Highest Performance CPU with Split-Lock
Cortex-A78AE is the highest performance Cortex-A processor designed for devices undertaking complex and demanding safety-critical tasks. The Split-Lock capability with second-generation Dual Core Lock-Step (DCLS) enables flexible operations at the highest levels of safety. With the ability to run different workloads concurrently and a 30 percent performance uplift compared to its predecessor, Cortex-A78AE offers the scalable, efficient, heterogeneous compute required for automated driving and autonomous industrial systems.
Features and Benefits
The Cortex-A78AE features an advanced energy-efficient microarchitecture designed for performance density to deliver highest peak and sustained single-thread performance in thermally constrained fanless designs.
Options for multicore, multi-cluster, accelerator ports and heterogenous compute configurations offer the ability to run different workloads or application footprints, allowing the deployment of the same SoC compute architecture into different domain controllers.
Switch between split mode for highest cluster-level performance, lock mode for advanced multicore fault-tolerance with ASIL D/SIL 3 hardware metrics, or hybrid mode to deliver higher compute availability to help achieve ASIL B/SIL 2 safety requirements.
Split-Lock Technology
We have added a new capability to Arm Split-Lock technology called hybrid mode. Hybrid mode enables the cores to run independently or split, with only the Arm DynamIQ Shared Unit (DSU) running in lock mode. This enables our partners to achieve higher coverage and reduce testing downtime when targeting ASIL B/SIL 2 use cases.
Where Innovation and Ideas Come to Life
Autonomous Vehicles
Any faults and failures may be life threatening so automotive systems demand higher levels of functional safety. Cortex-A78AE provides a flexible, scalable heterogeneous compute solution to meet the highest Automotive Safety Integrity Level (ASIL) standards required for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving.
IVI and Digital Cockpit
Cortex-A78AE can help further enhance the capabilities of IVI technology. The enhanced safety features coupled with the ability to support heterogenous configurations with Cortex-A65AE, lays the foundation for next-generation cockpit domain controllers.
Industrial Automation
Cortex-A78AE offers the processing power, energy-efficiency, and critical functional safety following the IEC 61508 standard. This is required to implement factory automation and human machine interfaces (HMI) or to operate autonomous robots that use machine learning and vision systems to minimize human control.
Talk with an Expert
Find out how Cortex-A78AE can bring high-performance compute, power efficiency, and safety to your complex automotive and industrial solutions.
Explore More Options and Features

CoreLink CMN-600AE
CMN-600AE is a highly scalable coherent mesh network optimized for Armv8-A processors and designed for high-performance IVI, digital cockpit, and ADAS systems that need to meet ASIL B to ASIL D automotive safety requirements.

CoreLink MMU-600AE
The Arm MMU-600AE handles all aspects of memory management, including memory virtualization and supporting PCIe address translation services. It enables high-performance systems targeting ASIL B to ASIL D safety integrity levels.

CoreLink GIC-600AE
Arm’s latest GICv4 compatible interrupt controller incorporates advanced safety mechanisms to target up to ASIL D applications. In conjunction with Armv8-A class AE CPUs, the GIC-600AE enables high-performance safety-oriented systems in IVI, ADAS and autonomous systems.
Mali-G78AE
Mali-G78AE is a highly scalable GPU that enables configurable workload separation and virtualization. Mali-G78AE is designed to the IEC 61508 and ISO 26262 safety standards for industrial and automotive application respectively and is ASIL B/SIL 2 safety-capable.
CoreSight SoC-600
With the most comprehensive library for the creation of debug and trace solutions, the CoreSight SoC-600 enables protocol-based debug access throughout the product lifecycle.
Mali-C71AE
As an advanced high-performance ISP, Mali-C71AE delivers key visual information to both computer vision (CV) systems and human display for clear and convenient viewing. Mali-C71AE is the first Arm ISP with built-in features for functional safety.
A Foundation of Silicon Success
Arm-based chips, device architectures and technologies orchestrate the performance of everything that makes modern life possible.
Arm Architecture
Arm architecture specifies a set of rules that dictate how the hardware works when a particular instruction is executed. This contract between the hardware and the software defines how they interact with one another. This is the foundation of the portability and compatibility promise, underlying the Arm ecosystem.
Arm Neon Technology
Neon technology is an advanced SIMD architecture extension for the Arm Cortex-A and Cortex-R series processors. The architecture extension improves the multimedia user experience across many applications.
Cortex-A78AE Resources
Safety Certificates
News
Webinar
Blogs
- Fast Track to Autonomy with Software Development
- Enabling Next-Generation Autonomous Systems
- Arm Cortex-A78AE: On the Road to an Autonomous Future
White Papers
- How To Accelerate The Journey To Autonomous Vehicles
- How To Navigate the Journey to Autonomous Factories, & Supply Chains
Development Tools