From WikiChip
Difference between revisions of "apple/ax/a12z"
< apple‎ | ax

(further cleanup)
(Undo revision 98280 by 202.134.9.147 (talk))
 
(19 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown)
Line 11: Line 11:
 
|first launched=March 25, 2020
 
|first launched=March 25, 2020
 
|family=Ax
 
|family=Ax
|frequency=TBD MHz  (big)
+
|frequency=2,500 MHz  (big)
|frequency 2=TBD MHz  (little)
+
|frequency 2=1,590 MHz  (little)
|isa=TBD
+
|isa=ARMv8.3
 
|isa family=ARM
 
|isa family=ARM
|core name=TBD
+
|core name=Vortex
|core name 2=TBD
+
|core name 2=Tempest
|core name 3=TBD
 
 
|process=7 nm
 
|process=7 nm
|transistors=TBD
+
|transistors=10,000,000,000+
 
|technology=CMOS
 
|technology=CMOS
|die area=TBD mm²
+
|die area=122 mm²+
 
|die length=N/A
 
|die length=N/A
 
|die width=N/A
 
|die width=N/A
Line 29: Line 28:
 
|max cpus=1
 
|max cpus=1
 
|predecessor=A12X
 
|predecessor=A12X
|predecessor link=apple/ax/a10x
+
|predecessor link=apple/ax/a12x
 
|contemporary=A13
 
|contemporary=A13
 
|contemporary link=apple/ax/a13
 
|contemporary link=apple/ax/a13
 +
|contemporary 2=M1
 +
|contemporary 2 link=apple/mx/m1
 
}}
 
}}
 
'''A12Z Bionic''' is a {{arch|64}} [[octa-core]] [[ARM]] mobile [[system on a chip]] introduced by [[Apple]] in early [[2020]] as a successor to the {{\\|A12X}}.
 
'''A12Z Bionic''' is a {{arch|64}} [[octa-core]] [[ARM]] mobile [[system on a chip]] introduced by [[Apple]] in early [[2020]] as a successor to the {{\\|A12X}}.
  
 
== Overview ==
 
== Overview ==
Fabricated on [[TSMC]] [[7 nm process]] (presumably) and integrating (at least) 10 billion [[transistors]], the A12Z (likely) features four [[big cores|big]] {{apple|Vortex|l=arch}} cores (?) <!-- operating at up to TBD GHz --> along with four [[little cores|little]] {{apple|Tempest|l=arch}} high-efficiency cores (?). If similar to the A12X then these eight cores can operate concurrently.  
+
Fabricated on the [[TSMC]] [[7 nm process]] and integrating at least 10 billion [[transistors]], the A12Z features four [[big cores|big]] {{apple|Vortex|l=arch}} cores along with four [[little cores|little]] {{apple|Tempest|l=arch}} high-efficiency cores. Like the {{\\|A12X}} all CPU cores can operate concurrently.  
  
The A12Z features an Apple-designed graphics processor, and Apple's [[neural processor]] makes its third appearance in an A_X-series chip.
+
The A12Z features an Apple-designed graphics processor, Apple's [[neural processor]], an improved thermal architecture, and "tuned performance controllers."
  
 +
 +
:[[File:A12Z.png| 575px| Apple A12Z]]
  
 
== ISP ==
 
== ISP ==
The A12Z likely incorporates an Apple [[image signal processor]] – ''something'' has to be processing all that LiDAR data.
+
The A12Z incorporates an Apple [[image signal processor]] with depth engine.
  
 
== Integrated Graphics ==
 
== Integrated Graphics ==
The A12Z's Apple-designed graphics processor is an eight-core design. It is unclear the extent to which these GPU cores differ from the {{\\|A12X}}.
+
The A12Z's Apple-designed graphics processor is an eight-core design, a 14% increase over the {{\\|A12X}}'s seven-core GPU.
  
 
== Neural Engine ==
 
== Neural Engine ==
The A12Z chip features a [[neural engine]]. It is unclear the extent to which this neural engine differs from the {{\\|A12X}}.
+
Continuing the 'Bionic' namesake, the A12Z features a [[neural engine]] similar if not identical to that on the {{\\|A12X}}.
  
 
== Utilizing devices ==
 
== Utilizing devices ==
 
* [[used by::iPad Pro 11" (2nd gen)]]
 
* [[used by::iPad Pro 11" (2nd gen)]]
 
* [[used by::iPad Pro 12.9" (4th gen)]]
 
* [[used by::iPad Pro 12.9" (4th gen)]]
 +
* [[used by::Mac mini Developer Transition Kit]]
  
 
== Bibliography ==
 
== Bibliography ==
* Apple Website, March 18, 2020.
+
* Apple website [https://www.apple.com/ipad-pro/specs/ specs page] and [https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2020/03/apple-unveils-new-ipad-pro-with-lidar-scanner-and-trackpad-support-in-ipados/ press release], March 18, 2020.
 +
* [https://www.anandtech.com/show/15634/apple-unveils-new-ipad-pro-a12z-bionic-camera-w-depth-sensor-for-ar-keyboard-w-trackpad Anandtech article], March 18, 2020.

Latest revision as of 12:16, 21 December 2020

Edit Values
A12Z Bionic
General Info
DesignerApple
ManufacturerTSMC
Model NumberA12Z Bionic
Part NumberTBD
MarketMobile
IntroductionMarch 18, 2020 (announced)
March 25, 2020 (launched)
General Specs
FamilyAx
Frequency2,500 MHz (big), 1,590 MHz (little)
Microarchitecture
ISAARMv8.3 (ARM)
Core NameVortex, Tempest
Process7 nm
Transistors10,000,000,000+
TechnologyCMOS
Die122 mm²+
N/A × N/A
Word Size64 bit
Cores8
Threads8
Multiprocessing
Max SMP1-Way (Uniprocessor)
Succession
Contemporary
A13
M1

A12Z Bionic is a 64-bit octa-core ARM mobile system on a chip introduced by Apple in early 2020 as a successor to the A12X.

Overview[edit]

Fabricated on the TSMC 7 nm process and integrating at least 10 billion transistors, the A12Z features four big Vortex cores along with four little Tempest high-efficiency cores. Like the A12X all CPU cores can operate concurrently.

The A12Z features an Apple-designed graphics processor, Apple's neural processor, an improved thermal architecture, and "tuned performance controllers."


Apple A12Z

ISP[edit]

The A12Z incorporates an Apple image signal processor with depth engine.

Integrated Graphics[edit]

The A12Z's Apple-designed graphics processor is an eight-core design, a 14% increase over the A12X's seven-core GPU.

Neural Engine[edit]

Continuing the 'Bionic' namesake, the A12Z features a neural engine similar if not identical to that on the A12X.

Utilizing devices[edit]

  • iPad Pro 11" (2nd gen)
  • iPad Pro 12.9" (4th gen)
  • Mac mini Developer Transition Kit

Bibliography[edit]

Facts about "A12Z Bionic - Apple"
core count8 +
core nameVortex + and Tempest +
designerApple +
familyAx +
first announcedMarch 18, 2020 +
first launchedMarch 25, 2020 +
full page nameapple/ax/a12z +
instance ofmicroprocessor +
isaARMv8.3 +
isa familyARM +
ldateMarch 25, 2020 +
manufacturerTSMC +
market segmentMobile +
max cpu count1 +
model numberA12Z Bionic +
nameA12Z Bionic +
part numberTBD +
process7 nm (0.007 μm, 7.0e-6 mm) +
smp max ways1 +
technologyCMOS +
thread count8 +
used byiPad Pro 11" (2nd gen) +, iPad Pro 12.9" (4th gen) + and Mac mini Developer Transition Kit +
word size64 bit (8 octets, 16 nibbles) +