TechKnowSurge
TechKnowSurge Catalog Videos System-On-Chip (SoC)
VideoSecurityFree

System-On-Chip (SoC)

A system on a chip (SoC) integrates all core computing components—CPU, RAM, storage, and firmware—onto a single integrated circuit, replacing the separate parts found in traditional computer architectures. This approach enables the compact, efficient designs required by modern embedded and specialized devices.

⚑ Complete this video to capture a CTF flag worth 1 point.

About this video

A system on a chip (SoC) is an integrated circuit that combines all the core functions of a computer onto a single chip. Where a conventional computer distributes processing, memory, storage, and firmware across multiple discrete components on a motherboard, an SoC consolidates all of these into one compact unit. This makes it possible to build fully functional computing systems at a fraction of the physical size of traditional architectures. SoCs are especially critical in embedded systems and specialized devices, where space and power efficiency are primary design constraints. As hardware continues to shrink and use cases become more targeted, the SoC model provides a practical path to delivering the necessary computing capability without the overhead of full-scale component architecture. Understanding SoCs is foundational knowledge for anyone working with IoT devices, edge computing, or modern embedded hardware.

What you'll learn

What's covered

System on a Chip (SoC)

Key terms

Security Operations Center
SOC
A centralized team and facility responsible for monitoring, detecting, and responding to security incidents.
Integrated Circuit
IC
A miniaturized electronic circuit containing transistors, resistors, and other components fabricated onto a single semiconductor chip, enabling the compact, high-speed logic that powers modern CPUs, memory modules, and nearly every digital device.
Embedded System
A computer system built and optimized for a specific device or function, typically smaller than a general-purpose computer.

Topics

System On Chip Integrated Circuits Embedded Systems Computer Architecture Hardware

Transcript

As we're making smaller and smaller devices and very specialized devices, we're needing to shrink the footprint of the computer side of these devices. And so one of the ways we do that is called a system on a chip.

On a typical computer, or at least what we think of as a typical computer, we would think of a motherboard and a CPU, a GPU, BIOS, the RAM. We'd think of all these separate components that are on a typical computer.

When it comes to embedded systems, a lot of times we need a lot of those same components. They're like mini computers. But the thing is that we want to make them smaller and smaller. Well, one way to make them smaller is a system on a chip.

What essentially this is, is now all of that processing, all of this storage, all of the RAM, all of the BIOS, all of this happens on a single integrated circuit, on a single chip that can be created. So rather than having a separate CPU, this would look similar to a CPU, but it would have the RAM on it, it would have the storage on it, it would have the BIOS on it, or different other components. So it's the full system, the full computer system, on a single chip.

About TechKnowSurge

TechKnowSurge builds IT and cybersecurity professionals through hands-on, concept-first training built around real understanding — not memorization. Free interactive tools, structured programs, and 25+ years of real-world experience, all in one place.

Explore free tools and programs →