Teensy 4.0

Jargon buster

Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.

ARM Cortex-M7

A family of 32-bit microcontroller processor cores designed for fast embedded applications. Knowing a board uses Cortex-M7 helps indicate it is aimed at more demanding tasks like audio processing, robotics, and high-speed data handling rather than very simple control jobs.

baud

Baud is the signalling rate of a serial connection, often used as the speed setting for UART communication. Matching the baud rate matters because both connected devices must use the same setting for readable data.

branch prediction

A processor feature that guesses which way a program will go at an if-statement or loop so it can keep working without waiting. It helps improve performance in complex code, which is useful for real-time projects that need quick responses.

DSP

Digital signal processing means using software or hardware to analyse or modify signals such as audio, vibration, or sensor readings. A board suited to DSP is useful when a project needs fast maths for filtering, synthesis, or real-time signal analysis.

dual-issue superscalar

A processor design that can start more than one instruction at a time when the code allows it. This matters because it can make programs run faster, especially for calculation-heavy projects, though the speed-up depends on the software.

Dynamic Clock Scaling

A feature that lets the processor change its running speed while the program is operating. This can help balance performance, power use, and heat, especially in projects that only need full speed some of the time.

FPU

A floating-point unit is hardware inside a processor that speeds up calculations with decimal numbers. This helps when projects use maths-heavy tasks such as motion sensing, filtering sensor readings, or audio processing.

Headers

Rows of connector contacts on a fixed pitch (commonly 2.54 mm) used to link a board to a breadboard, jumper wires, or another board. They come as male pin headers and female socket headers; when a module ships with pre-soldered headers it can be used straight away, whereas bare pads require soldering the pins yourself.

microcontroller

A microcontroller is a small computer on a single chip that runs a stored program and controls connected inputs and outputs such as buttons, sensors, displays and communication interfaces. In a device built around one, it is the part that executes the code and coordinates the device's behaviour.

MIDI

MIDI is a standard way for electronic instruments, controllers, and software to send musical control messages such as notes, velocity, and timing. If a board supports MIDI, it can be triggered from keyboards, drum pads, sequencers, or other music gear rather than only from buttons or code.

NXP iMXRT1062

A high-speed microcontroller chip from NXP's i.MX RT1060 family, built around an ARM Cortex-M7 core typically clocked at around 600 MHz. When a board lists this chip as its processor, it indicates the board's processing speed, memory and peripheral set, and which software libraries and pin features are available.

overclockable

Overclockable means the processor can be run faster than its standard rated speed. This can increase performance, but it may also increase power use, heat, and the chance of instability, so it matters for projects pushing the board’s limits.

RAM

RAM (random-access memory) is fast, temporary memory a device uses for working data while it is running; in its common volatile form, its contents are lost when power is removed. Some devices offer a mode that applies settings to RAM only, which is handy for testing changes temporarily because they are not stored permanently and disappear at power-off.

RTC

A Real-Time Clock keeps track of time even when the main processor is asleep or powered down, usually with a small backup battery. It matters for data logging and tracking projects that need accurate timestamps.

tightly coupled memory

A block of memory connected very directly to the processor for fast, predictable access. It matters for timing-sensitive code such as audio, motor control, or data acquisition where delays from ordinary memory access can cause problems.

VBAT

VBAT is a backup battery power pin used to keep a small part of a circuit, such as a real-time clock, running when the main power is off. It matters if your project needs to remember the time while the board is shut down.