New
microcontrollers from
STMicroelectronics expand STM32U5 series, raising
performance and energy efficiency for IoT and
embedded applications
- Lead customer Ajax Systems uses STM32U5 MCUs in next-gen
wireless security and smart home solutions
- STM32U5 series MCUs are first general-purpose MCUs to receive
NIST embedded random-number entropy source certification
Geneva, Switzerland,
February 21, 2023 –
STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global semiconductor
leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics
applications, has expanded its STM32 family of advanced
microcontrollers (MCUs) with extra STM32U5 devices that raise
performance while squeezing power consumption for longer runtimes
and energy efficiency. The STM32U5 has also received NIST embedded
random-number entropy source certification1; the industry’s first
to receive this endorsement.
The new MCUs extend the range of code and data storage to
128Kbyte Flash for cost-sensitive applications, while also adding
high-density versions for complex applications and sophisticated
smartphone-like user interfaces. Among these, the STM32U59x/5Ax
with 4Mbyte Flash and 2.5Mbyte SRAM has the largest on-chip memory
of any STM32 MCU to date.
With their increased capabilities, the new MCUs enhance deeply
embedded applications like environmental sensors, industrial
actuators, building automation, smart appliances, wearable devices,
eMobility controls, and others, especially in remote, difficult to
access locations. As billions of such devices are being deployed
worldwide for smart living and working, ST’s new MCUs accelerate
progress by boosting performance, enhancing energy efficiency, and
strengthening cybersecurity.
All STM32 MCUs are based on industry-standard Arm® Cortex®-M
embedded CPU cores and benefit from the powerful and easy-to-use
STM32Cube and STM32Cube.AI development ecosystem. This ecosystem
consolidates tools and software to support customers’ projects from
start to finish, including the creation of cutting-edge AI/ML
solutions through conversion of pretrained neural networks into
optimized code.
The STM32U5 series leverages the latest generation, the
Cortex-M33, which incorporates advancements that increase
performance, energy efficiency, and resistance to online and
hardware attacks. Around this core, ST has added its
ultra-low-power MCU knowhow and implemented an architecture that
leverages established Arm principles for superior cybersecurity.
Some devices in the series provide a 2.5D graphics accelerator. The
result is a groundbreaking MCU series that offers a large selection
of pin-to-pin and software-compatible products ready to tackle
next-generation applications.
“Because many applications demand extra functionality, richer
graphics, and faster performance while running longer, using a
smaller battery, or employing energy harvesting, we’ve developed
the STM32U5 and are extending the series, today,” said Ricardo De
Sa Earp, Executive Vice President General-Purpose Microcontroller
Sub-Group, STMicroelectronics. “This MCU combines the latest Arm
core, our unique ultra-low-power technologies, generous on-chip
memory, and the option of our NeoChrom graphics engine to elevate
the user’s visual experience.”
Among ST’s lead customers for the STM32U5 series, Ajax Systems
is already designing future generations of its advanced wireless
security and smart home solutions using the new MCUs. Max Melnyk,
Device Department R&D Director at Ajax, commented, “Working
with STMicroelectronics, a global giant in the semiconductor
market, helps us evolve and strengthen Ajax products. The STM32U5
series significantly lowers power consumption while maintaining the
same performance we achieved using other MCUs that contain DSP and
floating-point co-processors. And we can reuse 90 percent of our
existing code. An additional, major advantage for us is the large
integrated SRAM, which is enough to handle a double frame buffer
for fast and fluid graphics performance. There is also generous
flash for loading resources. I’m sure it’ll drive the development
of the next generations of Ajax products.”
Further technical
information Proprietary energy-saving features of
the STM32U5 series include autonomous peripherals and ST’s
low-power background autonomous mode (LPBAM). The LPBAM lets the
application maintain critical functionality while the core and
other unused blocks power down into any of the MCU’s flexible
energy-saving modes. From this state, the MCU can quickly wake the
core to process a batch of data efficiently then transition back
into a low-power mode.
On the other hand, STM32U5 MCUs provide up to 4Mbytes of flash
storage for code and data, as well as up to 2.5Mbytes SRAM, for
handling sophisticated applications. The large on-chip memory saves
additional discrete memory chips that otherwise increase power
consumption, bill-of-materials (BOM) cost, and PCB size.
The STM32U5 series also breaks the constraints on graphics
performance that typically apply to ultra-low-power MCUs. Variants
with ST’s advanced NeoChrom graphics processing unit (GPU) on-chip
can run a sophisticated graphical user interface (GUI) previously
only possible with an expensive microprocessor-based system. A
tiny, embedded processor can now host smartphone-like user
experiences and GUI development can leverage ST’s TouchGFX
framework that now features SVG support and rich graphical
assets.
Also, unlike the processors typically needed to support such
sophisticated capabilities, STM32U5 MCUs come in an economical
LQFP100 package that permits a simplified PCB construction with
minimal layer count. Developers can accelerate their projects using
resources including the STM32CubeU5 software package, new
NUCLEO-U545RE and NUCLEO-U5A5ZJ development boards, and the
STM32U5A9J-DK Discovery kit for graphics.
The STM32U5 series also enhances cyber security, leveraging the
Cortex-M33 with its memory protection unit and Arm’s TrustZone®
architecture featuring hardware isolation. The MCUs also integrate
cryptographic accelerators for advanced AES algorithms, support for
public key architecture (PKA), and resistance to physical attacks.
In addition, error correction code (ECC) support on flash and SRAM
prevents corruption thereby enhancing both cyber-protection and
safety.On top of this, the STM32U5 is the first general-purpose
group of MCUs to receive the NIST (US National Institute of
Standards and Technology) embedded random-number entropy source
certification. As the certification is reusable by customers, it
simplifies and speeds certification for those applications that
need SP800-90B final certification.
The new STM32U5 devices are scheduled to begin volume production
in Q2 2023. MCUs will be available from ST’s eStore and
distributors, priced from $2.15 for orders of 10,000 pieces. Please
contact your local ST sales office for other pricing options.
For further information please go to www.st.com/stm32u5.STM32 is
a registered and/or unregistered trademark of STMicroelectronics
International NV or its affiliates in the EU and/or elsewhere. In
particular, STM32 is registered in the US Patent and Trademark
Office.
About STMicroelectronicsAt ST, we are more than
50,000 creators and makers of semiconductor technologies mastering
the semiconductor supply chain with state-of-the-art manufacturing
facilities. An integrated device manufacturer, we work with more
than 200,000 customers and thousands of partners to design and
build products, solutions, and ecosystems that address their
challenges and opportunities, and the need to support a more
sustainable world. Our technologies enable smarter mobility, more
efficient power and energy management, and the wide-scale
deployment of the Internet of Things and connectivity. ST is
committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2027. Further information
can be found at www.st.com.
For Press Information Contact:
Michael MarkowitzSTMicroelectronicsTel: +1 781 591 0354Email:
michael.markowitz@st.com
1 A certified random number generator is an important source of
non-deterministic (random) data needed for security algorithms in
cryptography and to fulfil the SP800-90B specification.
- P4518S -- Feb 21 2023 -- New STM32U5 MCUs_FINAL FOR
PUBLICATION
- P4518S -- Feb 21 2023 -- New STM32U5 MCUs_IMAGE
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