Cortex-M0 vs Cortex-M3

Pandi June 27, 2013 2 min read

Here are some hints, difference between Cortex-M0 and Cortex-M3 . These are particularly aimed at someone trying to pick a ARM microcontroller to use for the first time at least partially as a learning experience, rather than someone who wants to accomplish a particular task.

Cortex-M0

Cortex-M3

The ARM Cortex-M0+ processor is the most energy efficient ARM processor available. It builds on the very successful Cortex-M0 processor, retaining full instruction set and tool compatibility, while further reducing energy consumption and increasing performance. Along with the Cortex-M0 processor, the exceptionally small silicon area, low power and minimal code footprint of these processors enable developers to achieve 32-bit performance at an 8-bit price point, bypassing the step to 16-bit devices. The Cortex-M0+ processor comes’ with a wide selection of options to provide flexible development.

The ARM Cortex-M3 processor is the industry-leading 32-bit processor for highly deterministic real-time applications, delivering robust computational performance, exceptional system response to events while meeting the challenges of low dynamic and static power constraints. It is highly configurable enabling a wide range of implementations from those requiring memory protection and powerful trace technology to cost sensitive devices requiring minimal area. A broad range of devices include microcontrollers, automotive body systems, industrial control systems and wireless networking and sensors.

ARM Cortex-M0+ Features

ISA Support	Thumb® / Thumb-2 subset
Pipeline	2 stage
Performance Efficiency	2.15 CoreMarks/MHz* – 0.93 to 1.08 DMIPS/MHz**
Memory Protection	Optional 8 region MPU with sub regions and background region
Interrupts	Non-maskable Interrupt (NMI) + 1 to 32 physical interrupts
Sleep Modes	Integrated WFI and WFE Instructions and Sleep On Exit capability Sleep & Deep Sleep Signals
Bit Manipulation	Bit banding
Enhanced Instructions	Hardware single-cycle (32×32) multiply option
Debug	Optional JTAG & Serial-Wire Debug Ports Up to 4 Breakpoints and 2 Watchpoints
Trace	Optional Micro Trace Buffer

ARM Cortex-M3+ Features

ISA Support	Thumb^® / Thumb-2
Pipeline	3-stage
Performance Efficiency	3.32 CoreMark/MHz* – 1.25 to 1.50 DMIPS/MHz**
Memory Protection	Optional 8 region MPU with sub regions and background region
Interrupts	Non-maskable Interrupt (NMI) + 1 to 240 physical interrupts
Interrupt Priority Levels	8 to 256 priority levels
Wake-up Interrupt Controller	Up to 240 Wake-up Interrupts
Sleep Modes	Integrated WFI and WFE Instructions and Sleep On Exit capability. Sleep & Deep Sleep Signals. Optional Retention Mode with ARM Power Management Kit
Bit Manipulation	Integrated Instructions & Bit Banding
Enhanced Instructions	Hardware Divide (2-12 Cycles), Single-Cycle (32×32) Multiply, Saturated Math Support.
Debug	Optional JTAG & Serial-Wire Debug Ports. Up to 8 Breakpoints and 4 Watchpoints.
Trace	Optional Instruction Trace (ETM), Data Trace (DWT), and Instrumentation Trace (ITM)