Learn How to Move from an MPU to an MMU in an ARM Processor
Moving from an MPU to an MMU in ARM Processor
The ARM processor is one of the most popular embedded processors in the world. It is used in many applications, ranging from small home automation systems to large industrial robots. With its widespread usage, there has been a need to upgrade from an older Memory Protection Unit (MPU) model to an advanced Memory Management Unit (MMU). This article will explain why you may need to make this switch and how to do so.
What is an MPU?
An MPU is a type of hardware on a CPU that is responsible for controlling the access of different processes to certain areas in memory. It is essentially a firewall between different programs, making sure each application runs only in its own memory space and is not able to tamper with another process' memory. This increases the overall security of the system.
What is an MMU?
An MMU is more advanced than an MPU. It is an integrated circuit on the CPU that provides virtual memory management services. The MMU allows for mapping of physical memory to virtual memory, allowing for memory sharing, mapping of virtual addresses to physical addresses, and protection of memory from unauthorized access. The MMU also provides better support for multitasking, allowing multiple programs or processes to run simultaneously.
Why Make the Switch from an MPU to an MMU?
The main reason for making the switch from an MPU to an MMU in an ARM processor is for increased security and reliability. The MMU provides better protection for memory and processes, preventing malicious attacks from external threats. Additionally, an MMU can handle more complex tasks, such as multi tasking and address mapping, which are difficult to implement on an MPU. Finally, the MMU is able to provide an overall increase in performance due to the efficient management of memory.
How to Upgrade to an MMU
Upgrading to an MMU in an ARM processor is relatively straightforward. First, the processor must be connected to an external memory, as the MMU is not built-in to the processor. Once that is done, the appropriate MMU software must be downloaded to the system. Then, the operating system must be configured to use the MMU. Finally, the applications running on the system must be recompiled to utilize the new features of the MMU.
Conclusion
Moving from an MPU to an MMU in an ARM processor can provide many benefits. It increases security and reliability, as well as providing better performance. As long as the necessary steps to upgrade to an MMU are followed, it should be a straightforward process.
