# ARM Cortex-M4

> microprocessor core model

**Wikidata**: [Q296763](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q296763)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/arm-cortex-m4

## Summary
The ARM Cortex-M4 is a 32-bit RISC microprocessor core model designed by Arm Holdings as part of the ARM Cortex-M series. It is a semiconductor intellectual property core that integrates an ARM Cortex-M3 foundation with specialized hardware for advanced computation.

## Key Facts
- **Manufacturer:** Arm Holdings
- **Series:** ARM Cortex-M
- **Architecture:** 32-bit RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer)
- **Core Components:** Includes an ARM Cortex-M3, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a floating-point unit (FPU)
- **Classification:** Semiconductor intellectual property core and microprocessor
- **Instance of:** Integrated circuit model
- **Parent Class:** Microprocessor (computer processor contained on an integrated-circuit chip)

## FAQs
### Q: What is the ARM Cortex-M4?
A: The ARM Cortex-M4 is a 32-bit RISC microprocessor core model manufactured by Arm Holdings. It is part of the ARM Cortex-M series and is classified as a semiconductor intellectual property core used in integrated circuits.

### Q: What internal components distinguish the Cortex-M4?
A: The Cortex-M4 is notable for containing an ARM Cortex-M3 core as a base component. It also features an integrated digital signal processor (DSP) and a floating-point unit (FPU).

### Q: Who produces the ARM Cortex-M4?
A: The core is designed and manufactured by Arm Holdings. It is distributed as an intellectual property core for use in various integrated circuit models, such as the STMicroelectronics STM32F303.

## Why It Matters
The ARM Cortex-M4 represents a significant model within the 32-bit RISC processor landscape. As a semiconductor intellectual property core, it provides a standardized architecture that manufacturers can integrate into diverse integrated circuit designs. Its relevance stems from its hybrid design; by combining the standard ARM Cortex-M3 architecture with a digital signal processor (DSP) and a floating-point unit (FPU), it enables complex mathematical and signal processing tasks within a single microprocessor core. This integration allows for more sophisticated processing capabilities in a compact integrated-circuit format, maintaining the efficiency of the ARM Cortex-M series while expanding the technical scope of what the core can handle.

## Notable For
- **Integrated DSP and FPU:** Features a built-in digital signal processor and floating-point unit for specialized calculations.
- **Architectural Foundation:** Built upon the ARM Cortex-M3 core architecture.
- **32-bit RISC Design:** Part of a specific group of 32-bit RISC processor cores within the ARM Cortex-M series.
- **IP Core Model:** Functions as a semiconductor intellectual property core rather than just a standalone physical chip.

## Body

### Classification and Series
The ARM Cortex-M4 is a 32-bit RISC microprocessor core. It is a member of the ARM Cortex-M series, which is a group of processor cores designed for integrated circuits. It is classified as a semiconductor intellectual property core, meaning the design is licensed to manufacturers for use in their own integrated circuit models.

### Technical Composition
The architecture of the Cortex-M4 is defined by the integration of several key parts:
*   **ARM Cortex-M3:** This serves as a primary part of the M4's internal structure.
*   **Digital Signal Processor (DSP):** A dedicated component for processing digital signals.
*   **Floating-Point Unit (FPU):** A specialized unit designed to perform non-integer mathematical operations.

### Manufacturing and Implementation
The core is developed by Arm Holdings. Because it is an intellectual property core, it appears in various third-party hardware implementations. One such example is the STMicroelectronics STM32F303, which utilizes the Cortex-M4 design. The core is categorized under the broader class of microprocessors, which are computer processors contained on a single integrated-circuit chip.