The Various Ways of Programming and Embedding Firmware Into An ARM Cortex-M3 Microcontroller Based Hardware

International Journal of Advance Foundation and Research in Computer (IJAFRC)
Volume 2, Issue 7, July - 2015. ISSN 2348 4853
The Various Ways of Programming and Embedding

Firmware into an ARM Cortex-M3 Microcontroller Based
Hardware
Prof. R. R. Karhe, Associate Professor*, Mr. R. B. Bhamare, PG student
E&TC Engineering Department, Shri Gulabrao Deokar College of Engineering, Jalgaon
ABSTRACT
This paper focuses on different programming method for development on ARM Cortex-M3 based
microcontroller. With C and C++ programming languages used by most developers, other
programming languages and method are also available for microcontroller programming. The
examples are scientific and mathematical tool like MATLAB and LabVIEW based development,
Pascal, Python and Forth. These methods enable beginners to start learning microcontroller
programming. Additionally, different techniques of embedding firmware into target
microcontroller are mentioned here. These techniques introduce important of bootloader in
embedded system development.
Index Terms: ARM Cortex-M3, Microcontroller programming, Programming languages, Firmware,
Bootloader
I.
INTRODUCTION
Microcontrollers are integrated in almost all electronic devices, home appliances and automotive
electronics devices etc. which are used in day-to-day life. Mostly microcontrollers are differentiated on
the basis of bus width i.e. 8-bit, 16-bit and 32-bit microcontroller. This paper is mainly focused on 32-bit
ARM Cortex-M3 processor based microcontrollers. The use of 32-bit microcontrollers in embedded
system by developers, hobbyist for their projects is increasing day by day. The reasons behind wide use
of 32-bit microcontrollers are problematic development procedures for 8-bit and 16-bit
microcontrollers. The ARM Cortex-M3 architecture provides advantages like, desktop computer
programming language being used for development with ARM microcontrollers. Also, ARM
microcontrollers supports wide variety of development suites, integrated development environments
(IDEs).The wider use and support for ARM processors in the microcontroller industry provides an
opportunity for many programming tool companies to create variety of application development
environments (ADEs). This paper discusses the various ways of programming ARM Cortex-M3
microcontroller and design support from scientific and mathematical applications for the same. Table 1
shows the simple comparison between several microcontroller architectures (8-bit, 16-bit and 32-bit) of
the same package and roughly the same price.
Table 1. Comparison of different microcontroller architectures
Manufacturer
MCU
Package
Architecture
Flash
(KB)
RAM
(KB)
Clock
(MHz)
Atmel
ATXMEGA12
8A1-AU
P89LPC916F
DH
QFP-100
AVR XMEGA
(8-bit)
LPC900
(8-bit)
128
32
Approx.
price
(Rs.)
923
256
Bytes
18
151
128
294
128
16
1016
NXP
ON
SEMICONDUC
TOR
TI
LC87F6AC8A
LU-EJ-H
MSP430FR69
TSSOP-16
PQFP-100 LC87F6AC8Axx
/ QIP(8-bit)
100E
LQFP100 MSP430FR69xx
28 | 2015, IJAFRC All Rights Reserved
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ON
SEMICONDUC
TOR
Microchip
NXP
Microchip
STMICROELEC
TRONICS
89
LC88FC2H0A
VUTE-2H
TQFP100
DSPIC33FJ25
6MC710-I/PF
TQFP100
LPC1768FBD
100
PIC32MX340
F128L80I/PT
LQFP-100
TQFP100
LQFP-100
STM32F103V
BT6
(16-bit)
LC88FC2H0Axx
xx
(16-bit)
dsPIC33F
Series (16-bit)
ARM CortexM3 (32-bit)
PIC32
(32-bit)
ARM CortexM3
(32-bit)
512
24
12
281
256
30
40
861
512
64
100
972
128
32
80
602
128
20
72
540
Besides program development, embedding the required program or developed firmware in

microcontroller on target hardware is also an important step in embedded system development.
II. PROGRAMMING ARM CORTEX-M3 MICROCONTROLLER
Cortex-M3 targets, in particular, embedded systems requiring significant resources (32-bit), with the
reduced costs (production, development and consumption) [2]. One of the big advantages of using a
Cortex-M processor is that it has wide development tool support [3] [8]. The Cortex-M3 can be
programmed using either assembly language, C language, or other high-level languages [1].
Programming languages are the medium of expression in the art of computer programming. It is a formal
constructed language designed to communicate instructions to a machine, particularly a computer. Such
instructions can be executed directly when they are in the computer manufacturer-specific numerical
form known as machine language. It includes the numeric codes for the operations that a
particular computer can execute directly. Programming languages can be used to create programs to
control the behavior of a machine or to express algorithms. There is no shortage alternative to
programming languages.
The program that runs an embedded system is referred to as firmware. This program can be mainly
referred to as being a fixed (is stored in flash or read only memory), rather small program that controls
hardware in a system. Firmware is generally responsible for very basic low-level operations without
which a device would be completely non-functional [2]. The various programming languages are
available for development of program or essential firmware for Cortex-M3 based embedded systems as
follows. Many development tool chains are available for ARM microcontrollers. The majority of them
support C and assembly language [3]. The fig. 1 shows development process [5] for ARM microcontrollers
using assembly and c language. Besides this, there are other ways to develope applications for
Cortex-M3 microcontrollers. The
methods are by using the National Instruments LabVIEW and
Mathworks MATLAB/Simulink graphical development environment.
A. LabVIEW
It is an acronym for Laboratory Virtual Instrument Engineering Workbench. It is a system-design
platform and development environment for a graphical programming language from National
Instruments [ ]. It supports all the features of programming languages e.g. programming language such
as looping, conditional execution, and the handling of different data types etc. It uses dataflow
programming language referred to as G. This method offers advantages like ease of use; as no need to
learn hardware and software in detail, large mathematical and signal processing libraries for easy
algorithm development, user community and internet forums.
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Fig 1. Development process for ARM microcontrollers using assembly and C language [1] [5].
B. MATLAB/Simulink
MATLAB is a mathematical computation tool for text based programming and Simulink provides
graphical programming environment for development of computations block diagram. There are 3
coders available; MATLAB, Simulink, Embedded coder. MATLAB coder generates standalone C and C++
code from MATLAB code [7], Simulink coder generates and executes C and C++ code from
Simulink diagrams, Stateflow charts, and MATLAB functions [7], Embedded Coder generates readable,
compact, and fast C and C++ code for use on embedded processors, on-target rapid prototyping boards,
and microprocessors used in mass production [7]. The fig. 2 shows development process with
MATLAB/Simulink.
Fig. 2 ARM Cortex-M3 based microcotroller software development process using MATLAB/Simulink
There are other programming languages with which ARM Cortex-M3 processor-based microcontroller
can be programmed. Those are discussed as follows.
C. Pascal
Pascal is a popular programming language that encapsulates strong data types, very nice syntax, and has
probably the best balance between simplicity and control. It has intuitive IDE with docking support, rich
with features, advanced text editor, many available tools, libraries and examples. The mikroPascal PRO
for ARM is a full-featured Pascal compiler for ARM Cortex-M0, Cortex-M3 and Cortex-M4 devices [7] [9].
This compiler offers low cost solution, free life time license and technical support with easy up gradation.
D. Python
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Python is a widely used general-purpose, high-level programming language. It has efficient high-level
data structures and a simple but effective approach to object-oriented programming. The Python
interpreter is easily extended with new functions and data types implemented in C or C++. The python is
used to program ARM Cortex-M3 by "p14p" project i.e. Python-on-a-chip (fourteen characters between
the first and last "p". Python-on-a-Chip (p14p) is a project to develop a reduced Python virtual machine
(codenamed PyMite) that runs a significant subset of the Python language on microcontrollers without an
operating system (OS) [7] [10].
E. Forth
Forth is a computer programming language and programming environment. It is a computer language
originally designed for embedded and real-time applications. MPE forth provides lite and stamp
compilers for ARM Cortex-M3 based microcontroller developments. Lite compilers are for windows only,
it is free of charge and are for non-commercial use only. The ARM/Cortex-Mx Stamp compiler is codelimited to 128kb, RAM-limited to 32kb, and target device drivers are supplied for NXP LPC21xx and
LPC17xx devices only [7] [11].
III. EMBEDDING THE FIRMWARE INTO THE TARGET HARDWARE
The integration of hardware and firmware deals with the embedding of firmware into the target
hardware board [7]. A variety of techniques are used for this process. The commonly used firmware
embedding techniques are discussed below, with these techniques the firmware is either stored in on
chip or off chip controller memory.
A. In System Programming (ISP)
It can also be called as within the system programming. In this technique, the firmware is embedded
into the ISP supported target microcontroller without removing it from target system (hardware). It is
the most popular and convenient method of programming microcontroller. As it doesnt need extra
utilities like external hardware, cables; it is considered as cost effective solution. Mostly this process is
carried out with USB port of target hardware and PC. The protocols used for ISP are joint test action
group (JTAG) or serial peripheral interface (SPI) or any other proprietary protocol [6]. The ISP is carried
out by defining a specific boot sequence for the target microcontroller, which in turn boots specific
application code from specified memory space. Once reset has occurred the device is re-configured with
new codes and then it will operate normally. The ISP technique is implemented in the form of bootloader, with USB mass storage class (UMSC) it allows the hardware to behave as USB flash drive on
computers. This method is widely used in high-end embedded systems for easy infield firmware changes.
B. Out-of-System Programming (OSP)
It can also be called as outside the system programming. In this technique, the target microcontroller
or memory IC in which firmware needs to be embedded is taken out from the target hardware system
and then it is programmed with programmer device.
Fig. 3 Use of programmer to program microcotnroller

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The programmer is a specialized device that used to program microcontrollers. Some programmers are
called as universal programmer, since they can program or generate programming signals for different
microcontrollers. The fig. 3 shows use of programmer to program microcontroller. The major
disadvantage of this technique is high development time. Since, every time microcontroller needs to be
taken out of the hardware the whole process of re-programming, firmware up gradation becomes
tedious. Also, most programmers are designed to program one chip at a time, hence mass production is
difficult. It is mostly used in lower end embedded systems like hobby projects, lab experiments etc.
C. In Application Programming (IAP)
This techniques is much different than ISP and OSP. When it is necessary to modify selected portion of
microcontroller memory, IAP is used. This method modifies selected memory content under the control
of embedded application [6]. In some methods where, bootloader technique is used to modify system
firmware, ISP and IAP works in a chain (executes one after another).
D. Other techniques
Many embedded system comes with factory programmed chips. In these chips firmware is embedded at
the time chip manufacturing itself [6]. This is the best of mass production which reduces the time and
cost. As once programmed, firmware of these chip cannot change, hence this technique is not preferred
for development purpose, where firmware up gradation is necessary. This type of technique is used in
electronic toys, handheld games etc.
IV. CONCLUSION & FUTURE SCOPE
The use of ARM Cortex-M3 based microcontroller offers wide development platforms, programming
environments in addition to efficiency, high level documentation and technical support. Some of the
programming method discussed in this paper is targeted to hobbyists, students, beginners. The rapid and
wide change with increasing variety of development platforms shows that software development is no
longer limited to traditional methods. In additional to development the important task of embedding the
firmware into the target hardware became easy with the use of ISP technique. For student, hobbyist and
beginner developers Out-of-the system programming is also beneficiary. In future a hardware platform
can be developed working on techniques mentioned in this paper, which will allow easy and infield
firmware changes.
V. REFERENCES
[1] Joseph Yiu (foreword by Paul Kimelman), The Definitive Guide to the ARM Cortex-M3, Newnes
(Imprint of Elsevier Inc.), USA, Second edition, 2010.

[2] Trevor Martin, The Designers Guide to the Cortex-M Processor Family, A Tutorial Approach, ,
Newnes (Imprint of Elsevier Inc.), USA, First edition, 2013.

[3] Vincent Mahout, Assembly language programming ARM Cortex-M3, First edition, ISTE Ltd. & John
Wiley and sons Inc., 2012.

[4] James T. Streib, Guide to Assembly Language: A Concise Introduction, Springer, 2011.
[5] Joseph Yiu, The Definitive Guide to the ARM Cortex-M0, Newnes (Imprint of Elsevier Inc.), USA, First
edition, 2011.
[6] Shibu K V, Introduction to Embedded Systems, Tata McGraw-Hill, India, First edition, 2009.
www.ijafrc.org

[7] Joseph Yiu, Ian Johnson, The Many Ways of Programming an ARM Cortex-M Microcontroller, White
paper ARM, March 2013.

[8] Shyam Sadasivam, An introduction to the ARM Cortex-M3 processor, White paper ARM, October
2006.
[9] www.mikroe.com/mikropascal/arm
[10] http://code.google.com/p/python-on-a-chip/
[11] http://www.mpeforth.com/xc7.htm
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International Journal of Advance Foundation and Research in Computer (IJAFRC)

Volume 2, Issue 7, July - 2015. ISSN 2348 4853