ARM processor

The ARM processor is a 32-bit RISC processor, meaning it is built using the reduced instruction set computer (RISC) instruction set architecture (ISA). ARM processors are microprocessors and are widely used in many of the mobile phones sold each year, as many as 98% of mobile phones. They are also used in personal digital assistants (PDA), digital media and music layers, hand-held gaming systems, calculators, and even computer hard drives.

The first ARM processor-based computer was the Acorn Archimedes, released in 1987. Apple Computer became involved with helping to improve the ARM technology in the late 1980s, with their work resulting in the ARM6 technology in 1992. Later, Acorn used the ARM6-based ARM 610 processor in their Risc PC computers in 1994. Today, the ARM architecture is licensed for use by many companies, including Apple, Cirrus Logic, Intel, LG, Microsoft, NEC, Nintendo, Nvidia, Sony, Samsung, Sharp, Texas Instruments, Yamaha, and many more. The latest developed ARM processor families include ARM11 and Cortex. ARM processors capable of 64-bit processing are currently in development.

Also see: Processor definitions