind. It is rigorously tested and has been certified to meet specific regulatory requirements.
SECURITY: An RTOS must be secure by design and support cybersecurity countermeasures.
SAFETY: An RTOS and its determinism offer the predictability and reliability of performance to prevent adverse effects on its environment.
RELIABILITY: An RTOS must always perform as expected, producing the same outcome in a deterministic manner.
CERTIFIABILITY: Embedded systems must often gain certification from industry groups or government agencies before being deployed, e.g., the FAA’s DO-178C for avionics, the IEC’s 61508 SIL 3 for industrial systems, ISO’s 26262 ASLID for automotive applications, and IEC 62304 for medical safety.