AMBA: enabling reusable on-chip designs

In 1995, Advanced RISC Machines released its Advanced Microcontroller Bus Architecture in response to input from key semiconductor licensees. AMBA's goal is to help designers of embedded CPU systems meet challenges like design for low power consumption and test access. Because input for AMBA came from designers of ARM-based microprocessors, ARM was also able to develop a solid design rationale and evolve an architectural design that would address the most common problems. This article describes some of AMBA's design methodology and provides a set of specifications that will aid designers in making detailed comparisons with other buses. AMBA defines both a bus specification and a technology-independent methodology for designing, implementing, and testing customized, high-integration embedded controllers.