Welcome to this ARM Cortex-M3 DesignStart video. This video answers these two questions
First, it introduces Cortex-M3 DesignStart and then it gives an overview of the documentation resources that are available. We will then look at how these
resources can help you as you get started in designing and simulating SoC designs using DesignStart.
Cortex-M3 DesignStart provides a low-risk and accessible entry point into custom ASICs, bringing all of the benefits of the ARM ecosystem to a variety
of companies and organisations.
Based on the ARM Cortex-M3 processor, DesignStart is enabling innovation across a range of industries and applications.
Cortex processors in DesignStart are available for both evaluation and full SoC development.
DesignStart Eval is available as an instant download to all registrants and is free of charge. With this package, you can add your own peripherals and
design and simulate your own SoC designs. For prototyping on FPGA, we recommended that you use the ARM Versatile Express Cortex-M
Prototyping System (V2M-MPS2+) FPGA board.
DesignStart Pro is available for companies wishing to progress to silicon implementation and create production SoCs. This package is also
available to download for free, with only a small royalty payable once in production. Download is only available to registered companies and once a
contract has been signed – which is typically 3 to 4 days. This video concentrates on DesignStart Eval.
The DesignStart Eval package contains all of the necessary parts needed for a system designer to design and test RTL in simulation, as well as for
hardware prototyping using an FPGA. These parts are provided ready connected as a fully functioning example system. And this is a supported mbed OS
platform. The package contains the documentation for Cortex-M3 DesignStart, which is also hosted on developer.arm.com.
The package contains four separate documents. These are the RTL and FPGA Quickstart Guide, the RTL and Testbench User Guide, the FPGA User
Guide, and the Customization Guide. We recommend that you use the documents in the order that they are shown on-screen here, beginning
with the Quickstart guide.
The Quickstart Guide is designed as a beginner- level resource for those new to either SoC development or working with ARM products.
The document provides easy to follow instructions for performing the most basic RTL simulation and FPGA tests. We recommend that you read this
document first to quickly get Cortex-M3 DesignStart up and running in your environment.
After following the Quickstart guide, the RTL and Testbench User Guide and the FPGA user guide provide more detailed technical information, and
instructions on running further tests.
The RTL and Testbench User Guide looks at both the structure of the design, and how to run integration tests in simulation. It also covers details
which are relevant when writing software, such as the memory map of the system.
The FPGA user guide provides an overview of the FPGA platform, with information on areas such as the LCD display, Ethernet interface and other
peripherals. The document also contains information on clocks, the motherboard configuration controller and boot process, and how to replace the image on
the FPGA board.
Finally, the customization guide contains guidance and examples of customising the RTL for your own designs.
The guide includes descriptions of common customizations, such as replacing existing peripherals and power optimization, guidance on
how to update a system and validate design changes, and how to troubleshoot common issues.
To summarise, this video has introduced Cortex-M3 DesignStart and the four supporting documents that are available.
We have seen how the documents are designed to help you throughout the different stages of development - from beginning with the Quickstart
To summarise, this video has introduced Cortex-M3 DesignStart and the four supporting documents that are available.
We have seen how the documents are designed to help you throughout the different stages of development - from beginning with the Quickstart
guide, to learning more about the RTL and FPGA platform with the user guides, to using the customization guide to develop your own designs
and troubleshoot any issues you may encounter.
You can now begin using these documents, alongside the additional video resources, as you start testing and developing with Cortex M3
DesignStart.