Embedded Memory Types: ITCM, DTCM, and DDR Explained
embedded systems•May 6, 2026

Embedded Memory Types: ITCM, DTCM, and DDR Explained

Embedded engineers often struggle with memory latency issues on ARM Cortex-M and Cortex-R processors. This guide covers the basics of ITCM, DTCM, and DDR memory, and provides tips on how to profile and monitor firmware memory usage.

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Original source

Key summary

This handbook explains the differences between ITCM, DTCM, and DDR memory types, and how to place code and data in the right region to optimize performance on embedded processors.

TL;DR

  • ITCM stores executable code and has single-cycle access speed.
  • DTCM stores data and has single-cycle access speed.
  • DDR stores everything else and has multi-cycle access speed.
  • Memory placement affects performance on embedded processors.
  • The linker script controls memory placement.
  • Common mistakes to avoid include incorrect memory placement and inadequate profiling.
  • TCM affects power consumption and performance.
  • Profiling memory usage is crucial for optimizing firmware performance.

This content is automatically summarized using AI. For full context, always refer to the original article.

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