Glossary

ISA

What is an ISA?

An ISA, or Instruction Set Architecture, is a written specification that defines the interface between the software and hardware components of a computer system.

It defines the set of instructions that a processor can execute and the format of these instructions.

We can view the ISA as an abstraction layer between the hardware and software. This abstraction allows software developers to write programs without having to worry about the underlying hardware implementation details. The ISA provides a standardized set of instructions that software can use to perform operations such as arithmetic, logical operations, memory access, and control flow.

The ISA specifies the format of the instructions, the number and types of operands they can operate on, and the behavior of each instruction. The ISA also defines the registers available in the processor, memory addressing modes, and other architectural features.

What types of instruction set architectures exist?

Different processor architectures, such as x86, Arm, MIPS, and RISC-V have their own distinct ISAs. Each ISA has its own advantages and trade-offs in terms of performance, power efficiency, and software ecosystem.

All Codasip processors are compliant with the RISC-V ISA.

What is the difference between Arm vs. RISC-V ISA?

The Arm ISA is proprietary whereas the RISC-V ISA is open. RISC-V is more suitable for applications that require customization and scalability. The RISC-V ISA is modular and flexible. Designers can add standard and custom extensions to create unique products. The Arm ISA does not allow modifications to the ISA, limiting optimizations.

Glossary

ISA

What is an ISA?

What types of instruction set architectures exist?

What is the difference between Arm vs. RISC-V ISA?

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