CISC Processors in ARM Architecture

Report by: Muhammad Ali Amir

BCSM-f18-125

Superior University Gold Campus

Table of Contents

Introduction ............................................................................... 3
What is ARM Architecture? .................................................................. 3
What is CISC? ..................................................................................... 3
What if? ................................................................................ 4

Pros and Cons ............................................................................. 4

Advantages ........................................................................................... 4
Disadvantages ................................................................................... 4

Architectural Design .................................................................. 5

Conclusion .................................................................................. 5
Introduction:
What is ARM Architecture?
Arm Architecture is a family of CPU based on Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC). ARM
makes 32-bit and 64-bit RISC multi-core processors. RISC processors are designed to perform a
smaller number of types of computer instructions so that they can operate at a higher speed,
performing more millions of instructions per second (MIPS). By stripping out unneeded
instructions and optimizing pathways.

What is CISC?
CISC stands for "Complex Instruction Set Computing." This is a type of microprocessor design.
The CISC architecture contains a large set of computer instructions that range from very simple
to very complex and specialized. These processors are usually used in computers have Intel x86
etc. These processors are for heavy duty purposes. They can do complex work very efficiently.
What if?
What if we use CISC processors in Arm Architecture? What will be its behavior? Would be it
Fruitful or not? In this report we will be discussing all the aspects of this fusion. It will includes
its pros and cons. Its behavior, architecture etc.

Pros and Cons:

Advantages:
 A lots of commands can be given to computer by just one line instruction.

 It will replace hard wiring of control unit with microprogramming.

 It will be less expensive as there will be more programming than wiring

 it will efficiently use memory as the complexity of instruction will cut of the memory

usage of lengthy instruction code

 It is easy to add new commands into the chip without changing the structure of the

instruction set as the architecture uses general-purpose hardware to carry out

commands.
  The compiler need not be very complicated, as the microprogram instruction sets can be

written to match the constructs of high level languages.

Disadvantages:
 Chip hardware and instruction set became complex with each generation of the

processor.

 The overall performance of the machine is reduced due to the different amount of

clock time required by different instructions.

 The processor will need more Instruction cycles to complete task

 This architecture necessitates on-chip hardware to be continuously reprogrammed.

 Processor first need to convert high level language to computer understandable

language to execute.

 It will consume more power in order to perform complex operations.

Architectural Design:
Conclusion:
In conclusion we can say, CISC has many benefits such as doing heavy operations very
efficiently, it will have low cost as it will have programmable microprocessors. It can be
reprogrammed. But on the other side, it has some drawbacks too. As it has to do complex
operations, so it requires a lot of power. Also its Speed is much slower than other processors
due to its long clock time. So if we use the hybrid of these processors we can do a lot of
operation with great efficiency.