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Advanced Topic 50 of 51 Computer Architecture & Logic

ARM and RISC-V

Prominent modern reduced instruction set families.

How it works

ARM and RISC-V are reduced instruction set architectures. ARM is a proprietary ISA licensed by Arm Holdings to chip makers, powering most phones, tablets and many servers and laptops. RISC-V is an open, modular ISA with a small base integer set and optional extensions for multiplication, floating point, atomics and vectors, free to implement without licensing fees.

Step-by-step walkthrough

  1. Software is compiled for the instruction set.
  2. ARM is a licensed RISC ISA found in most phones.
  3. RISC-V is an open ISA anyone may implement.
  4. Companies design cores that implement it.
  5. The cores are built into low-power chips.

Where it is used

ARM cores are in smartphones, embedded devices, Apple silicon and cloud processors. RISC-V is growing in microcontrollers, accelerators, research, education and custom silicon where freedom to add extensions matters.

Common pitfall

Software must be built for the correct ISA and often depends on ecosystem maturity, such as compilers, operating systems and drivers, which is still developing for RISC-V. Custom extensions fragment compatibility. ARM licensing costs and restrictions affect design choices. Compare performance per watt in actual products rather than by ISA alone.

Where it fits in the course

ARM and RISC-V is topic 50 of 51 in Computer Architecture & Logic, rated Advanced. It follows Hardware Description Languages. The next topic is Moore's Law and Dennard Scaling.

Practice and explore

How to study this topic

  1. Read the explanation above and restate the definition in your own words.
  2. Open the interactive lesson and answer its mini quiz.
  3. Read the common pitfall, then write a short example that avoids it.
  4. Check your understanding in the Computer Architecture & Logic quiz, and revisit the topic if you miss a question.

Frequently asked questions

What is ARM and RISC-V?
Prominent modern reduced instruction set families. It belongs to Computer Architecture & Logic and is an advanced-level topic.
Where do people use ARM and RISC-V?
ARM cores are in smartphones, embedded devices, Apple silicon and cloud processors.
What is the most common mistake with ARM and RISC-V?
Software must be built for the correct ISA and often depends on ecosystem maturity, such as compilers, operating systems and drivers, which is still developing for RISC-V.
What should I learn before this topic?
Start with Hardware Description Languages, the topic just before it in Computer Architecture & Logic.
How can I practice it?
Answer the mini quiz in the interactive lesson, then take the Computer Architecture & Logic quiz.
Is ARM and RISC-V hard to learn?
It is an Advanced topic. Expect to read the explanation more than once and to connect it with earlier topics. Working through a small example by hand helps most.
How long does it take to learn ARM and RISC-V?
Most learners can read the explanation and finish the interactive lesson in under an hour. Fluency comes from applying the idea, so plan a few short practice sessions with the quiz.
Which topics are related to ARM and RISC-V?
Hardware Description Languages, Moore's Law and Dennard Scaling, FPGA are closely connected. The full list is in the related topics section of this page.
What should I study after ARM and RISC-V?
Continue with Moore's Law and Dennard Scaling, the next topic in Computer Architecture & Logic.

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