MPSoC

MPSoC, short for multiprocessor system-on-chip, is a class of system-on-chip that integrates multiple processor cores on a single die, typically supplemented by memory controllers, graphics and digital signal processing units, and other accelerators, as well as peripherals and an on-chip interconnect. The goal is to deliver higher performance and energy efficiency for complex workloads in a compact, embedded form factor. MPSoCs are commonly used in mobile devices, automotive electronics, networking equipment, and consumer electronics, where power and space constraints are critical.

Architecturally, MPSoCs can be homogeneous, with several identical CPU cores, or heterogeneous, combining general-purpose cores with specialized units such as GPUs, DSPs, NPUs, or fixed-function accelerators. The cores share an on-chip interconnect, which can be a bus, a crossbar, a mesh NoC, or another network, enabling communication between CPUs, accelerators, memory controllers, and I/O. Memory systems may implement shared main memory with coherent caches or use a hybrid approach with private L2/L3 caches and a shared last-level cache. Power and thermal management, real-time guarantees, and software programmability are central design concerns.

Software for MPSoCs typically runs a real-time or general-purpose operating system, such as Linux or an RTOS, and relies on heterogenous programming models and toolchains. Offloading computing tasks to accelerators is common, using frameworks such as OpenCL or vendor-specific APIs.

The MPSoC paradigm emphasizes integration, performance, and energy efficiency, while presenting challenges in design complexity, verification, software development, and safety certification for critical applications, such as automotive or industrial control.