A Call To ARMs
By William Wong, Embedded /Software /Systems Technology Editor
Looking for a microcontroller? If ARM's partners have their way, it will probably have an ARM processor at the core. Once the darling of low-power, custom controllers, the ARM architecture is quickly moving into standard product lines. Standard ARM-based parts are available from a large number of vendors, including Atmel, Oki Semiconductor, Philips, Sanyo, and Sharp.
This trend is due to a number of factors. First, hardware costs continue to fall and transistor counts continue to rise, making it practical to include a 32-bit processor core. Second, ARM cores have achieved a level of popularity among developers and designers. This has created a supply of experienced ARM programmers. Finally, the ARM core is being combined with peripherals common to 8- and 16-bit microcontrollers that developers are already familiar with.
The ARM microcontrollers are targeting all segments of the spectrum, from small, low-power devices to high-performance designs. At the low end, the target is the venerable 8051. It has an architecture that is efficient in small applications but cumbersome for larger applications that the 32-bit ARM excels in. This wide range of solutions means that upward growth is possible with minimal rework.
Software, the other part of the puzzle, is coming together as well. ARM's own software tools are rather expensive. This is not a problem when spending lots of money to license an ARM core but a major impediment when purchasing a few thousand standard chips. Luckily, alternatives to ARM's extensive tool suite are showing up.
Software tool vendors like Keil are supplying low-cost tools comparable to 8051 tools. Microcontroller vendors are also bundling low-cost toolkits and demo boards. Most tools are specific to a vendor's product line, but core code is easily transferable. The language of choice is C/C++, of course.
There is more to come. Hardware-based Java acceleration will be showing up in more standard parts this year. Either way, ARM parts may be in your future.
Contact William Wong at: mailto:bwong@penton.com
This came to me in an E-letter from Electronics Design
Jim |
