Atom (system on a chip)

Atom is a system on a chip (SoC) platform designed for smartphones and tablet computers, launched by Intel in 2012. It is a continuation of the partnership announced by Intel and Google on September 13, 2011 to provide support for the Android operating system on Intel x86 processors. This range competes with existing SoCs developed for the smartphone and tablet market from companies such as Texas Instruments, Nvidia, Qualcomm and Samsung. Unlike these companies, which use ARM-based CPUs designed from the beginning to consume very low power, Intel has adapted the x86-based Intel Atom line of CPU developed for low power usage in netbooks, to even lower power usage.

Since April 2012, several manufacturers have released Intel Atom-based tablets and phones as well as using the SoCs as a basis for other small form factor devices (e.g. mini PCs and stick PCs).

In April 2016, Intel announced a major restructuring, including the cancellation of the SoFIA platform. It was reported by many news outlets that Broxton (the final version in the Atom line) was cancelled.

List of systems

Merrifield and Moorefield smartphone platforms

In Q1 2014, Intel launched its fully Android compatible smartphone platform Merrifield based on a 22 nm SoC. It was followed by its platform refresh Moorefield in Q4 2014.

Operating system support on Cloverview

While Penwell SoC supports, in addition to Microsoft Windows, both Linux and Android operating systems, Intel has announced that it will not provide support for Linux on Cloverview family of Atom systems-on-a-chip. This announcement has caused strong negative reaction from open source proponents. A few days later Intel issued a statement saying that it h27x0 series). The Clover Trail+ platform was later released targeting Google Android (z25x0 series).

The last version of Windows 10 to support Cloverview is the Anniversary Update (version 1607) until January 10, 2023 when the last public security patch KB5022289 was released; later versions of Windows 10 and all versions of Windows 11 cannot be installed.

New power states on Cloverview

Z2760 Cloverview has introduced two new power states: S0i1 and S0i3. The S0i1 state is intended to be used when the display is on but the user does not actively interact with the device; it consumes power in mW range, and can be entered/left in microseconds. The S0i3 state is intended to be used when the device display is off; it consumes power in microwatt range, and can be entered/left in milliseconds. As a result, Intel claims longer standby battery life (up to three weeks for a typical tablet).

Roadmap

Airmont-based Atom platforms will be codenamed Moorefield (smartphones) and Cherry Trail (tablets) using the Anniedale and Cherryview SoCs.

In May 2011, Intel announced an accelerated roadmap for Atom System-on-Chip (SoC) products, introducing the 22 nm Silvermont microarchitecture in 2013.

Silvermont Microarchitecture (2013) Atom SoCs included

• Tangier (Merrifield): Designed for smartphones.
• Valleyview (Bay Trail): Targeted at tablets, featuring Intel's 7th generation GPU, which provided a 4–7× improvement in performance over previous Atom GPUs.
• Rangeley and Avoton: Developed for networking and storage applications, part of the Edisonville platform.

Airmont Microarchitecture (2014)

The 14 nm microarchitecture succeeded Silvermont in 2014, with the following Atom platforms:

• Moorefield: Developed for smartphones.
• Cherry Trail: Designed for tablets, using the Cherryview SoC.

Goldmont and Goldmont Plus Microarchitectures (2016–2019)

Intel introduced the Goldmont (2016) and Goldmont Plus (2018) microarchitectures, featuring improvements in efficiency and performance. Key platforms included:

• Apollo Lake (2016): Targeted at low-power laptops, Chromebooks, and embedded systems.
• Gemini Lake (2017): An enhancement over Apollo Lake, supporting higher clock speeds and improved integrated graphics.

The planned Morganfield (smartphones) and Willow Trail (tablets) platforms, based on the Broxton SoC, were canceled in 2016 as Intel shifted its Atom focus toward embedded and IoT devices.

Tremont Microarchitecture (2019)

In 2019, Intel introduced the Tremont microarchitecture, which improved instructions-per-cycle (IPC) efficiency. Tremont-based Atom processors included:

• Elkhart Lake (2020): Targeted at industrial IoT and embedded applications.[8]
• Jasper Lake (2021): Designed for low-power consumer laptops and Chromebooks.[9]

Alder Lake-N and Future Atom Successors (2023–present)

Introduced in 2023, Alder Lake-N processors succeed the Atom series, utilizing Gracemont efficiency cores for budget-friendly laptops, Chromebooks, and entry-level desktops. Unlike previous Atom architectures, they integrate technologies from Intel’s mainstream Core series, improving performance and efficiency.

Intel continues advancing low-power SoC architectures, incorporating Intel 4, Intel 3, and Intel 20A process nodes with RibbonFET and PowerVia technologies.

Subsequent developments integrate Atom-class efficiency cores into hybrid architectures:

• Meteor Lake (2023): Intel 4, modular tile-based design, Crestmont efficiency cores, first use of EUV lithography.
• Arrow Lake (2024): Expected to refine performance-per-watt optimizations.
• Lunar Lake (2025): Projected 3× AI performance improvement over predecessors, targeting AI-driven applications.

These processors represent Intel's continued iteration of its low-power CPU architectures, with a focus on efficiency and AI capabilities.

Similar SoCs

• Apple silicon by Apple
• Exynos by Samsung
• Jaguar and Puma by AMD
• NovaThor by ST-Ericsson
• OMAP by Texas Instruments
• Snapdragon by Qualcomm
• Tegra by Nvidia
• R-Car by Renesas
• Dolphin by Telechips
• Vortex86 by DMP Electronics

See also

• Mobile Internet device: Intel MID platforms
• Mobile Internet device
• List of Intel Atom microprocessors
• Bonnell and Saltwell microarchitectures
• Silvermont and Airmont microarchitectures
• Comparison of Intel graphics processing units
• Allwinner
• Rockchip
• MIPS architecture
• Intel 80386EX (one of Intel's first SoCs)
• Tolapai (Intel's earlier SoC not marketed as Atom)
• Intel Quark
• Intel Edison