Armv8-M Architecture Fundamentals

Armv8-M Architecture Fundamentals

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

Instructors: Shirley Zou

6,952 already enrolled

Included with Learn more

Ask Coursera

6 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Intermediate level

Some related experience required

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

6 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Intermediate level

Some related experience required

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Describe the programming model (register set, modes and states of the processor).
Describe standards and APIs that support the architecture.
Interpret and program in assembly language.
Target applications at the default system memory.

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

5 assignments

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

Build your subject-matter expertise

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.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 6 modules in this course

The course includes fundamental architecture topics that are key to understanding how any Cortex-M processor functions internally. The course focuses specifically on the Armv8-M version of the Arm Architecture, which processors like the Cortex-M33 and Cortex-M55 are based on. However, even if you're working with older processors based on earlier versions of the architecture, like Armv6-M or Armv7-M, a lot of the information is mostly still very relevant and useful.

What's included

1 video

This module is an essential foundation module for any Armv8-M Mainline implementation training course. It introduces the programmers model for the Armv8-M architecture.

What's included

16 videos6 readings1 assignment

16 videosTotal 96 minutes

A Brief History of M-Profile Architecture5 minutes
Armv8-M Profile Overview - Part 16 minutes
Armv8-M Profile Overview - Part 26 minutes
Data Types2 minutes
Core Registers: Armv8-M Mainline Registers7 minutes
Core Registers: Stack Pointer, Link Register and Program Counter9 minutes
Special-purpose registers part 1 6 minutes
Special-purpose registers part 2 6 minutes
Modes, Privilege and Stacks7 minutes
Exceptions3 minutes
Instruction Set Overview - Part 16 minutes
Instruction Set Overview - Part 25 minutes
Instruction Set Examples 9 minutes
Programming Standards8 minutes
Programming Standards: CMSIS - Part 15 minutes
Programming Standards: CMSIS - Part 26 minutes

6 readingsTotal 142 minutes

Programmers' Model Resources List2 minutes
Challenge: Architecture Rules10 minutes
Challenge: Programmers' Model Challenge: M-profile Architecture Implementations30 minutes
Challenge: Create a basic Cortex-M application with CMSIS60 minutes
Challenge: Familiarize yourself with CMSIS30 minutes
Download Course Slides10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Programmers' Model30 minutes

This module is an essential foundation module for any Armv8-M Mainline implementation course. It introduces the syntax and functionality of the assembly instructions used on all Armv8-M processors, which is crucial for configuration and debugging.

What's included

22 videos2 readings1 assignment

22 videosTotal 111 minutes

Introduction to Assembly Programming - Part 14 minutes
Introduction to Assembly Programming - Part 25 minutes
Introduction to Assembly Programming - Part 36 minutes
Introduction to Assembly Programming Quiz4 minutes
Data Processing Instructions - Part 16 minutes
Data Processing Instructions - Part 23 minutes
Shift and Rotate Operations, Flexible Second Operand7 minutes
Loading Constants into Registers3 minutes
Multiply, Divide, and Bit Manipulation Instructions6 minutes
Data Processing Instructions Quiz3 minutes
Load/Store Instructions - Part 14 minutes
Load/Store Instructions - Part 28 minutes
Load/Store Instructions - Part 34 minutes
Load/Store Instructions Quiz4 minutes
Flow Control Instructions - Part 15 minutes
Flow Control Instructions - Part 25 minutes
Flow Control Instructions Quiz8 minutes
Miscellaneous Instructions - Part 17 minutes
Miscellaneous Instructions - Part 27 minutes
Miscellaneous Instructions Quiz4 minutes
Arm Custom Instructions - Part 13 minutes
Arm Custom Instructions - Part 25 minutes

2 readingsTotal 20 minutes

Assembly programming challenge10 minutes
Download Course Slides10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Assembly Programming30 minutes

This module is an essential foundation module for any Armv8-M Mainline implementation training course. It introduces the memory model for the Armv8-M architecture.

What's included

11 videos2 readings1 assignment

11 videosTotal 51 minutes

Memory Address Space - Part 16 minutes
Memory Address Space - Part 23 minutes
Memory Types1 minute
Normal Memory - Part 16 minutes
Normal Memory - Part 26 minutes
Device Memory - Part 15 minutes
Device Memory - Part 26 minutes
Address Map2 minutes
Endianness3 minutes
Barriers7 minutes
Barriers Examples6 minutes

2 readingsTotal 20 minutes

Armv8-M Mainline Memory Model Reference Material10 minutes
Download Course Slides10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Memory Model30 minutes

This is an optional module with the following learning objectives of describing the need for a Memory Protection Unit (MPU), understanding how the Armv8-M MPU differs to previous Armv7-M and Arm6-M MPUs, describing the different memory-mapped MPU registers, Configuring memory regions by programming the MPU registers, explaining how to optimise MPU programming.

What's included

8 videos1 reading1 assignment

8 videosTotal 35 minutes

Memory Protection Introduction4 minutes
Memory Protection Unit (MPU)5 minutes
Memory Regions4 minutes
MPU Registers - Part 15 minutes
MPU Registers - Part 25 minutes
MPU Configuration and Programming4 minutes
Demo5 minutes
Memory Management Fault Handling2 minutes

1 readingTotal 10 minutes

Download Course Slides10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Memory Protection30 minutes

This module is an essential foundation module for any Armv8-M Mainline implementation training course. It introduces the Exception Handling model for the Armv8-M architecture.

What's included

36 videos2 readings1 assignment

36 videosTotal 161 minutes

Introduction to Exception Handling - Part 16 minutes
Introduction to Exception Handling - Part 28 minutes
Exception Types3 minutes
Processor Mode Usage8 minutes
External Interrupts & Pre-emption3 minutes
Exception Handling Example3 minutes
Exception Model & Properties3 minutes
Vector Table for Armv8-M Mainline8 minutes
Reset & Exception Behavior2 minutes
Exception Priorities5 minutes
Exception States3 minutes
Exception Entry Behavior - Part 18 minutes
Exception Entry Behavior - Part 24 minutes
Stacking on Exception Entry - Part 15 minutes
Stacking on Exception Entry - Part 24 minutes
Exception Return Behavior5 minutes
NMI Exception Entry and Return Examples3 minutes
Nesting, Tail Chaining and Late-arriving Examples6 minutes
Execution Priority & Priority Boosting8 minutes
New Armv8-M Mainline Priority Grouping8 minutes
Interrupt Control and Status Bits7 minutes
Interrupt Sensitivity2 minutes
Pulse-sensitive Interrupts4 minutes
Level-sensitive Interrupts & Pending the Interrupt Again5 minutes
CMSIS-Core: Vector Table4 minutes
Writing Interrupt Handlers5 minutes
Interrupt Management2 minutes
Internal Exceptions - Part 15 minutes
Internal Exceptions - Part 27 minutes
Priority Escalation & Internal Interrupt Registers2 minutes
Fault Exceptions3 minutes
Fault Escalation & Fault Handling4 minutes
The Lockup State4 minutes
Synchronous and Asynchronous Exceptions4 minutes
References2 minutes
Congratulations0 minutes

2 readingsTotal 20 minutes

Armv8-M Mainline Exception Handling Reference Material10 minutes
Download Course Slides10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Exception Handling30 minutes

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructors

Shirley Zou

Arm

4 Courses14,546 learners

Nick Tompkins

Arm

5 Courses14,550 learners

Yang Song

Arm

2 Courses8,384 learners

Offered by

Arm

Explore more from Software Development

Status: Preview
Arm
Computer Architecture Essentials on Arm
Course
Status: Free Trial
Arm
Advanced Armv8-M Features
Course
Status: Free Trial
Arm
Arm Cortex-M Processors Overview
Course
Status: Free Trial
Arm
Cortex-M Software Development Fundamentals
Course

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Learner since 2018

"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."

Jennifer J.

Learner since 2020

"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."

Larry W.

Learner since 2021

"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."

Chaitanya A.

"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Unlock access to 10,000+ courses with a subscription
Advance your career with an online degree
Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online
Join over 4,700 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Frequently asked questions

To access course materials, assignments, and earn a Certificate, you'll need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. Eligible learners may also have the option to start with a Free Trial. Some courses may also offer a Full Course, No Certificate option. This lets you access course materials, submit required assessments, and receive a final grade, but you won't be able to earn or purchase a Certificate.

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.