What Is ARM Architecture? Everything You Need to Know

what is arm architecture

From smartphones to industrial edge computers, ARM® architecture powers billions of devices around the world. Known for its efficiency-first design and flexible licensing model, ARM® has rapidly expanded from mobile processors to AI edge computing, industrial controllers, and even data centers.

In this blog, we’ll break down what ARM® architecture really is, its key features, how it differs from platforms like NVIDIA Jetson™, and how it compares to traditional x86 systems.

What is ARM Architecture?

ARM (Advanced RISC Machine) is a type of CPU architecture built on Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) principles, emphasizing simplicity, power efficiency, and speed. Instead of executing complex instructions like x86 processors, ARM cores handle simpler, streamlined commands that are easier and faster to process.

Key Characteristics:

RISC-based: Executes fewer instructions, more efficiently.
License-based model: ARM® Holdings licenses the architecture to manufacturers like Qualcomm, Apple, and MediaTek.
Found in embedded systems, IoT devices, mobile processors, and increasingly in AI edge devices and servers.

ARM's rise has been fueled by the need for fanless, low-power, and cost-efficient computing, especially at the edge.

Key Technologies and Features of ARM Architecture

What makes ARM architecture so popular across diverse industries?

Power Efficiency
ARM chips are optimized for minimal power draw—ideal for edge computing where thermal constraints or battery operation are common.

Scalable Design
From ultra-light microcontrollers to server-grade multi-core CPUs, ARM offers flexibility across performance tiers.

ARM® TrustZone®
A hardware-based security feature that enables secure boot and execution, critical for IoT and industrial systems

Heterogeneous Computing (big.LITTLE)
Combines high-performance and low-power cores on a single chip for intelligent task management and power saving.

Integrated System-on-Chip (SoC) Design
Most ARM-based systems integrate CPU, GPU, memory, and connectivity in a compact, single chip—perfect for space-constrained industrial devices.

ARM-Based Computers vs. NVIDIA Jetson Orin Modules

Many assume all ARM systems are similar—but Jetson modules are built for an entirely different class of edge workloads. To demonstrate the difference, let’s compare a general-purpose ARM-based processor like the Rockchip RK3568J with an AI-centric platform like NVIDIA Jetson Orin.

Feature	ARM-based Rockchip RK3568J	NVIDIA Jetson Orin
Purpose	Embedded control, industrial automation, HMI systems	AI/ML inference, robotics, computer vision
Core	Quad-core ARM® Cortex®-A55	ARM® Cortex®-A78AE + NVIDIA® Ampere GPU
Acceleration	Integrated NPU (0.8 TOPS), optional VPU	High-performance GPU + Tensor Cores (up to 275 TOPS)
Software Stack	Linux, Android, Debian, Yocto Project	JetPack SDK, CUDA, TensorRT, DeepStream
Use Cases	Smart kiosks, IIoT gateways, cost-effective edge AI	Autonomous systems, AI inspection, AGV/AMR

In short: While both platforms are ARM-based, the RK3568J is optimized for efficient edge computing with modest AI capability, thanks to its integrated NPU. Jetson Orin modules, on the other hand, offer GPU-accelerated parallel processing built for complex real-time inference tasks.

ARM vs. x86 Architecture: What's the Difference?

As ARM expands into edge computing and even enterprise servers, the ARM vs. x86 debate has become more relevant.

Feature	ARM	x86
Architecture Type	RISC	CISC (Complex Instruction Set)
Performance	Optimized for specific tasks	Higher general-purpose performance
Power Efficiency	Low	High
Cost & Size	Smaller, integrated SoC	Typically larger footprint
Software Compatibility	Growing Linux ecosystem	Mature Windows/Linux support

In industrial applications, ARM is ideal for decentralized, edge-centric deployments, while x86 remains dominant in high-performance centralized systems.
Learn more about ARM vs x86 architecture.

Why ARM Matters in Industrial Computing

As industrial systems become more decentralized, connected, and intelligent, the need for power-efficient, compact, and application-specific computing is greater than ever. ARM-based processors—such as the Rockchip RK3568J—are enabling this shift by delivering just the right amount of compute and AI acceleration for real-time, edge-centric workloads.

Unlike power-hungry x86 systems or GPU-heavy platforms, ARM solutions offer a balance of performance, low heat generation, and integration flexibility, making them ideal for:

Smart kiosks and HMI panel
Industrial gateways and edge controllers
Semi-autonomous systems with lightweight AI processing

At the same time, for AI-heavy workloads like robotics or video analytics, ARM platforms such as NVIDIA Jetson combine ARM cores with powerful GPUs—pushing the boundary of what's possible in physical AI applications.

Whether you need a cost-effective embedded platform like RK3568J or a GPU-accelerated Jetson module, ARM gives you the architectural flexibility to scale across industrial use cases—from factory automation to autonomous transport systems.