MPCore

MPCore is a marketing term used to describe a family of multicore processor cores used in embedded and consumer computing devices. It does not denote a single standardized architecture; rather, several semiconductor vendors have employed the name for different multicore designs, typically aimed at improving performance-per-watt and compact form factors.

Most MPCore implementations place two or more processing cores on a single silicon die and provide a coherent cache hierarchy, often with per-core L1 data and instruction caches and a shared or closely coupled L2 or L3 cache. An interconnect or network-on-chip fabric enables communication between cores and between cores and memory controllers on an SoC. Features commonly associated with MPCore designs include support for symmetric or asymmetric multiprocessing, hardware virtualization, and advanced power-management capabilities such as dynamic frequency and voltage scaling.

Applications for MPCore-based devices span embedded systems, automotive electronics, networking equipment, digital media devices, and mobile platforms. The programming model typically relies on established instruction sets such as ARM or PowerPC, with operating system support through Linux, real-time operating systems, or dedicated firmware. Development tools and SDKs from individual vendors accompany MPCore deployments, reflecting variations across product lines.

Because MPCore is a marketed term rather than a single design, exact specifications—such as the number of cores, cache sizes, and integrated peripherals—vary by product. The term has appeared in product briefs and technical literature for multiple generations of multicore CPUs, making direct cross-vendor comparisons challenging.