Apple motion coprocessors

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Apple M-series coprocessors
200px
The NXP LPC18A1, also known as the M7 motion coprocessor.
Produced From September 2013 to present
Designed by NXP Semiconductors
Common manufacturer(s)
Max. CPU clock rate 150[2] MHz
Min. feature size 90 nm[2]
Instruction set ARMv7-M[2]
Microarchitecture Cortex-M3[2]
Product code M7: LPC18A1[1]
M8: LPC18B1[3]
Cores 1[2]

The Apple M7 (codename Oscar), M8, and M9 are motion coprocessors used by Apple Inc. in their mobile devices. 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). The M7 was introduced in September 2013 with the iPhone 5S[4][5] and 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] September 2015 brought the M9 motion coprocessor embedded within the A9 chip found in the iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, and within the A9X chip found in the iPad Pro.[8][9]

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] iFixit have identified the M8 in the iPhone 6 to be an NXP device with a very similar name, the LPC18B1.[3][10]

Usage

The Apple M7, M8, and M9 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.[11] In addition to servicing the accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, and barometer, the M9 coprocessor can recognize Siri voice commands from the built in microphones of the device.[12]

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.[13][14][15] Another application could be the ability to do indoor tracking and mapping.[16]

Products

Apple M7, LPC18A1

Apple M8, LPC18B1

Apple M9

Gallery

  • NXP LPC18A1.jpg

    The LPC18A1, also known as the Apple M7. Manufactured week 29 in 2013.

  • LPC18A1-and-A7.jpg

    The size difference between the A7 and the smaller LPC18A1.

  • NXP LPC18B1.jpg

    The LPC18B1, also known as the Apple M8. Manufactured week 28 in 2014.

  • LPC18B1-and-A8.jpg

    The size difference between the A8 and the smaller LPC18B1.

  • The Apple A9 which has the on die M9 coprocessor

  • The Apple A9X which has the on die M9 coprocessor

See also

References

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  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Apple - iPhone 6 - Technology
  7. ↑ Apple - iPad Air 2 - Performance
  8. ↑ Apple Introduces iPhone 6s & iPhone 6s Plus
  9. ↑ iPad Pro - Apple
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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