Arm Cortex-A78AE
The Arm Cortex-A78AE is a high-performance application CPU core delivered as a licensable IP block, based on the Armv8.2-A architecture (AArch64). The "AE" (Automotive Enhanced) variant extends the Cortex-A78 core with functional-safety features required in automotive and autonomous machines.
Its key feature is Split-Lock technology: cores can run independently (split mode) for maximum multicore performance, or in Dual Core Lock-Step (lock mode) providing fault tolerance up to ASIL D per ISO 26262. Cores are integrated in DynamIQ (DSU-AE) clusters of 1–4 cores each.
The Cortex-A78AE is widely used in SoCs for autonomous machines and robotics — including NVIDIA Jetson Orin modules (12 cores in AGX Orin, 8 cores in Orin NX), where it serves as the main application processor. Its direct predecessor in this line is the Cortex-A76AE.
Classification
CPU core (IP) · serves as: High-level compute, Embedded main processor.
Which group Arm Cortex-A78AE belongs to and how it is built
Subcategory covering CPU cores delivered as IP blocks (e.g. Arm Cortex-A), licensed and integrated into SoCs for autonomous machines, vehicles and robots.
A CPU core delivered as an intellectual-property (IP) block that semiconductor vendors license and integrate into their own SoCs. It is not sold as a separate physical processor.
Technical specification
DynamIQ cluster (DSU-AE)
DynamIQ cluster (DSU-AE)