System on chip is an integrated circuit or a microchip. This small chip contains all the components of an electronic system. The components may include digital or analogue functions, processors, memories, etc. System on Chip technology has a great value in embedded system applications. The embedded components enable the chip to operate as a standalone system or device. ASIC, FPGA, PLD, or CPLD, all can be used for system on chip prototyping.

System On Chip Components

There are no specifications for system on chip (SOC) components but a typical system on chip consists of microprocessor cores, memory and serial / parallel interfaces.

SYSTEM ON CHIP (SOC) Processor Cores

Most certain components of a system on chip (SOC) are miroprocessor, microcontroller or DSP cores. Microprocessor or microcontroller cores are considered to be the heart of system on chip system on chip (SOC). There are programmable memory blocks within these cores. The memory can be RAM, ROM, or FLASH. This indicates that System On Chips (SOC) is programmable.

System On Chip (SOC) Interfaces

Interface choices include external interfaces and analogue interfaces. External interfaces are usually industry standard. These may include FireWire, Ethernet, SPI, or USART. Analogue interfaces are analogue to digital and digital to analogue converters (ADC & DAC).

System On Chip (SOC) Other Components

Furthermore peripherals such as real time timers, counters, and power-on reset generators, power management circuits, voltage regulators, and timing sources such as phase-locked loops and oscillators may also be the important components on a system on chip.

System On Chip (SOC) Timing Sources

Timing sources may be an essential part of SYSTEM ON CHIP (SOC). Oscillators or feedback systems produce RF signal outputs. Analogue interfaces start converting signals only when timing sources are initialized. This allows the integrated components of an SYSTEM ON CHIP (SOC) to communicate with external devices.

System On Chip (SOC) Applications

Being relatively cost effective small sized, and reliable the use of System On Chip technology is increasing specially in embedded industry. Most system on chip (SOC) devices are available from microcontroller manufacturers and NIC (network interface card) manufacturers. Mostly SOC technology is used in network interfaces, security devices, home automation applications, CNC program control, HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) systems, and other such applications. The customizable property makes SOC to be used in aerospace applications to control, monitor, and report on other systems. Other applications of System On Chip (SOC) include cell phone chips for wireless communication such as blue tooth or radio frequency. Their use is also increasing in devices for text messaging, input output logic controls, Internet access, and multimedia applications. System On Chip (SOC) industry has now become a billion dollar industry. Manufacturers develop and design the SOC products to meet the industry as well as commercial standards. These standards may include IEEE, FCC, EEA, or other such standards.