4 ms·

There is no 16bit AVR. Cortex-M3 runs circles around any 8-bit parts in most settings - single cycle instructions, hardware multiply and divide, 32bit register

There is no 16bit AVR. Cortex-M3 runs circles around any 8-bit parts in most settings - single cycle instructions, hardware multiply and divide, 32bit registers, good interrupt processing support. There are even power efficient parts (Energy Micro EFM32, STM32L, etc). The other nice part about CM3 is the family support: Its one compiler toolchain and one debugger toolchain. With CMSIS (a software library standard) its "easy" (if you don't use a specific peripheral in a specific way) to move code across vendors as well. PIC24 is a good half step, but the proprietary toolchains are a major turn off. PIC32 is at least a MIPS core (with some vague gesturing on Microchip's part for their GCC port - good luck actually building their horrible code dump though), but doesn't appear to be energy-use competitive with CM3 or CM0.

dkersten 15y ago
Do you have a recommendation for a specific CM based microcontroller? Preferably one that is well stocked on mouser and has USB support. Also, any tips on getting started? How do I program them? Ideally, I'd get an in circuit programmer, rather than a development/demo board.
- flashingleds 15y ago
  The LPC1768 is quite popular and you should never have problems with stock. I got started with a $30 development board from NGX (google "1768 blueboard") paired with a $30 USB jtag programmer from the same store. The older LPC2148 was also quite popular for hobbyists, but it's ARM7 not CM3. Since I was more interested in learning the micro then screwing around with toolchains, I just spent the money and got a personal license for Rowley Crossworks ($150). It took me under an hour to go from software installation to flashing an LED, so I'm pretty happy with that decision.