It is becoming important for microcontroller users to quickly learn and adapt to new technologies and architecture used in high performance 32-bit microcontrollers. Many manufacturers now offer 32-bit microcontrollers as general purpose processors in embedded applications.

ARM provide 32 and 64-bit processors mainly for embedded applications. These days, the majority of mobile devices including mobile phones, tablets, and GPS receivers are based on ARM technology. The low cost, low power consumption, and high performance of ARM processors makes them ideal for use in complex communication and mixed signal applications.

This book makes use of the ARM Cortex-M family of processors in easy-to-follow, practical projects. It gives a detailed introduction to the architecture of the Cortex-M family. Examples of popular hardware and software development kits are described.

The architecture of the highly popular ARM Cortex-M processor STM32F107VCT6 is described at a high level, taking into consideration its clock mechanisms, general input/output ports, interrupt sources, ADC and DAC converters, timer facilities, and more. The information provided here should act as a basis for most readers to start using and programming the STM32F107VCT6 microcontroller together with a development kit.

Furthermore, the use of the mikroC Pro for ARM integrated development environment (IDE) has been described in detail. This IDE includes everything required to create a project; namely an editor, compiler, simulator, debugger, and device programmer.

Although the book is based on the STM32F107VCT6 microcontroller, readers should not find it difficult to follow the projects using other ARM processor family members.