Apple motion coprocessors

Last updated
Apple M-series coprocessors
NXP LPC18A1.jpg
The NXP LPC18A1, also known as the M7 motion coprocessor
General information
LaunchedSeptember 2013
Designed byM7, M8: NXP Semiconductors
Common manufacturer(s)
Product codeM7: LPC18A1 [1]
M8: LPC18B1 [2]
Performance
Max. CPU clock rate 150 [3]  MHz
Architecture and classification
Technology node 90 nm [3]
Microarchitecture Cortex-M3 [3]
Instruction set ARMv7-M [3]
Physical specifications
Cores

The Apple M-series coprocessors are motion coprocessors used by Apple Inc. in their mobile devices. First released in 2013, their function is to collect sensor data from integrated accelerometers, gyroscopes and compasses and offload the collecting and processing of sensor data from the main central processing unit (CPU).

Contents

The first coprocessor of the series is the M7 (codename Oscar), which was introduced in September 2013 as part of the iPhone 5S. [4] [5] Chipworks found that the M7 most likely is a NXP LPC1800 based microcontroller called LPC18A1. It uses an ARM Cortex-M3 core with a customised packaging and naming scheme indicating that it is for an Apple customized part. [1] The updated version M8 was introduced in September 2014 with the iPhone 6 and also processes data from the barometer that is included in the iPhone 6 and iPad Air 2. [6] [7] iFixit have identified the M8 in the iPhone 6 to be an NXP device with a very similar name, the LPC18B1. [2] [8]

The later coprocessors are embedded into the A-series SoCs. September 2015 brought the M9 motion coprocessor embedded within the A9 chip found in the iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, [9] first-generation iPhone SE [10] and within the A9X chip found in the first-generation iPad Pro. [11] The iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, [12] second-generation iPad Pro feature the M10 motion coprocessor, embedded within the A10 Fusion and the A10X Fusion chips. [13] Apple included the M11 in the iPhone 8, 8 Plus and iPhone X, embedded within the A11 Bionic SoC. [14]

Starting with the A12 Bionic SoC, Apple has stopped distinguishing the motion coprocessor from the rest of the SoC, and has abandoned the corresponding M-series nomenclature. [15] The M-series nomenclature was reintroduced in 2020 for ARM-based SoCs used in Mac computers and iPad tablets (starting from the 5th generation iPad Pro).

Usage

The Apple M-series coprocessors collect, process, and store sensor data even if the device is asleep, and applications can retrieve data when the device is powered up again. This reduces power draw of the device and saves battery life. [16] In addition to servicing the accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, and in M8 and later coprocessors, barometer, the M9 coprocessor can recognize Siri voice commands from the built in microphones of the device. [17]

The M-series motion coprocessors are accessible to applications through the Core Motion API introduced in iOS 7, so they do, for example, allow fitness apps that track physical activity and access data from the M processors without constantly engaging the main application processor. They enable applications to be aware of what type of movement the user is experiencing, such as driving, walking, running, or sleeping. [18] [19] [20] Another application could be the ability to do indoor tracking and mapping. [21] In iOS 10, the motion coprocessor is used to implement raise-to-wake functionality, reducing idle energy usage.

Products

CoprocessorProcessorLaunchedDiscontinuediPhoneiPadOtherRef
Apple M7
(LPC18A1)		 Apple A7 September 20, 2013March 21, 2017 iPhone 5S iPad Air
iPad mini 2
iPad mini 3 		(none) [4] [5]
Apple M8
(LPC18B1)		 Apple A8 September 9, 2014May 28, 2019 iPhone 6
iPhone 6 Plus 		iPad Mini 4 iPod Touch (6th generation) [2] [8]
Apple A8X October 16, 2014March 21, 2017(none) iPad Air 2 (none) [7]
Apple M9 Apple A9 September 9, 2015September 12, 2018 iPhone 6S
iPhone 6S Plus
iPhone SE (1st generation) 		iPad (5th generation) [9] [10]
Apple A9X June 5, 2017(none) iPad Pro (1st generation) [11]
Apple M10 Apple A10 Fusion September 7, 2016May 10, 2022 iPhone 7
iPhone 7 Plus 		iPad (6th generation)
iPad (7th generation) 		iPod Touch (7th generation) [12] [22]
Apple A10X Fusion June 13, 2017April 20, 2021(none) iPad Pro (2nd generation) Apple TV 4K (1st generation) [13]
Apple M11 Apple A11 Bionic September 12, 2017April 15, 2020 iPhone 8
iPhone 8 Plus
iPhone X 		(none) [14]

See also

Related Research Articles

iPad Line of tablet computers by Apple

The iPad is a brand of iOS and iPadOS-based tablet computers that are developed by Apple Inc, first introduced on January 27, 2010. The iPad range consists of the original iPad lineup and the flagship products iPad Mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apple A4</span> System on a chip (SoC) designed by Apple Inc.

The Apple A4 is a 32-bit package on package (PoP) system on a chip (SoC) designed by Apple Inc. and manufactured by Samsung. It was the first SoC Apple designed in-house. The first product to feature the A4 was the first-generation iPad, followed by the iPhone 4, fourth-generation iPod Touch, and second-generation Apple TV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apple silicon</span> System-on-chip processors designed by Apple Inc.

Apple silicon is a series of system on a chip (SoC) and system in a package (SiP) processors designed by Apple Inc., mainly using the ARM architecture. They are the basis of Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Watch, AirPods, AirTag, HomePod, and Apple Vision Pro devices.

The Apple A7 is a 64-bit system on a chip (SoC) designed by Apple Inc. It first appeared in the iPhone 5S, which was announced on September 10, 2013, and the iPad Air and iPad Mini 2, which were both announced on October 22, 2013. Apple states that it is up to twice as fast and has up to twice the graphics power compared to its predecessor, the Apple A6. It is the first 64-bit SoC to ship in a consumer smartphone or tablet computer. On March 21, 2017, the iPad mini 2 was discontinued, ending production of A7 chips. The latest software update for systems using this chip was iOS 12.5.7, released on January 23, 2023, as they were discontinued with the release of iOS 13 and iPadOS 13 in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NXP LPC</span> Family of 32-bit microcontroller integrated circuits

LPC is a family of 32-bit microcontroller integrated circuits by NXP Semiconductors. The LPC chips are grouped into related series that are based around the same 32-bit ARM processor core, such as the Cortex-M4F, Cortex-M3, Cortex-M0+, or Cortex-M0. Internally, each microcontroller consists of the processor core, static RAM memory, flash memory, debugging interface, and various peripherals. The earliest LPC series were based on the Intel 8-bit 80C51 core. As of February 2011, NXP had shipped over one billion ARM processor-based chips.

iPad Air 2 Tablet computer made by Apple (2014–2017)

The iPad Air 2 is the second-generation iPad Air tablet computer designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. It was announced on October 16, 2014, alongside the iPad Mini 3, both of which were released on October 22, 2014. The iPad Air 2 is thinner, lighter and faster than its predecessor, the first-generation iPad Air, and features Touch ID with the height, width and screen size the same as the iPad Air.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apple A9</span> System on a chip (SoC) designed by Apple Inc.

The Apple A9 is a 64-bit ARM-based system-on-chip (SoC), designed by Apple Inc. Manufactured for Apple by both TSMC and Samsung, it first appeared in the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus which were introduced on September 9, 2015. Apple states that it has 70% more CPU performance and 90% more graphics performance compared to its predecessor, the Apple A8. On September 12, 2018, the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus along with the first-generation iPhone SE was discontinued, ending production of A9 chips. The latest software updates for the iPhone 6S & 6S Plus including the iPhone SE 1st generation variants systems using this chip are iOS 15.7.6, released on May 18, 2023 as they were discontinued with the release of iOS 16 in 2022, and for the iPad 5th generation using this chip was iPadOS 16.5, released on May 18, 2023, as it was discontinued with the release of iPadOS 17 in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apple A9X</span> System on a chip (SoC) designed by Apple Inc.

The Apple A9X is a 64-bit ARM architecture-based system on a chip (SoC) designed by Apple Inc. It first appeared in the iPad Pro, which was announced on September 9, 2015 and was released on November 11, 2015. The A9X has the M9 motion coprocessor embedded in it, something not seen in previous chip generations. It is a variant of the A9 and Apple claims that it has 80% more CPU performance and twice the GPU performance of its predecessor, the A8X. The latest software update for the iPad Pro 12.9 1st generation & 9.7 using this chip was iPadOS 16.5, released on May 18, 2023, as it was discontinued with the release of iPadOS 17 in 2023 due to hardware limitations of the A9X.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apple A10</span> System on a chip (SoC) designed by Apple Inc.

The Apple A10 Fusion is a 64-bit ARM-based system on a chip (SoC), designed by Apple Inc. and manufactured by TSMC. It first appeared in the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus which were introduced on September 7, 2016, and is used in the sixth generation iPad, seventh generation iPad, and seventh generation iPod Touch. The A10 is the first Apple-designed quad-core SoC, with two high-performance cores and two energy-efficient cores. Apple states that it has 40% greater CPU performance and 50% greater graphics performance compared to its predecessor, the Apple A9. The Apple T2 chip is based on the A10. On May 10, 2022, the iPod Touch 7th generation was discontinued, ending production of A10 Fusion chips. The latest software updates for the iPhone 7 & 7 Plus including the iPod Touch 7th generation variants systems using this chip are iOS 15.7.7, released on June 21, 2023 as they were discontinued with the release of iOS 16 in 2022, while updates for the iPad variants systems using this chip are still supported.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apple A10X</span> System on a chip (SoC) designed by Apple Inc.

The Apple A10X Fusion is a 64-bit ARM-based system on a chip (SoC) designed by Apple Inc. and manufactured by TSMC. It first appeared in the 10.5" iPad Pro and the second-generation 12.9" iPad Pro, which were both announced on June 5, 2017. The A10X is a variant of the A10 and Apple claims that it has 30 percent faster CPU performance and 40 percent faster GPU performance than its predecessor, the A9X.

iPad Pro (1st generation) Tablet computer made by Apple (2015–2017)

The first generation of iPad Pro is a line of iPad tablet computers designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc, first sold in 2015 at a screen size of 12.9 inches. A smaller model, based on the form factor of the iPad Air 2, with a 9.7 inch screen, was announced on March 21, 2016, and released on March 31, 2016, alongside the first-generation iPhone SE.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apple A11</span> System on a chip (SoC) designed by Apple Inc.

The Apple A11 Bionic is a 64-bit ARM-based system on a chip (SoC), designed by Apple Inc. and manufactured by TSMC. It first appeared in the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, and iPhone X which were introduced on September 12, 2017. Apple states that the two high-performance cores are 25% faster than the Apple A10's and the four high-efficiency cores are up to 70% faster than the two corresponding cores in the A10. The A11 Bionic chip was discontinued on April 15, 2020, following the discontinuation of the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus. The latest software update for the iPhone 8 & 8 Plus including the iPhone X using this chip was iOS 16.5.1, released on June 21, 2023, as it was discontinued with the release of iOS 17 in 2023 due to hardware limitations of the A11.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apple A12</span> System on a chip (SoC) designed by Apple Inc.

The Apple A12 Bionic is a 64-bit ARM-based system on a chip (SoC) designed by Apple Inc. It first appeared in the iPhone XS and XS Max, iPhone XR, iPad Air, iPad Mini, 8th generation iPad and Apple TV 4K. Apple states that the two high-performance cores are 15% faster and 50% more energy-efficient than the Apple A11's, and the four high-efficiency cores use 50% less power than the A11's. It is the first mass-market system on a chip to be built using the 7 nm process.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apple A12X</span> System on a chip (SoC) designed by Apple Inc.

The Apple A12X Bionic is a 64-bit system on a chip (SoC) designed by Apple Inc. It first appeared in the iPad Pro, announced on October 30, 2018. The A12X is an 8-core variant of the A12 and Apple states that it has 35 percent faster single-core CPU performance and 90 percent faster overall CPU performance than its predecessor, the Apple A10X. The Apple A12Z Bionic is an updated version of the A12X, adding an additional GPU core, and was unveiled on March 18, 2020 as part of the iPad Pro.

iPad Mini (5th generation) Tablet computer made by Apple since 2019

The fifth-generation iPad Mini is a tablet computer in the iPad Mini line, designed, developed and marketed by Apple Inc. Announced in a press release along with the third-generation iPad Air on March 18, 2019 and released the same day, It was revealed at the Apple March 2019 Event. Its predecessor, the iPad Mini 4, was discontinued on the same day.

iPad Air (3rd generation) Tablet computer made by Apple (2019–2020)

The iPad Air is a tablet computer developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. It was announced and released on March 18, 2019, alongside the 5th-generation iPad Mini.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apple A14</span> System on a chip (SoC) designed by Apple Inc.

The Apple A14 Bionic is a 64-bit ARMv8.5-A system on a chip (SoC), designed by Apple Inc. It appears in the fourth generation iPad Air and tenth generation iPad, as well as iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max. Apple states that the central processing unit (CPU) performs up to 40% faster than the A12, while the graphics processing unit (GPU) is up to 30% faster than the A12. It also includes a 16-core neural engine and new machine learning matrix accelerators that perform twice and ten times as fast, respectively.

iPhone 12 Pro 14th-generation smartphone produced by Apple Inc.

The iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max are smartphones designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. They are the flagship smartphones in the fourteenth generation of the iPhone, succeeding the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max, respectively. They were unveiled alongside the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini at an Apple Special Event at Apple Park in Cupertino, California on October 13, 2020, with the iPhone 12 Pro being released on October 23, 2020, and the iPhone 12 Pro Max on November 13, 2020. They were discontinued on September 14, 2021, along with the iPhone XR, following the announcement of the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro.

iPhone 13 Pro 15th-generation smartphone produced by Apple Inc.

The iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max are smartphones designed, developed and marketed by Apple Inc. They were the flagship smartphones in the fifteenth generation of the iPhone, succeeding the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max respectively. The devices were unveiled alongside the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini at an Apple Special Event at Apple Park in Cupertino, California on September 14, 2021, and became available ten days later, on September 24. They were discontinued on September 7, 2022, as well as the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 mini, following the announcement of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Tanner, Jason; Morrison, Jim; James, Dick; Fontaine, Ray; Gamache, Phil (September 20, 2013). "Inside the iPhone 5s". Chipworks. Archived from the original on August 3, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 "iPhone 6 Plus Teardown". iFixit. Retrieved 2014-09-20.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 NXP 150 MHz, 32-bit Cortex-M3 microcontrollers LPC1800 (PDF) (Technical report). NXP Semiconductors. September 2010. 9397 750 17002. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
  4. 1 2 Estes, Adam Clark (2013-09-10). "How Apple's M7 Chip Makes the iPhone 5S the Ultimate Tracking Device". Gizmodo. Retrieved 2013-09-13.
  5. 1 2 Sumra, Husain (2013-09-10). "iPhone 5s Includes New 'M7' Motion Coprocessor for Health and Fitness Tracking". MacRumors. Retrieved 2013-09-13.
  6. ↑ "iPhone 6 - Technology". Apple. Archived from the original on 2014-09-09.
  7. 1 2 "iPad Air 2 - Performance". Apple. Archived from the original on 2014-10-16.
  8. 1 2 "iPhone 6 Teardown". iFixit. Retrieved 2014-09-20.
  9. 1 2 "Apple Introduces iPhone 6s & iPhone 6s Plus" (Press release). Apple. 2016-09-09.
  10. 1 2 "iPhone SE - Technical Specifications". Apple. Archived from the original on 2016-06-16. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  11. 1 2 "iPad Pro". Apple. Archived from the original on 2015-09-13.
  12. 1 2 "iPhone 7 - Technical Specifications". Apple. Archived from the original on 2016-09-08. Retrieved 2016-09-08.
  13. 1 2 "iPad Pro - Technical Specifications". Apple. Archived from the original on 2018-09-15. Retrieved 2018-09-15.
  14. 1 2 "iPhone X - Technical Specifications". Apple. Archived from the original on 2017-09-17. Retrieved 2017-09-17.
  15. ↑ "iPhone XS - Technical Specifications". Apple. Archived from the original on 2018-09-27. Retrieved 2018-09-27.
  16. ↑ Lal Shimpi, Anand (2013-09-17). "The iPhone 5s Review: M7 Motion Coprocessor". AnandTech. Retrieved 2013-09-18.
  17. ↑ "iPhone 6s - Technology". Apple. September 8, 2015. Archived from the original on September 13, 2015. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
  18. ↑ Martin, Mel (2013-09-12). "The iPhone's M7 Motion coprocessor and Maps". TUAW. Retrieved 2013-09-13.
  19. ↑ Colon, Alex (2013-09-12). "Apple's M7 coprocessor might bring big improvements to its mapping abilities". GigaOM. Retrieved 2013-09-13.
  20. ↑ Burns, Chris (2013-09-12). "iPhone 5S Apple M7 coprocessor "knows" when you are sleeping". SlashGear. Retrieved 2013-09-13.
  21. ↑ Gurman, Mark (2013-09-12). "iPhone's M7 motion processor to integrate with Maps as Apple develops indoor mapping, public transit". 9to5Mac. Retrieved 2013-09-13.
  22. ↑ Clark, Mitchell (2022-05-10). "Apple discontinues the iPod after 20 years". The Verge. Retrieved 2022-05-12.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.