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Armv8-M Architecture Fundamentals

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Armv8-M Architecture Fundamentals

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

Instructors: Shirley Zou

6,675 already enrolled

Included with

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6 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

51 reviews

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.

51 reviews

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

91%

of learners achieved a positive career outcome

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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.

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.

Module details

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.