ARM Cortex-M3
Encyclopedia
The ARM Cortex-M3 is an ARM
processor core licensed by ARM Holdings
. The core is intended for microcontroller
applications.
are implementing the Cortex-M3 core, including:
ARM architecture
ARM is a 32-bit reduced instruction set computer instruction set architecture developed by ARM Holdings. It was named the Advanced RISC Machine, and before that, the Acorn RISC Machine. The ARM architecture is the most widely used 32-bit ISA in numbers produced...
processor core licensed by ARM Holdings
ARM Holdings
ARM Holdings plc is a British multinational semiconductor and software company headquartered in Cambridge. Its largest business is in processors, although it also designs, licenses and sells software development tools under the RealView and KEIL brands, systems and platforms, system-on-a-chip...
. The core is intended for microcontroller
Microcontroller
A microcontroller is a small computer on a single integrated circuit containing a processor core, memory, and programmable input/output peripherals. Program memory in the form of NOR flash or OTP ROM is also often included on chip, as well as a typically small amount of RAM...
applications.
Features
Key features of the Cortex-M3 core are:- ARMv7-M architecture
- Support for Thumb and Thumb-2 instruction encodings
- 3-stage pipeline with branch speculationBranch predictorIn computer architecture, a branch predictor is a digital circuit that tries to guess which way a branch will go before this is known for sure. The purpose of the branch predictor is to improve the flow in the instruction pipeline...
- 1 to 240 physical interruptInterruptIn computing, an interrupt is an asynchronous signal indicating the need for attention or a synchronous event in software indicating the need for a change in execution....
s, plus NMINon-Maskable interruptA non-maskable interrupt is a computer processor interrupt that cannot be ignored by standard interrupt masking techniques in the system. It is typically used to signal attention for non-recoverable hardware errors... - 12 cycle interrupt latency
- Integrated sleep modes
- 8 region memory protectionMemory protectionMemory protection is a way to control memory access rights on a computer, and is a part of most modern operating systems. The main purpose of memory protection is to prevent a process from accessing memory that has not been allocated to it. This prevents a bug within a process from affecting...
unit (MPU) - 1.25 DMIPS/MHz
- 0.19 mW/MHz
- 0.86 mm2 (core and peripherals)
Implementations
Several systems-on-chipsSystem-on-a-chip
A system on a chip or system on chip is an integrated circuit that integrates all components of a computer or other electronic system into a single chip. It may contain digital, analog, mixed-signal, and often radio-frequency functions—all on a single chip substrate...
are implementing the Cortex-M3 core, including:
- ActelActelActel Corporation is a manufacturer of nonvolatile, low-power FPGAs, mixed-signal FPGAs, and programmable logic solutions...
SmartFusion family - AtmelAtmelAtmel Corporation is a manufacturer of semiconductors, founded in 1984. Its focus is on system-level solutions built around flash microcontrollers...
SAM3S, SAM3U, and SAM3N families - Cypress SemiconductorCypress SemiconductorCypress Semiconductor Corporation is a Silicon Valley-based semiconductor design and manufacturing company founded by T. J. Rodgers and others from Advanced Micro Devices. It was formed in 1982 with backing by Sevin Rosen and went public in 1986. The company initially focused on the design and...
PSoC 5 - Energy MicroEnergy MicroEnergy Micro AS is a fabless semiconductor company specializing in 32-bit Flash microcontrollers EFM32 and EFR4D Draco RF Trans-receivers. The semiconductor company focuses on 32-bit microcontrollers with ultra low energy consumption...
EFM32 family - FujitsuFujitsuis a Japanese multinational information technology equipment and services company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It is the world's third-largest IT services provider measured by revenues....
FM3 familiy - NXP 13xx, 17xx and 18xx families
- STMicroelectronicsSTMicroelectronicsSTMicroelectronics is an Italian-French electronics and semiconductor manufacturer headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.While STMicroelectronics corporate headquarters and the headquarters for EMEA region are based in Geneva, the holding company, STMicroelectronics N.V. is registered in Amsterdam,...
STM32STM32STM32 is a family of multiple series of microcontroller ICs, by STMicroelectronics , based on the 32-bit RISC Cortex-M3 and Cortex-M4F cores from ARM Holdings...
families - Texas InstrumentsTexas InstrumentsTexas Instruments Inc. , widely known as TI, is an American company based in Dallas, Texas, United States, which develops and commercializes semiconductor and computer technology...
Stellaris family and included in some OMAP 4 SoC's - ToshibaToshibais a multinational electronics and electrical equipment corporation headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It is a diversified manufacturer and marketer of electrical products, spanning information & communications equipment and systems, Internet-based solutions and services, electronic components and...
TX03 Series
See also
- MicrocontrollerMicrocontrollerA microcontroller is a small computer on a single integrated circuit containing a processor core, memory, and programmable input/output peripherals. Program memory in the form of NOR flash or OTP ROM is also often included on chip, as well as a typically small amount of RAM...
- ARM architectureARM architectureARM is a 32-bit reduced instruction set computer instruction set architecture developed by ARM Holdings. It was named the Advanced RISC Machine, and before that, the Acorn RISC Machine. The ARM architecture is the most widely used 32-bit ISA in numbers produced...
- List of ARM microprocessor cores
Further reading
- The Definitive Guide to the ARM Cortex-M3; 2nd Edition; Joseph Yiu; Newnes; 479 pages; 2009; ISBN 978-1856179638. (Online Sample)