# The Spark Gap - Episode 16

- Show: [The Spark Gap](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap)
- Published: 2014-10-01
- Length: 31m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-10-01-the-spark-gap-episode-16
- Listen: https://thesparkgap.net/the-spark-gap-episode-16

## Summary

Hosts Carl and Corey discuss the newly announced Arm Cortex-M7 microcontroller, analyzing its performance metrics, instruction set architecture, and market positioning relative to the Cortex-M4 and application processors like the Raspberry Pi's ARM11. They compare STMicroelectronics' STM32F7 series, which implements the M7 core, against Microchip's PIC32MZ series, noting the latter's lower performance and significant silicon errata issues. The conversation highlights the blurring line between microcontrollers and microprocessors, with the M7 offering high performance suitable for complex IoT and embedded applications, though potentially at the cost of power efficiency compared to lower-end M0/M4 parts.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-10-01-the-spark-gap-episode-16#t=0) Introduction: Arm Cortex-M7 Announcement
- [1:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-10-01-the-spark-gap-episode-16#t=90) Arm Architecture Overview: M-Series vs A-Series
- [4:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-10-01-the-spark-gap-episode-16#t=244) Cortex-M7 Performance and Power Analysis
- [7:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-10-01-the-spark-gap-episode-16#t=437) Comparison: Cortex-M7 vs Raspberry Pi ARM11
- [13:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-10-01-the-spark-gap-episode-16#t=802) Microcontroller vs Microprocessor Convergence
- [19:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-10-01-the-spark-gap-episode-16#t=1153) Microchip PIC32MZ vs ST STM32F7
- [23:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-10-01-the-spark-gap-episode-16#t=1383) Silicon Errata and Design Risks

## Topics

- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Arm (company)
- Cortex-M7 (chip)
- Cortex-M4 (chip)
- Cortex-M0 (chip)
- STM32F407 (product)
- STM32F765 (product)
- PIC32MZ (product)
- Raspberry Pi (product)
- ARM11 (chip)
- Microchip (company)
- STMicroelectronics (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Microcontroller or Microprocessor - Which Do You Need for Your Project?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2022-12-14-microcontroller-or-microprocessor-which-do-you-need-for-your-project) (Predictable Designs Podcast)
- [138: Quit Yer Whining](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-02-10-138-quit-yer-whining) (Embedded.fm)
- [Microcontroller Showdown: Selecting the Best One for Your Project](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2023-01-04-microcontroller-showdown-selecting-the-best-one-for-your-project) (Predictable Designs Podcast)
- [New Year, New Gear](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2021-02-01-new-year-new-gear) (The Amp Hour)
- [226: Camp AVR Vs. Camp Microchip (Repeat)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-06-18-226-camp-avr-vs-camp-microchip-repeat) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

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