# Broadcom BCM2711

> ARM system-on-a-chip by Broadcom released in 2020

**Wikidata**: [Q126327631](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q126327631)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/broadcom-bcm2711

## Summary
The Broadcom BCM2711 is a system-on-a-chip (SoC) developed by Broadcom and released in 2020. It serves as an integrated circuit that consolidates processing, graphics, and video decoding components into a single chip.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date**: 2020
- **Manufacturer**: Broadcom
- **Classification**: System on a chip (SoC), Integrated circuit
- **CPU Architecture**: ARM Cortex-A72
- **CPU Core Count**: 4
- **GPU**: VideoCore
- **Video Capabilities**: Includes a video decoder supporting Advanced Video Coding (AVC) and High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC)

## FAQs
### Q: What type of processor is the Broadcom BCM2711?
A: The Broadcom BCM2711 is a system-on-a-chip (SoC) that utilizes four ARM Cortex-A72 cores for its central processing unit (CPU) and a VideoCore unit for graphics processing.

### Q: What video decoding features does the BCM2711 support?
A: This chip includes a dedicated video decoder component that is compatible with both Advanced Video Coding (AVC) and High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) formats.

### Q: How is the BCM2711 classified in electronics?
A: It is classified as a system on a chip (SoC), meaning it integrates the functions of a computer system—such as the processor, memory interfaces, and peripherals—onto a single integrated circuit.

## Why It Matters
The Broadcom BCM2711 represents a significant iteration in ARM-based system-on-a-chip technology. By integrating a quad-core ARM Cortex-A72 CPU and a VideoCore GPU with modern video decoding capabilities (HEVC), the chip provides a balance of processing power and multimedia efficiency. This integration is essential for devices requiring compact, energy-efficient designs without sacrificing the ability to handle high-definition video processing and complex computing tasks.

## Notable For
- **Quad-Core Processing**: Distinguished by its inclusion of four ARM Cortex-A72 CPU cores.
- **Multimedia Integration**: Features a VideoCore GPU and specialized hardware for decoding High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC).
- **System Integration**: Functions as a complete system on a chip, combining CPU, GPU, and decoders into a single integrated circuit.

## Body
### Definition and Classification
The Broadcom BCM2711 is an ARM-based system-on-a-chip (SoC) released by Broadcom in 2020. As an SoC, it falls under the class of integrated circuits designed to integrate all components of a computer or electronic system into a single chip. This architecture allows for more compact and efficient designs compared to systems utilizing discrete components.

### Technical Specifications
The chip is built around specific processing and multimedia components designed to handle a variety of computing tasks:

- **Central Processing Unit (CPU)**: The BCM2711 utilizes the ARM Cortex-A72 architecture. It features four cores, providing the primary processing power for the chip.
- **Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)**: Graphics rendering is handled by a VideoCore GPU.
- **Video Decoding**: The chip contains a dedicated video decoder part. This component supports specific video standards, specifically Advanced Video Coding (AVC) and High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC), enabling the hardware to efficiently process modern video formats.

### Context within System-on-Chip Architecture
As a system on a chip, the BCM2711 exemplifies the integration of functions typically found across multiple chips. By combining the CPU, GPU, and specialized video decoders, the BCM2711 reduces the physical size and potential power consumption required for the system it powers. This design methodology is standard in modern electronics where space and energy efficiency are critical.