Cortex-M Software Development Fundamentals

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Cortex-M Software Development Fundamentals

This course is part of Arm Cortex-M Architecture and Software Development Specialization

Instructors: Uma Maheswari Ramalingam

4,864 already enrolled

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5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

35 reviews

Intermediate level

Some related experience required

9 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

35 reviews

Intermediate level

Some related experience required

9 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Compile and link Cortex-M applications using mandatory, recommended and commonly-used switches.
Debug and trace a Cortex-M application running on a Cortex-M device.
Boot and initialize a Cortex-M system using standard programming techniques.

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

4 assignments

Taught in English

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This course is part of the Arm Cortex-M Architecture and Software Development Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

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Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
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There are 5 modules in this course

This course delves into software development topics such as working with Arm C/C++ compilers and Arm debug tools to optimize your software, whether it's for performance or code size. This course also looks more closely at the Common Microcontroller Software Interface Standard and how it helps ensure that software targeted at Cortex-M devices can be written using a consistent approach.This module describes the essential compiler and linker options required in order to develop applications targeted at different Arm embedded systems. The presentation includes information about Arm Compiler for Embedded and the GNU toolchain.

What's included

1 video

What's included

19 videos8 readings1 assignment

19 videos Total 84 minutes

Building a Project 4 minutes
Compiler Support for Arm Architecture & Functional Safety 4 minutes
Introduction to Arm Compiler 5 minutes
Language Support & Variable Types 4 minutes
C++ Support 3 minutes
Procedure Call Standard for the Arm Architecture (AAPCS) 7 minutes
Parameter Passing - Part 1 6 minutes
Parameter Passing - Part 2 5 minutes
Optimization Level & Algorithms 7 minutes
Selecting a Target 2 minutes
Mixing C/C++ with Assembly - Part 1 6 minutes
Mixing C/C++ with Assembly - Part 2 4 minutes
Linker and Optimization 7 minutes
Targeting your System's Memory Map 3 minutes
Scatter-loading 4 minutes
Libraries 4 minutes
Linker Diagnostics 2 minutes
Arm Compiler Troubleshooting 2 minutes
GNU Toolchain & Arm Compiler 5 (Appendix) 6 minutes

8 readings Total 80 minutes

Compiler & Linker Fundamentals Reference Material 10 minutes
Challenge: inlining a function 10 minutes
Answer: inlining a function 10 minutes
Challenge: fixing infinite loops 10 minutes
Answer: fixing infinite loops 10 minutes
Challenge: fixing inline assembly 10 minutes
Answer: fixing inline assembly 10 minutes
Download Course Slides 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Compiler & Linker Fundamentals 30 minutes

This module describes the debug and trace features available in the Armv8-M Mainline architecture.

What's included

10 videos1 reading1 assignment

10 videos Total 39 minutes

Introduction to Armv8-M Debug & Trace 8 minutes
Debugging with Breakpoints, Watchpoints, Semihosting & Vector Catch 9 minutes
Introduction to Trace 2 minutes
Micro Trace Buffer 1 minute
Instrumentation Trace Macrocell 5 minutes
DWT Trace Capture 2 minutes
Embedded Trace Macrocell 4 minutes
Trace Port Interface Unit 1 minute
Trace Port and Bandwidth, Trace Clock Considerations 2 minutes
Profiling 4 minutes

1 reading Total 10 minutes

Download Course Slides 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Armv8-M Debug 30 minutes

The Booting and Initialization module takes you through essential startup code that can ensure that the processor and system are configured and initialised appropriately before the 'main' function is reached in the C program.

What's included

19 videos1 reading1 assignment

19 videos Total 90 minutes

Introduction: Embedded Development Process 8 minutes
Default Startup and Initialization Sequence 6 minutes
Default Memory Map 3 minutes
Default Linker Placement Rules 3 minutes
C Libraries 6 minutes
Reset and Initialization 2 minutes
Possible Initialization Sequence 2 minutes
CMSIS Startup and Initialization 4 minutes
CMSIS-Core Startup & System Initialization Files 7 minutes
Post Startup Initialization 6 minutes
Writing Memory Description Files - Part 1 5 minutes
Writing Memory Description Files - Part 2 3 minutes
Placing the Stacks and Heap 6 minutes
Accessing Memory-mapped Registers 4 minutes
Ordering Objects in a Scatter File 5 minutes
Root Regions 3 minutes
MPU Initialization 3 minutes
Retargeting C Library 7 minutes
Building an Image Ready for Booting 7 minutes

1 reading Total 10 minutes

Download Course Slides 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Booting & initialization 30 minutes

This module introduces Tarmac trace from Fast Models, and uses that to walk through everything a Cortex-M3 device would do if used with CMSIS code from Reset to the main() function, to triggering an interrupt using the NVIC. Although the module is related to a Cortex-M3 device, the details presented also apply to any Armv7-M / Armv8-M device, acting as a recap of all the content covered in this M-profile course.

What's included

11 videos4 readings1 assignment

11 videos Total 55 minutes

What is Tarmac Trace 4 minutes
Tarmac Trace Example 9 minutes
Tarmac Trace Quiz 2 minutes
Startup 1 minute
Step 0: Reset 8 minutes
Reset Handler 6 minutes
Step 1: __main() and Scatter-loading 5 minutes
Step 2: Application Code in main() 9 minutes
Exception Handling 8 minutes
Recap 4 minutes
Congratulations 0 minutes

4 readings Total 60 minutes

Cortex-M3 Walkthrough Recap 10 minutes
Tarmac Trace for Fast Models 10 minutes
Cortex-M Walkthrough Challenge 30 minutes
Download Course Slides 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Armv8-M Architecture and Software Development Fundamentals Assessment 30 minutes

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Instructors

Instructor ratings

(12 ratings)

Uma Maheswari Ramalingam

Arm

3 Courses 12,389 learners

Shirley Zou

Arm

4 Courses 13,651 learners

Offered by

Arm

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Frequently asked questions

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.