AMBA, or the Advanced Microcontroller Bus Architecture, is a set of specifications developed by ARM Holdings for connecting various components in embedded systems. It provides a standardized way for microcontrollers and peripherals to communicate, ensuring compatibility and efficiency in data transfer. The AMBA architecture includes several protocols, such as AXI (Advanced eXtensible Interface) and APB (Advanced Peripheral Bus), each designed for specific types of data transactions. This modular approach allows developers to create flexible and scalable designs, making it easier to integrate different hardware components in a system-on-chip (SoC) environment.