ARM® Cortex® M4 Cookbook

by Dr. Mark Fisher

Released March 2016

Publisher(s): Packt Publishing

ISBN: 9781782176503

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Book description

Over 50 hands-on recipes that will help you develop amazing real-time applications using GPIO, RS232, ADC, DAC, timers, audio codecs, graphics LCD, and a touch screen

About This Book

This book focuses on programming embedded systems using a practical approach
Examples show how to use bitmapped graphics and manipulate digital audio to produce amazing games and other multimedia applications
The recipes in this book are written using ARM's MDK Microcontroller Development Kit which is the most comprehensive and accessible development solution

Who This Book Is For

This book is aimed at those with an interest in designing and programming embedded systems. These could include electrical engineers or computer programmers who want to get started with microcontroller applications using the ARM Cortex-M4 architecture in a short time frame. The book's recipes can also be used to support students learning embedded programming for the first time. Basic knowledge of programming using a high level language is essential but those familiar with other high level languages such as Python or Java should not have too much difficulty picking up the basics of embedded C programming.

What You Will Learn

Use ARM's uVision MDK to configure the microcontroller run time environment (RTE), create projects and compile download and run simple programs on an evaluation board.
Use and extend device family packs to configure I/O peripherals.
Develop multimedia applications using the touchscreen and audio codec beep generator.
Configure the codec to stream digital audio and design digital filters to create amazing audio effects.
Write multi-threaded programs using ARM's real time operating system (RTOS).
Write critical sections of code in assembly language and integrate these with functions written in C.
Fix problems using ARM's debugging tool to set breakpoints and examine variables.
Port uVision projects to other open source development environments.

In Detail

Embedded microcontrollers are at the core of many everyday electronic devices. Electronic automotive systems rely on these devices for engine management, anti-lock brakes, in car entertainment, automatic transmission, active suspension, satellite navigation, etc. The so-called internet of things drives the market for such technology, so much so that embedded cores now represent 90% of all processor's sold. The ARM Cortex-M4 is one of the most powerful microcontrollers on the market and includes a floating point unit (FPU) which enables it to address applications.

The ARM Cortex-M4 Microcontroller Cookbook provides a practical introduction to programming an embedded microcontroller architecture. This book attempts to address this through a series of recipes that develop embedded applications targeting the ARM-Cortex M4 device family. The recipes in this book have all been tested using the Keil MCBSTM32F400 board. This board includes a small graphic LCD touchscreen (320x240 pixels) that can be used to create a variety of 2D gaming applications. These motivate a younger audience and are used throughout the book to illustrate particular hardware peripherals and software concepts.

C language is used predominantly throughout but one chapter is devoted to recipes involving assembly language. Programs are mostly written using ARM's free microcontroller development kit (MDK) but for those looking for open source development environments the book also shows how to configure the ARM-GNU toolchain. Some of the recipes described in the book are the basis for laboratories and assignments undertaken by undergraduates.

Style and approach

The ARM Cortex-M4 Cookbook is a practical guide full of hands-on recipes. It follows a step-by-step approach that allows you to find, utilize and learn ARM concepts quickly.