The Apple M7 (codename Oscar), M8, M9, and M10 are motion coprocessors used by Apple Inc. in their mobile devices. Their function is to collect sensor data from integrated accelerometers, gyroscopes and compasses and offload the collecting and processing of sensor data from the main central processing unit (CPU). The M7 was introduced in September 2013 with the iPhone 5S and the updated version, M8 was introduced in September 2014 with the iPhone 6 and also processes data from the barometer that is included in the iPhone 6 and iPad Air 2. September 2015 brought the M9 motion coprocessor embedded within the A9 chip found in the iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, iPhone SE and within the A9X chip found in the iPad Pro. Apple announced the latest edition to its motion coprocessors, the M10, September 2016, found in the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.
Chipworks found that the M7 most likely is a NXP LPC1800 based microcontroller called LPC18A1. It uses an ARM Cortex-M3 core with a customised packaging and naming scheme indicating that it is for an Apple customized part. iFixit have identified the M8 in the iPhone 6 to be an NXP device with a very similar name, the LPC18B1.
Maps, Directions, and Place Reviews
Usage
The Apple M7, M8, M9, and M10 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. In addition to servicing the accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, and barometer, the M9 coprocessor can recognize Siri voice commands from the built in microphones of the device.
The M-series motion coprocessors are accessible to applications through the Core Motion API introduced in iOS 7, so they do, for example, allow fitness 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. Another application could be the ability to do indoor tracking and mapping. In iOS 10, the motion coprocessor is used for raise to wake functionality.
M6 Fitness Video
Products
Apple M7, LPC18A1
- iPhone 5S
- iPad Air
- iPad mini (2nd generation)
- iPad mini 3
- Apple A7
Apple M8, LPC18B1
- iPhone 6
- iPhone 6 Plus
- iPad Air 2
- iPod Touch (6th generation)
- iPad Mini 4
- Apple A8
- Apple A8X
Apple M9
- iPhone 6S
- iPhone 6S Plus
- iPad Pro
- iPhone SE
- Apple A9
- Apple A9X
Apple M10
- iPhone 7
- iPhone 7 Plus
- Apple A10
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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