ACPI will likely remain dominant for the next decade, but pressure from open firmware (e.g., OpenPOWER’s OPAL) may push innovation.
— essential but frustrating.
| Table | Purpose | 64-bit specific notes | |-------|---------|------------------------| | | Differentiated System Description Table — main AML code | Executed by OS’s AML interpreter | | SSDT | Secondary SSDTs — often for dynamic devices (e.g., Thunderbolt) | Used heavily in hotplug scenarios | | MADT | Multiple APIC Description Table | Contains 64-bit APIC IDs (for >255 CPU cores) | | SRAT | Static Resource Affinity Table (NUMA) | Supports 64-bit memory ranges | | HMAT | Heterogeneous Memory Attributes Table | New for 64-bit NUMA with HBM/PMEM | | BGRT | Boot Graphics Resource Table | Ensures smooth UEFI splash→OS transition | | PPTT | Processor Properties Topology Table (ARM64) | Required for cache hierarchy on 64-bit ARM | acpi 64
ACPI is the standard interface between an OS (e.g., Linux, Windows, BSD) and system firmware for: ACPI will likely remain dominant for the next