UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA

SKEE3223 - MICROPROCESSOR
Module 02

Dr Afzan Othman
MODULE 2
I N T R O D U C T I O N TO A R M P R O C E S S O R

Dr Afzan Othman
Architecture & Organization
Definition

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 Definition of Architecture & Organization
• What is architecture?
o Architecture is how a computer system is designed and what technologies it is
compatible with.
o The attributes of a system are visible to a programmer.
o These attributes have a direct impact on the logical execution of a program (i.e.
instruction set, number of bits used for data representation, I/O mechanisms,
addressing techniques).
o There two type of computer architecture.
o Von Neumann architecture: a computer architecture with physically single
storage and signal pathways for instructions and data.
o Harvard architecture: a computer architecture with physically separate storage
and signal pathways for instructions and data.

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 Von Neumann Architecture

o The computer has single storage system(memory) for storing data as well as program to be
executed.
o Processor needs two clock cycles to complete an instruction. Pipelining the instructions is not
possible with this architecture.
o In the first clock cycle the processor gets the instruction from memory and decodes it. In the next
clock cycle the required data is taken from memory. For each instruction this cycle repeats and
hence needs two cycles to complete an instruction.

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o This is a relatively older architecture and was replaced by Harvard architecture.
 Harvard Architecture

o The computer has two separate memories for storing data and program.
o Processor can complete an instruction in one cycle if appropriate pipelining strategies are
implemented.
o In the first stage of pipeline the instruction to be executed can be taken from program memory. In
the second stage of pipeline data is taken from the data memory using the decoded instruction or
address.
o Most of the modern computing architectures are based on Harvard architecture. But the number

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of stages in the pipeline varies from system to system.
 Definition of Architecture & Organization
• What is organization?
o Computer Organization is typically refers to the operational units of the system
together with their interconnection – how features are implemented.
o It consists of hardware details that are transparent to the programmers.

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 Processor Architecture & Organization
• Many computer manufacturers offer a family of computer models, all with the
same architecture but with differences in organization.
• This gives code compatibility (at least backwards)
o All Intel x86 family share the same basic architecture
o The IBM System/370 family share the same basic architecture
• An architecture may survive many years, but its organization changes with the
changing technology.
o E.g. the IBM Systems/370 architecture, with few enhancements, has survived to this
day as the architecture of IBM's mainframe product line.

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 90’s 2000’s

2010’s 2020’s

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 Processor ISA (Industry Standard Architecture):
CISC vs RISC
CISC RISC
Emphasis on hardware Emphasis on software
Include multi-clock complex instructions Include single-clock reduce instruction only

Memory-to-memory: “Load” and “Store” Register-to-register: “Load” and “Store” are

incorporated in instructions independent instructions
Small code sizes, high cycles per second Low cycles per second, large code sizes
Transistors used for storing complex Spends more transistors on memory registers
instructions

• RISC vs. CISC is a topic quite popular on the Net. Every time Intel (CISC) or Apple (RISC) introduces a new CPU, the topic pops up again.

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• Most PC's use CPU based on CISC architecture. For instance Intel and AMD CPU's are based on CISC architectures.
• RICS is the architecture of the future.
Introduction to ARM
(Advanced RISC Machine)

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 Why ARM?

• Power Efficiency: ARM processors are designed to be highly power-efficient, making

them ideal for battery-powered devices like smartphones, tablets, and wearables.
• Performance: ARM processors offer robust performance suitable for a wide range of
applications, from basic tasks to more demanding ones like gaming and multimedia.
• Scalability: Can be used in a variety of devices, from low-power embedded systems to
high-performance applications.
• Ecosystem and Support: ARM has a vast ecosystem of developers, toolchains, and
support resources.
• Customization: ARM's licensing model allows manufacturers to customize the
processors to meet their specific needs.
• Integration: ARM processors often come with integrated peripherals and features,
reducing the need for additional components and saving space and cost, which is crucial

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for compact portable devices.

Dr Afzan Othman
 ARM History

1980s
Acorn Computers:
• ARM's history traces back to Acorn Computers, a British
company that developed microcomputers in the early 1980s.
• Acorn was tasked with developing a new computer for the
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) which led to the
creation of the BBC Micro, a successful educational computer
in the UK.

Development of ARM:
• In the mid-1980s, Acorn Computers, led by Sophie Wilson and
Steve Furber, began developing a new processor to replace the
MOS Technology 6502 used in the BBC Micro.
• Inspired by the reduced instruction set computing (RISC)
principles, they created the first ARM processor, the Acorn

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RISC Machine.

Dr Afzan Othman
 ARM History
1990s – Formation of ARM Holdings
Spin-Off (ARM Ltd founded):
• In 1990, Acorn Computers, Apple Computer, and VLSI
Technology founded a joint venture called Advanced RISC
Machines Ltd (ARM Ltd).
• ARM Ltd was established to develop the ARM architecture
further and license it to other companies.

Rise of the ARM Architecture:

• ARM's RISC architecture, known for its simplicity, power
efficiency, and performance, started gaining traction in
various markets.
• Apple used the ARM architecture in its Apple Newton PDA,
ARM HQ was a barn in Cambridge (1990) one of the first significant commercial uses of ARM
processors.

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Dr Afzan Othman
 ARM History

2000s - Expansion and Dominance

Mobile Revolution:
• The early 2000s saw a surge in mobile device usage, with
smartphones and tablets becoming ubiquitous.
• ARM processors, with their low power consumption and
adequate performance, became the standard for mobile
devices.
Broad Licensing Model:
• ARM Holdings licensed its designs to a wide range of
semiconductor companies like Qualcomm, Samsung, and
Nvidia.
• This licensing model allowed ARM to dominate the mobile
processor market without manufacturing chips themselves.

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Dr Afzan Othman
ARM History
2010-Present – Moderns Era
Diverse Applications:
• Beyond mobile devices, ARM processors found applications
in various fields, including embedded systems, IoT devices,
automotive, and even data centers.
• The versatility and scalability of the ARM architecture
enabled it to adapt to numerous computing needs.
Acquisitions and Growth::
• In 2016, Japanese conglomerate SoftBank acquired ARM
Holdings for $32 billion, reflecting the growing importance
and value of ARM technology.
• ARM continued to innovate, developing more powerful and
energy-efficient processors like the ARM Cortex series

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Dr Afzan Othman
ARM History

2010-Present – Moderns Era

Data Centers and PCs:
• ARM-based processors began making inroads into data
centers and personal computing. Companies like Amazon
(with their Graviton processors) and Apple (with their M1
and M2 chips) demonstrated the potential of ARM in high-
performance computing environments.
Future Prospects:
• ARM continues to evolve, with a focus on expanding its
presence in data centers, artificial intelligence, and
machine learning applications.
• The ongoing transition to ARM-based processors in various

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industries suggests a bright future for the architecture.

Dr Afzan Othman
Cortex Series

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 ARM Cortex Series

• ARM processor is categorized into three primary profiles:

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Dr Afzan Othman
 Cortex-A Series
Application Processor
ARM Features:
• High Performance: Implements ARMv7-A and ARMv8-A architectures, supporting 32-bit and 64-bit
processing.
• Multi-core Support: Up to eight cores in some designs for improved multitasking and performance.
• Advanced SIMD (Single Instruction, Multiple Data) Extensions: Supports NEON technology for multimedia
processing, enhancing video, audio, and image processing.
• Virtualization Support: ARM Virtualization Extensions enable running multiple operating systems
simultaneously.
• Security Features: TrustZone technology provides a secure environment for executing sensitive code and
protecting data.

Applications:
• Smartphones and Tablets: Cortex-A processors are the standard for mobile devices, providing the necessary
performance and efficiency.
• Digital TVs and Set-Top Boxes: High-definition video processing capabilities make them suitable for media

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applications.
• Automotive: Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) systems.

Dr Afzan Othman
 Cortex-R Series
Real-time Processor
ARM Features:
• Deterministic Real-time Performance: Designed to handle real-time processing with
predictable response times.
• High Reliability: Includes error-correcting code (ECC) memory for increased reliability and data
integrity.
• Low Latency: Optimized for low interrupt latency, critical for real-time applications.
• Fault Tolerance: Implements hardware and software features to ensure operation in the
presence of faults, which is essential for safety-critical systems.

Applications:
• Automotive: Engine management, transmission control, and braking systems.
• Industrial Control: Robotics, automation systems, and PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers).
• Storage: Hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid-state drives (SSDs).

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• Medical Devices: Equipment requiring precise and reliable operation, such as pacemakers and
infusion pumps.

Dr Afzan Othman
 Cortex-M Series
Microcontroller Processor
ARM Features:
• Low Power Consumption: Designed to operate efficiently in power-constrained environments.
• Simple Architecture: Implements ARMv6-M, ARMv7-M, and ARMv8-M architectures, with a
focus on ease of use and simplicity.
• Integrated Peripherals: Includes various integrated peripherals like GPIO, ADCs, and timers,
reducing the need for external components.
• Scalability: Ranges from the ultra-low-power Cortex-M0 and Cortex-M0+ to the higher
performance Cortex-M4 and Cortex-M7.

Applications:
• IoT Devices: Sensors, smart home devices, and wearables.
• Consumer Electronics: Toys, remote controls, and small appliances.
• Industrial Automation: Motor control, sensor interfaces, and data acquisition systems.

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• Medical Devices: Portable medical devices and health monitoring systems.

Dr Afzan Othman
 Cortex Profiles
Cortex-A Cortex-R Cortex-M
Profile Application Real-time Microcontroller
(Highest performance) (Fast response) (Smallest/lowest power)
Operating system Rich OS/RTOS Bare metal/RTOS
64-bit ARM ISA •
Instruction
set 32-bit ARM ISA • •
Thumb ISA • • •
Interrupts SW-managed Deterministic HW-managed
SW-managed
Pipeline length Long Long to medium Short
Cache memory • •
Market General-purpose Real-time signal Cost-sensitive

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computing processing & control microcontrollers
Mobile computing, Industrial MCU, IoT, smart sensors,
Applications smart phone, servers, storage controllers, mixed-signal devices,
high-end processors modems, networking automotive
Dr Afzan Othman
ARM Processors

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Dr Afzan Othman
Cortex-M Processor

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 Cortex-M Processor Family
• Cortex-M is more focused on the lower end of the performance scale BUT still quite
powerful when compared to others typical processor used in most microcontroller.

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Dr Afzan Othman
 Instruction Set of Cortex-M
Overview

• The Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) is a part of processor architecture, and Cortex-M
can be grouped in several architecture profile:

• All Cortex-M support architecture called Thumb.

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• Different Cortex-M support different set of instruction available in Thumb ISA.

Dr Afzan Othman
Instruction Set of Cortex-M
Overview

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Dr Afzan Othman
 Instruction Set of Cortex-M
Overview

• Historically, ARM Processor have supported two different instruction sets:

• ARM Instructions (32 bit) – improve processor execution performance
• Thumb Instructions (16 bit) – Higher code density
• The size of instruction signifies the number of bits required to store
machine code/opcode of that instruction.
• Thumb2 is superset of Thumb instruction set.
• Introduces 32-bit instructions that intermixed with 16-bit instructions
• Has execution performance close to ARM instructions
• Has code density performance close to Thumb instructions

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Dr Afzan Othman
 Instruction Set of Cortex-M
Overview

• In traditional ARM processor, processor can use ARM instruction for some operation
and Thumb instruction for others – BUT requires processor to change from ARM state

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to Thumb state
• No issues for Thumb2, since processor uses Thumb2 instruction for all operations.
Dr Afzan Othman
STM32

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 Cortex-M Series
STM32 Processor

• The STM32 family of microcontroller is based on the ARM Cortex-M and

developed by STMicroelectronics.
• STM32 widely used in various application due to:
• Scalability
• High performance
• Low power consumption
• STM32 family divided into several series depending on market needs:
• STM32F Series: General-purpose MCUs
• STM32L Series: Low-power MCUs
• STM32G Series: General-purpose with advanced peripherals
• STM32H Series: High-performance MCUs
• STM32WB Series: Wireless MCUs

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• STM32MP1 Series: Microprocessors with Cortex-A and Cortex-M cores
• STM32U Series: Ultra-low-power MCUs

Dr Afzan Othman
Cortex-M Series
STM32 Processor: Naming

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Dr Afzan Othman
 Cortex-M Series
STM32F: General Purpose

• Cores: Cortex-M0, Cortex-M3, Cortex-M4, Cortex-M7

• Features:
• High performance combined with affordability.
• Rich peripheral set, including ADCs, DACs, timers, and communication interfaces
like UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, and USB.
• Extensive memory options, from 16 KB to 2 MB of Flash memory.
• Support for real-time applications with RTOS (Real-Time Operating System)
capabilities.
• Some models include DSP (Digital Signal Processing) and FPU (Floating Point Unit)
for advanced computation.
• Applications:

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• Consumer electronics, industrial automation, motor control, and home appliances.

Dr Afzan Othman
 Cortex-M Series
STM32L: Ultra low power

• Cores: Cortex-M0+, Cortex-M3, Cortex-M4

• Features:
• Designed for ultra-low-power applications with multiple power-saving modes.
• Integrated features like LCD drivers, capacitive touch sensing, and advanced analog
peripherals.
• Energy-efficient with features like dynamic voltage scaling and adaptive real-time
clock.
• Applications:
• Battery-powered devices, wearable technology, medical devices, and energy-
efficient sensors.

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Dr Afzan Othman
 Cortex-M Series
STM32G: Advanced General Purpose

• Cores: Cortex-M4, Cortex-M7

• Features:
• Combines general-purpose capabilities with advanced peripherals.
• Enhanced performance with high-speed interfaces like QSPI, USB Type-C/PD, and
Ethernet.
• Includes hardware cryptography engines for security applications.
• Designed for real-time control and graphical user interfaces.
• Applications:
• Smart devices, consumer electronics, industrial control, and IoT applications.

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Dr Afzan Othman
 Cortex-M Series
STM32H: High performance

• Cores: Cortex-M7
• Features:
• High-performance processors with dual-core options (Cortex-M7 + Cortex-M4).
• Extensive memory options, including up to 2 MB of Flash and 1 MB of RAM.
• Advanced graphics support with Chrom-ART Accelerator and TFT LCD interfaces.
• High-speed peripherals, including multiple USB, Ethernet, and CAN interfaces.
• Suitable for applications requiring intensive computation, real-time control, and
multimedia processing.
• Applications:
• Advanced motor control, robotics, high-end consumer electronics, and industrial
automation.

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Dr Afzan Othman
 Cortex-M Series
STM32WB: Wireless Connectivity

• Cores: Cortex-M4, Cortex-M0+

• Features:
• Integrates wireless communication capabilities like Bluetooth 5.0 and IEEE
802.15.4.
• Dual-core architecture allows for dedicated processing of wireless protocols and
application tasks.
• Includes features for low-power operation, making it suitable for battery-powered
devices.
• Security features include hardware encryption, secure boot, and TrustZone.
• Applications:
• IoT devices, smart home applications, wearable technology, and wireless sensor

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networks.

Dr Afzan Othman
THANK YOU
univteknologimalaysia utm.my utmofficial

Dr Afzan Othman