ST’ high-performance microcontrollers pave the way to new innovations in smart home and industrial systems

ST has revealed a new high-performance device that combines performance, scalability and security of microprocessor-based systems that are typically more complex with the simplicity and integration of microcontrollers (MCUs).

Using these new STM32H7 MCUs, producers of equipment like smart appliances, smart-building controllers, industrial automation, and personal medical devices can evolve their products more quickly and cost effectively as end-users’ demands continue to increase. Examples include adding richer, colourful user interfaces and performing multiple functions simultaneously, which is usually achieved with microprocessors (MPU).

ST’s new STM32H7R and STM32H7S microcontrollers come with robust security features, needed to address Internet of Things (IoT) applications. They include protection against physical attacks, memory protection, code isolation to protect the application at runtime, and platform authentication. The STM32H7S devices provide further security enhancement by integrating immutable root of trust, debug authentication, and hardware cryptographic accelerators that support the latest algorithms to prevent unauthorised access to code and data. With these security features, the devices are targeting up to SESIP3 and PSA Level 3 certifications, meeting the highest industry standards for cyber protection.

The STM32H7 MCUs combine the highest-performing Arm Cortex-M core ST has yet announced (Cortex-M7 running at up to 600MHz) with minimal on-chip memory and high-speed external interfaces. They let engineers build systems with extra performance and flexibility using simple, low-cost microcontroller development tools. The devices available are further divided into the STM32H7R3/S3 general-purpose MCUs and the STM32H7R7/S7 with enhanced graphics-handling capabilities. Developers can share software extensively between the two lines, enabling efficient use of project resources and faster time to market for new products.

ST’s new STM32H7 MCUs are scheduled to enter volume production from April 2024. Sample requests and pricing information are available from local ST sales offices.

The STM32H7S8-DK demonstration and development platform, and the affordable and extendable NUCLEO-H7S3L8 MCU board, are available to accelerate building applications using the new devices.

https://www.st.com/en/microcontrollers-microprocessors/stm32h7-series.html

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Arrow simplifies AI development with maker-friendly FPGA board and demo

Arrow Electronics is easing AI development for professionals and makers with the CYC5000 FPGA board in a compact 25.0mm x 70.7mm form factor. The plug-and-play board, with Arduino-compatible header, simplifies building IoT edge devices leveraging the programmable logic, RISC-V with Altera’s Nios V, DSP accelerators, and hard IP blocks.
Easy to use, and containing an Arrow USB Programmer2 on-board, the CYC5000 is ready to use for an AI camera application with a neural network running on the device. The board is optimised for low power consumption, and can be used for learning, proof of concept, or full production in customised versions.

The Altera Cyclone V FPGA, as the main feature of the CYC5000, has 25,000 logic elements, 25 DSP blocks, 50 18×18 multipliers, and FPGA memory blocks on-chip. The board also contains 64MBit SDRAM and 64MBit Flash, a USB interface, and runs from a single 5V supply.

In addition to the Arduino header, a CRUVI connector eases adding high-speed signal adapters for extra interfaces and applications. The AI camera demo uses an image sensor connected via the CRUVI adapter and runs a convolutional neural network, image filtering, MIPI in, and HDMI out, on the Cyclone V. Implemented in less of half of the FPGA’s available logic elements, the algorithm can analyse 10k samples per second, at only a few hundred milliwatts, highlighting opportunities for edge AI with a green footprint.

https://www.arrow.com

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ST reveals high-performance wireless microcontrollers

ST has revealed the next generation of its short-range wireless microcontrollers. These all-in-one components enable wearables and smart objects including smart home devices, health monitors, and smart appliances to become ever more miniaturised, easy to use, secure and affordable.

Short-range wireless technologies like Bluetooth LE, Zigbee and Thread (popular in smart meters and smart buildings) are the fabric connecting smart devices to home bridges, gateways, and controllers including smartphones. As we all seek solutions for making life more economical, sustainable, and comfortable, vendors are looking to bring creative and high-performing new solutions to market more quickly, within tight cost constraints. They need to be stylish, too: tiny, low-profile, or even embedded out of sight in other equipment, such as in smart bulbs. Going wireless is a part of this trend, for freedom, flexibility, and fashion.

Wireless microcontrollers like ST’s new STM32WBA5 product line allow a one-chip solution that’s extremely compact, reduces the bill of materials, and shortens the time to market by relieving wireless design challenges. Also, being compatible with the development tools and software packs of the STM32 microcontroller development ecosystem, the new line simplifies migrating existing products designed for wired connections.

The new series’ flagship STM32WBA55 microcontroller can communicate using multiple wireless standards concurrently, including low-energy Bluetooth LE 5.4, Zigbee, Thread, and Matter (Thread RCP). Matter border router is a perfect match with the STM32WBA5 for this new open-source connectivity standard for smart-home and IoT (Internet of Things) devices. In this way, the STM32WBA55 supports a great user experience while simplifying hardware and software engineers’ development journey, aiding affordability and time to market for the new product.

With this new generation, ST has also introduced support for the recently completed Bluetooth LE Audio specifications that enable exciting and innovative new products for richer listening and hearing experiences. These include the new Bluetooth Auracast feature, which opens the door to a new world of audio broadcasting applications.

The STM32WBA series is the first wireless MCU in the market to achieve the important SESIP (Security Evaluation Standard for IoT Platforms) Level 3 security certification. With this, smart devices containing STM32WBA microcontrollers are ready to satisfy the US Cyber Trust Mark and EU Radio Equipment Directive (RED) regulations due to become mandatory in 2025.

The new STM32WBA5 product line will be available on st.com on March 12. Sample requests and pricing information are available from local ST sales offices. ST will introduce a ready-to-use module containing the STM32WBA, integrated with necessary external components including power-supply and antenna-balancing circuitry, in June 2024.

https://www.st.com/stm32wba

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Nexperia unveils next gen low-voltage analog switches

Nexperia, has introduced a new series of 4- and 8-channel analog switches designed to monitor and protect 1.8 V electronic systems. This series of multiplexers includes AEC-Q100 qualified variants intended for use in automotive applications as well as standard versions suitable for a broader range of consumer and industrial applications including sensor monitoring and diagnostics, enterprise computing and domestic appliances.

When using analogue switches, designers commonly require additional voltage translators because the control circuitry cannot operate from the voltage level used to supply power to the switch. By contrast, the control pins in the NMUX1308 and NMUX1309 switches operate independently of their power supply voltage range, negating the need to use additional components to perform level-shifting and thus saving board-space and reducing costs.

Nexperia has designed this series of switches to include additional features which enhance overall system safety. Fail-safe logic permits control pins to be biased prior to system power-up and remain biased even after the system has powered down. This eliminates the requirement for power sequencing between the analog switch and the system microcontroller unit (MCU). A power-off protection feature allows analog pins to be biased prior to system power-up and to remain biased after system power-down. This removes the restrictions associated with power sequencing for the analog switch and various power rails which support analog signals and ADC circuitry further down the signal-chain. The combination of both features in the NMUX130X prevents back-power of the supply rail through any pin of the analog switch.

These devices integrate injection current control circuitry, limiting output voltage shifts on the active channel to under 5 mV when an overvoltage event happens on disabled signal channels. This eliminates the need for external diode and resistor networks, saving board-space and reducing cost.

The NMUX1308 and NMUX1309 switches include 8-channel and dual 4-channel devices, in standard (-40 °C to +85 °C) and automotive-qualified (-40 °C to +125 °C) versions and are available in leaded and leadless options, including a leadless package which support AOI (Automated Optical Inspection) for automotive applications.

https://www.nexperia.com/analogswitches

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