advice on arm cortex-m embedded hardware

Question

hello,

I would like to start programming arm cortex-m microcontrollers. the problem I am currently facing is that there is a sea of development boards or prototyping boards with cortex m3 or m4.

preferably,

I would like the option to program in just C, instead of relying on Arduino libraries for example
I would like the option of USB HID and USB host
I would like the the microcontroller to be cortex-m4

Can someone recommend small development boards?

update:

by program in C, I meant to say, I would like to use a Linux distribution and use a gnu arm tool-chain/library/compiler to compile, debug, ...etc. I don't want to switch IDEs, and I would like not to rely on Arduino libraries.
And I would like the board to be small in size (arduino nano, micro, teensy form factors)
It would be easier for me to get a small teensy or an mbed board or an atmel development board(unless element14 has international shipping at a reasonable price?), if there is an option to program in entirely in C.

Message was edited by: Amr Rahmy

bovrchevr · Answer

The new Teensy 3.5 and 3.6 seem to be pretty good from a hardware point of view, and are fairly cheap. However, a platform such as the Mbed has a much larger support and resource base behind it.

kas.lewis · Answer

TI has their boards with very good support and an IDE that is ready to use CCS. The boards can be found here. There are some under each category (MSP432, CC3200-LAUNCHXL , Tiva C Boards, etc. I hope that helps. Quick and easy to use with LOTS of demo code. Kas

gihu · Answer

Hi, ST has several nice discovery board for different arm cortex m. There are several IDE that you can use, even I think that now true studio from atollic is free. Cypress has the CY8CKIT-059 CY8CKIT-059 is M3(not M4 but Cypress has the Psoc creator a powerfull software for their silicon and you do not really need to worry much about the internal architecture of the core Some other boards exits, but these ones are the ones I personally like. Hope that helps,

gihu · Answer

If you google it you will find many topics talking about not using linux distributions on cortex M devices, because the lack of MMU (cortex M devices has MPU). For cortex devices It is suppose to work uCLinux, for linux distributions try using boards like raspberry or beaglebone. Maybe raspberry Pi zero is fine for your purposes

rsjsouza · Answer

I am very familiar with the TI development kits and its free development environment and software dev kits (SDK). They have some cheaper basic boards going up to the ones with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth - they all are called Launchpad . From time to time they have some promotions with either free shipping or discounts.

advice on arm cortex-m embedded hardware

Top Replies