Apple M-series coprocessors

The NXP LPC18A1, also known as the M7 motion coprocessor
General information
Launched	September 2013
Designed by	M7, M8:NXP Semiconductors
Common manufacturer	M7, M8:NXP Semiconductors[1] TSMC (under contract) Samsung (under contract) Apple Inc. (licensee)
Product code	M7: LPC18A1[1] M8: LPC18B1[2]
Performance
Max.CPUclock rate	150[3] MHz
Architecture and classification
Technology node	90 nm[3]
Microarchitecture	Cortex-M3[3]
Instruction set	ARMv7-M[3]
Physical specifications
Cores	1[3]

TheApple M-series coprocessors are motioncoprocessors used byApple Inc. in their mobile devices. First released in 2013, their function is to collect sensor data from integratedaccelerometers,gyroscopes andcompasses and offload the collecting and processing of sensor data from the maincentral processing unit (CPU).

The first coprocessor of the series is theM7 (codenameOscar), which was introduced in September 2013 as part of theiPhone 5S.^[4][5] Chipworks found that the M7 most likely is aNXPLPC1800 basedmicrocontroller calledLPC18A1. It uses anARM Cortex-M3 core with a customised packaging and naming scheme indicating that it is for an Apple customized part.^[1] The updated versionM8 was introduced in September 2014 with theiPhone 6 and also processes data from thebarometer that is included in theiPhone 6 andiPad Air 2.^[6][7]iFixit have identified the M8 in the iPhone 6 to be an NXP device with a very similar name, theLPC18B1.^[2][8]

The later coprocessors are embedded into the A-series SoCs. September 2015 brought theM9 motion coprocessor embedded within theA9 chip found in theiPhone 6S,iPhone 6S Plus,^[9]first-generation iPhone SE^[10] and within theA9X chip found in thefirst-generation iPad Pro.^[11] TheiPhone 7,iPhone 7 Plus,^[12]second-generation iPad Pro feature theM10 motion coprocessor, embedded within theA10 Fusion and theA10X Fusion chips.^[13] Apple included theM11 in theiPhone 8, 8 Plus andiPhone X, embedded within theA11 Bionic SoC.^[14]

Starting with theA12 Bionic SoC, Apple has stopped distinguishing the motion coprocessor from the rest of the SoC, and has abandoned the corresponding M-series nomenclature.^[15] The M-series nomenclature was reintroduced in 2020 forARM-based SoCs used inMac computers and iPad tablets (starting from the 5th generation iPad Pro).

The Apple M-series coprocessors collect, process, and store sensor data even if the device is asleep, and applications can retrieve data when the device is powered up again. This reduces power draw of the device and saves battery life.^[16] In addition to servicing theaccelerometer,gyroscope,compass, and in M8 and later coprocessors,barometer, the M9 coprocessor can recognizeSiri voice commands from the built inmicrophones of the device.^[17]

The M-series motion coprocessors are accessible to applications through theCore MotionAPI introduced iniOS 7, so they do, for example, allowfitness apps that track physical activity and access data from the M processors without constantly engaging the main application processor. They enable applications to be aware of what type of movement the user is experiencing, such as driving, walking, running, or sleeping.^[18][19][20] Another application could be the ability to do indoor tracking and mapping.^[21] IniOS 10, the motion coprocessor is used to implement raise-to-wake functionality, reducing idle energy usage.

• 
  The LPC18A1, also known as the Apple M7. Manufactured week 29 in 2013.
• 
  The size difference between the A7 and the smaller LPC18A1
• 
  The LPC18B1, also known as the Apple M8. Manufactured week 28 in 2014.
• 
  The size difference between the A8 and the smaller LPC18B1
• 
  The size difference between the A8X and the smaller LPC18B1
• 
  The Apple A9 which has the on-die M9 coprocessor
• 
  The Apple A9X which has the on-die M9 coprocessor
• 
  Apple A10 Fusion with on-die M10 coprocessor
• 
  Apple A10X with on-die M10 motion co-processor
• 
  Apple A11 Bionic with on-die M11 motion co-processor

• Apple A series
• Apple A7
• Apple A8
• Apple A8X
• Apple A9
• Apple A9X
• Apple A10 Fusion
• Apple A10X Fusion
• Apple A11 Bionic

• Apple Inc. mobile processors
• Coprocessors
• Products introduced in 2013

• Articles with short description
• Short description is different from Wikidata