ARM7 Processor Family

ARM7TDMI-S

World’s most widely used 32-bit embedded processor

• Baseline ARM processor
• Integer core with three-stage pipeline
• High performance, very low power consumption, small die size
• Fully synthesizable for design portability and flexibility

ARM7TDMI

A hard macro cell version of the ARM7TDMI-S core

• Ideal drop-in solution for rapid time to market
• Available through Foundry Program and Design Start

ARM7EJ-S

Bringing Java and DSP acceleration to low-cost 32-bit designs

• Integer core with three-stage pipeline
• High performance, very low power consumption, small die size
• Fully synthesizable for design portability and flexibility
• Jazelle^® Java acceleration
• DSP extensions  

Key Features 

• Established, high-volume 32-bit RISC architecture
• Up to 130 MIPs (Dhrystone 2.1) performance on a typical 0.13µm process
• Small die size and very low power consumption
• High code density, comparable to 16-bit microcontroller
• Support from over 30+ operating systems and RTOS
• Support from over 30+ hardware and software development tools
• Simulation models for leading EDA environments
• Excellent debug support for SoC designers, including ETM interface 
• Multiple sourcing from industry-leading silicon vendors
• Availability in 0.25µm, 0.18µm and 0.13µm processes
• Migration and support across new process technologies
• Forward compatibility to ARM9^® and ARM11^® processors

Processor Naming Conventions

• T  - Thumb architecture extension -> two separate instruction sets
  • 32-bit ARM Instructions
  • 16-bit Thumb instructions
  • Two execution states to select which instruction set to execute
• D  - debug extension adds
  • Scan chains 0 and 1 around the core
  • Additional signals on the core to allow program execution to be controlled (from Breakpoints and Watchpoints)
• M - Core has enhanced multiplier (32x8) with instructions for 64-bit results
• I -  EmbeddedICE Macrocell adds
  • Logic to implement Breakpoints and Watchpoints, and use the debug features of the core
  • Scan chain 2 to communicate with the EmbeddedICE Macrocell
  • TAP Controller to allow access to the scan chains
  • Bus splitter, providing unidirectional data buses
• S  - Fully synthesizable
• E - DSP extensions
  • Enhanced instructions for efficient fractional saturating arithmetic
  • Single cycle 32x16 multiplier implementation
  • 32x16 and 16x16 multiply instructions
  • Count leading zeros instruction
• J  - Java acceleration through Jazelle
  • Embedded Jazelle hardware acceleration
  • Reduced complexity & power consumption over a typical Java hardware coprocessor solution

Upgrading to the Architecture for tomorrow’s Digital World

Design migration from the ARM7

The ARM7 family is the world’s most widely used 32-bit embedded processor family, with more than 170 silicon licensees and over 10 Billion units shipped since its introduction in 1994.

While the ARM7 processor family continues to be used today for simple 32-bit devices, newer digital designs are increasingly making use of the newer, more powerful and feature-rich ARM processors which offer significant technical enhancements over the ARM7 family. 

System designers wishing to upgrade from ARM7 benefit from a robust ARM processor roadmap providing multiple upgrade options, including the latest Cortex processors.

In most cases migration is straightforward, and brings significant benefits in PPA, features and efficiency.

The table below presents the most common upward migration paths for adapting current ARM7 based designs for the next generation.

Upgrading options from ARM7TDMI-S for the Embedded market

For ARM7TDMI-S users in the embedded market, the Cortex-M0 and Cortex-M3 processors offer a much superior alternative, enabling tomorrow's embedded applications by delivering more features at a lower cost, increasing connectivity, better code reuse, and improved energy efficiency.

For advice on porting software written for the ARM7TDMI-S to the Cortex-M3 processor, please read the whitepaper “ARM Cortex-M3 Processor Software Development for ARM7TDMI Processor Programmers”

For a detailed comparison between ARM7 family processors and the latest ARM alternatives, please use the Processor Selector.