VideoCore

VideoCore is a proprietary VLIW (Very Long Instruction Word) graphics processing unit (GPU) and video processing unit (VPU) architecture developed by Broadcom Corporation. It is primarily found in System-on-a-Chip (SoC) processors used in a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, set-top boxes, and single-board computers like the Raspberry Pi.

The architecture is designed for high performance and low power consumption, making it suitable for mobile and embedded applications. VideoCore is capable of handling complex graphics rendering, video encoding and decoding, and other multimedia tasks. Its VLIW design allows for the execution of multiple instructions in parallel, enhancing efficiency.

The first version of VideoCore was introduced in 2002. Subsequent iterations, such as VideoCore III, IV, and VI, have progressively improved performance, power efficiency, and feature sets, including support for higher resolutions and advanced graphics APIs. The open-source community, particularly in relation to the Raspberry Pi, has played a significant role in understanding and utilizing the VideoCore architecture, with efforts to provide open-source drivers and documentation. This has enabled developers to leverage its capabilities for a variety of projects beyond typical consumer electronics.