1.1 Introduction

Features of the Arm Cortex-M4F processor include:

• 32-bit Cortex-M4F architecture optimized for small-footprint embedded applications
• 120-MHz operation, 150-DMIPS performance
• Outstanding processing performance combined with fast interrupt handling
• Thumb®-2 mixed 16- and 32-bit instruction set delivers the high performance expected of a 32-bit Arm core in a compact memory size usually associated with 8- and 16-bit devices, typically in the range of a few kilobytes of memory for microcontroller-class applications.
  • Single-cycle multiply instruction and hardware divide
  • Atomic bit manipulation (bit-banding), delivering maximum memory use and streamlined peripheral control
  • Unaligned data access, enabling data to be efficiently packed into memory
• IEEE 754-compliant single-precision Floating-Point Unit (FPU)
• 16-bit SIMD vector processing unit
• Fast code execution permits slower processor clock or increases sleep mode time.
• Harvard architecture characterized by separate buses for instruction and data
• Efficient processor core, system and memories
• Hardware division and fast digital-signal-processing orientated multiply accumulate
• Saturating arithmetic for signal processing
• Deterministic, high-performance interrupt handling for time-critical applications
• Memory protection unit (MPU) to provide a privileged mode for protected operating system functionality
• Enhanced system debug with extensive breakpoint and trace capabilities
• Serial Wire Debug and Serial Wire Trace reduce the number of pins required for debugging and tracing
• Migration from the Arm7™ processor family for better performance and power efficiency
• Optimized for single-cycle flash memory use up to specific frequencies; see Section 7 for more information.
• Ultra-low power consumption with integrated sleep modes

The MSP432E4 microcontrollers build on this core to bring high-performance 32-bit computing to cost-conscious applications requiring significant control processing and connectivity capabilities such as:

• Low-power hand-held smart devices
• Gaming equipment
• Network appliances and switches
• Home and commercial site monitoring and control
• Electronic point-of-sale (POS) machines
• Motion control
• Medical instrumentation
• Remote connectivity and monitoring
• Test and measurement equipment
• Factory automation
• Fire and security
• Smart energy and smart grid solutions
• Intelligent lighting control
• Transportation

This chapter provides information on the MSP432E4 implementation of the Cortex-M4F processor, including the programming model, the memory model, the exception model, fault handling, and power management.

For technical details on the instruction set, see the Cortex-M4 instruction set chapter in the Arm Cortex-M4 Devices Generic User Guide.