Hacker News Reader

There are certain lines that include security features designed for IoT. Becoming more popular. Arm Cortex-m33 etc. so, stm32 L5, U5, nRF-53 etc. Lots of options if you want this. But most MCUs don't have them.

There's also MPU in even simpler/cheaper MCUs. For instance, ARM Cortex M0+ sports an MPU, and this architecture is used in STM32C0 ($0.24 in bulk) and RP2040.

I have no idea how the landscape looks in general, though.

The vast majority of modern MCUs have enough memory protection for Tock. Anything cortex-m0+ or "better" has an MPU. RISC-Vs PMP or ePMP as well. Most 16-bit "legacy" (though still popular) MCUs don't.

Virtually anything with a radio these days (the MSPs were holdouts but mostly those are Cortex-M these days as well)

It's technically optional on Cortex-M0+ and above, but in practice everyone includes one.

Is it mandatory?