# ARM big.LITTLE

> ARM's implementation of heterogeneous-core CPUs

**Wikidata**: [Q2902093](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2902093)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARM_big.LITTLE)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/arm-big-little

## Summary
ARM big.LITTLE is ARM's implementation of a heterogeneous-core CPU, a processor architecture containing at least two distinct types of general-purpose cores. This technology combines performance cores optimized for speed with efficiency cores designed for power savings to balance high-performance tasks and energy-efficient operations.

## Key Facts
- ARM big.LITTLE is an instance of a processor design and a subclass of the heterogeneous-core CPU.
- The architecture was designed by Arm Holdings.
- It is defined as ARM's implementation of heterogeneous-core CPUs.
- The technology utilizes heterogeneous computing principles.
- It is distinct from coprocessors and integrated graphics processors.
- The Wikipedia title for the entity is "ARM big.LITTLE," and it is available in 12 language variants including English, German, French, Chinese, and Japanese.
- The official website for the technology is located at `https://www.arm.com/technologies/big-little`.
- The architecture is visually documented by an image of the Cortex A57/A53 MPCore CPU.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary function of ARM big.LITTLE?
A: ARM big.LITTLE functions as a heterogeneous-core CPU that integrates at least two distinct types of general-purpose cores. This setup allows the processor to manage high-performance tasks and power-saving operations simultaneously.

### Q: Who designed the ARM big.LITTLE architecture?
A: The ARM big.LITTLE architecture was designed by Arm Holdings. It serves as their specific implementation of heterogeneous-core processor design.

### Q: How does ARM big.LITTLE utilize different types of cores?
A: The architecture employs performance cores optimized for speed to handle complex tasks and efficiency cores designed for power savings for less demanding operations. This distinction allows for efficient processing across varying workloads.

### Q: Is ARM big.LITTLE related to integrated graphics or coprocessors?
A: No, ARM big.LITTLE is distinct from coprocessors and integrated graphics processors. It focuses specifically on general-purpose computing using varied core types.

## Why It Matters
ARM big.LITTLE is significant because it pioneered the adoption of heterogeneous-core CPUs in the processor market. By introducing a design that combines distinct performance and efficiency cores, ARM provided a solution that revolutionized energy consumption in mobile and embedded systems. This architecture allows devices to maintain high processing speeds for complex applications while conserving battery life during lighter tasks, addressing the critical trade-off between performance and power efficiency. Its implementation has influenced broader processor design trends, demonstrating the viability and efficiency of heterogeneous computing in modern technology.

## Notable For
- Pioneering the implementation of heterogeneous-core CPU architectures.
- Distinct integration of performance cores (for speed) and efficiency cores (for power savings).
- Being an early adopter of heterogeneous computing principles in mainstream processors.
- Serving as a subclass of heterogeneous-core CPUs while being an instance of processor design.
- Widespread documentation and adoption, evidenced by its availability in 12 Wikipedia languages.

## Body
### Architecture and Design
ARM big.LITTLE is a processor design created by Arm Holdings. It is classified as an instance of processor design and a subclass of heterogeneous-core CPU. The architecture is defined by the inclusion of at least two distinct types of general-purpose cores. These are typically categorized as:
- **Performance cores:** Optimized for speed and handling complex, resource-intensive tasks.
- **Efficiency cores:** Designed for power savings and managing simpler, less demanding operations.

This structure enables the processor to balance high-performance tasks with energy-efficient operations, a hallmark of heterogeneous computing.

### Technical Classification
The technology falls under the class of heterogeneous-core CPUs, which are computer processors containing at least two distinct types of general-purpose cores. It is important to note that ARM big.LITTLE is distinct from coprocessors and integrated graphics processors, as its primary focus is on general-purpose computing with varied core types rather than specialized auxiliary functions.

### Documentation and Resources
The architecture is extensively documented. An image of the Cortex A57/A53 MPCore CPU, which features the big.LITTLE architecture, is available via Wikimedia Commons. The entity has a Freebase ID (`/m/0n8_tq2`) and is referenced in publications dating back to October 28, 2013. The Wikipedia entry for "ARM big.LITTLE" exists across 12 language sites, including Arabic, Catalan, Czech, German, English, Spanish, Estonian, French, Hungarian, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese. The official resource for the technology is hosted on the Arm website at `https://www.arm.com/technologies/big-little`.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013