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Microprocessor adds Linux distribution to accelerate IoT innovation

Thu, Feb 21, 2019

As part of its commitment to 10-year industrial-grade supply, STMicroelectronics has introduced the STM32MP1 microprocessor series with Linux distribution. According to STMicro, the multi-core STM32MP1 architecture is particularly suited to open-source software-based applications in real-time and power-constrained sub-systems

It also reduces development time using OpenSTLinux mainlined, open-source Linux distribution and the established STM32Cube ecosystem

STMicro has applied its Arm Cortex expertise to expand the capabilities of its STM32 microcontroller to applications which require more performance, resources and large open-source software. The STM32MP1 multi-core microprocessor series has compute and graphics support combined with power-efficient real-time control to support developers of industrial, consumer, smart home, health and wellness applications.

The STM32MP1 series microprocessor uses the STM32-family ecosystem from ST and its partners, including tools and technical support.

“The STM32MP1 brings the strength of the STM32 experience to applications that need MPU compute and graphics support, combined with power efficient real-time control and high feature integration,” said Ricardo De Sa Earp, general manager of STMicroelectronics’ microcontroller division. “Our commitment to consolidating open-source Linux software and microcontroller development support, combined with the longevity that consumer-oriented alternatives cannot equal, establish solid confidence in STM32MP1 for embedded MPU projects,” he adds.

Designers can use the STM32MP1 microprocessor series to develop a range of applications using the STM32 heterogeneous architecture that combines Arm Cortex-A and Cortex-M cores. The architecture performs fast processing and real-time tasks on a single chip, always achieving the greatest power efficiency, says STMicro. For example, by stopping Cortex-A7 execution and running only from the more efficient Cortex-M4, power can typically be reduced to 25 per cent. From this mode, going to standby further cuts power by 2.5k times – while still supporting the resumption of Linux execution in one to three seconds, depending on the application.

The STM32MP1 embeds a 3D graphics processor unit (GPU) to support human machine interface (HMI) displays. It also supports a wide range of external DDR SDRAM and flash memories. The large set of peripherals can be seamlessly allocated either to Cortex-A / Linux or Cortex-M / real-time activities. The STM32MP1 series is available in a range of BGA packages to minimise PCB cost and use the smallest board space.

The release of OpenSTLinux distribution has already been reviewed and accepted by the Linux community: Linux Foundation, Yocto project and Linaro. The distribution contains all the essential building blocks for running software on the application-processor cores.

Enhanced STM32Cube tools, upgraded from the STM32Cube package for Cortex-M microcontrollers, accelerate microprocessor development using Arm Cortex-A-core MPUs.

Two evaluation boards (STM32MP157A-EV1 and STM32MP157C-EV1) and two Discovery kits (STM32MP157A-DK1 and STM32MP157C-DK2) will be available through distribution channels in April.

http://www.st.com

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Microcontroller has virtualisation assist for self-drive vehicles

Wed, Feb 20, 2019

For next-generation automotive architectures, Renesas Electronics has introduced a 28nm microcontroller with virtualisation-assisted functions. The 600MHz flash microcontroller combines enhanced built-in self-test (BIST) and a Gbit Ethernet (GbE) interface.

The company described the verification of the automotive test chip as a technological stepping stone toward the realisation of next-generation automotive-control flash microcontrollers employing a 28nm low power process.

The microcontroller has four 600MHz CPUs with a lock-step mechanism and a large flash memory capacity of 16Mbyte as well as virtualisation-assisted functions. This technology allows multiple software components to run on a single microcontroller without interfering with each other to satisfy the requirements of the highest automotive safety integrity level specified under the ISO 26262 functional safety standard for road vehicles, ASIL D.

The enhanced BIST functionality allows for microcontroller self-diagnostic fault-detection, which is necessary to implement ASIL D. The newly developed standby-resume BIST (SR-BIST) function is executed during the standby-resume period.

There is also enhanced networking functionality, including a GbE interface for high-speed transfer of sensor information.

Automotive microcontrollers need to meet the requirements of running software components with varying safety integrity levels simultaneously and without interference. Automotive control requires software independence as well as real time responsiveness. To meet these next-generation requirements, Renesas has developed new technologies led by virtualization-assisted functions for automotive-control MCUs, as demonstrated in the new test chip.

Typically, software-based (hypervisor) virtualisation requires greater processing time as it has to emulate hardware virtually. The increased processing time is problematic for automotive-control microcontrollers that must maintain real time responsiveness. The hardware-based virtualisation-assisted functions were developed to reduce the virtualisation overhead and boost responsiveness. Allowing software components to operate independently makes it possible for the microcontroller to deliver both virtualisation and real-time performance as required by ASIL D.

One way to avoid disturbing a CPU processing period is to to perform self-diagnostics in the period between when the microcontroller enters the standby state and when resume occurs. There is, however, limitation regarding current fluctuations, meaning that the increase in the current fluctuation rate caused by resume due to self-diagnostics is a concern. Renesas has developed SR-BIST to minimise the current fluctuation rate. SR-BIST runs before the CPU begins operating each time there is a transition from standby to resume. To ensure rapid start up, the on-chip oscillator supplies a clock for the fault diagnostics. An N/M divider is used to gradually increase the frequency of the clock, reducing the current fluctuation rate when SR-BIST is executing. As a result, it allows functional safety that meets the requirements of ASIL D, confirms Renesas.

Ethernet will be the high-speed communication interface to handle the volume of data generated by connected vehicles. Renesas has developed a GbE interface using 5V transistors that supports the Serial Gigabit Media Independent Interface (SGMII) standard and provides electrical noise tolerance. To deal with deterioration of the signal bandwidth due to the use of 5V transistors, dedicated circuits were added for receiver and driver. This results in signal quality that complies with the SGMII standard, says Renesas.

Renesas presented the test results at this week’s International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC) 2019, in San Francisco, USA.

http://renesas.com

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u-blox adds Script option to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity software

Tue, Feb 19, 2019

For easy and interactive development of embedded applications, u-blox has developed u-connectScript and added it to the u-connectXpress software series.

The extended software series is claimed to further simplify wireless Bluetooth and Wi‑Fi device development, enabling embedded script applications in the module, and reducing complexity and time to market.

The software series manages the wireless connectivity ‘behind the scenes’ and scripting support increases development efficiency and brings the wireless technology to companies that are new to the IoT, says u-blox.

u-connectXpress was introduced more than 15 years ago and lets developers configure device connectivity without having to write and test complex code. u-blox has added to the software series so that it now comprises over 130 standard and u-blox-specific AT commands

u‑connectScript has been added to further speed up embedded device development, says u-blox. It is based on the JavaScript programming language, which has been widely adopted, and which has a short learning curve. u‑connectScript uses simple syntax to allow device developers to quickly embed Bluetooth applications right onto the module without requiring extensive experience in embedded systems programming. Developers write their applications using u-blox’s integrated development environment (IDE) or a text editor of their choice.

u-connectScript efficiently manages data flows between wireless and physical interfaces. This ensures power consumption and performance of the resulting application remains on a par with traditionally developed embedded applications; u-blox argues that this is contrary to other script solutions available in the market.

Security is fundamental and is handled behind the scenes when using any member of the u‑connect software series. Secure Boot ensures that devices only boot up in the presence of original certified software. u‑connect additionally ensures a high level of link and data security with support for Wi‑Fi enterprise security (e.g. EAP-TLS), IP end-to-end security (e.g. TLS) and LE secure connections for Bluetooth.

Applications developed for u-connectXpress or u-connectScript can be re-used across the entire product line and are forward compatible with new product generations.

u-connectXpress is available across the u-blox Short Range product portfolio. u-connectScript will be available on selected product variants, starting with the NINA-B3 module.

https://www.u-blox.com

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Sensors use Bluetooth Low Energy for IoT development

Tue, Feb 19, 2019

Sensor technology, with what is claimed to be the industry’s lowest power Bluetooth Low Energy radio are combined in the RSL10 sensor development kit from ON Semiconductor.

The sensor development kit brings together the RSL10 system in package (SiP) with a range of advanced low power sensors from Bosch Sensortec to provide nine degrees of freedom (DoF) detection and environmental monitoring, including ambient light, volatile organic compounds (VOC), pressure, relative humidity and temperature. A low noise, digital microphone is also included, along with a user-programmable RGB LED, three programmable push-button switches, and 64kbit EEPROM.

The sensors are Bosch Sensortec’s integrated BME680 environmental sensor which detect a range of gases for air quality applications, its BMM150 geomagnetic sensor and the BHI160 smart sensor for high accuracy motion sensing. The RSL10 sensor kit combines motion and environmental sensing with the low power capabilities of the Bluetooth 5-certified RSL10, targeting both consumer and industrial IoT applications.

Developers can use the RSL10 Sense and Control mobile application to connect to the RSL10 sensor development kit to monitor sensors and to evaluate the kit’s features. The app also supports multiple commercial cloud platforms for uploading sensor data.

The RSL10 sensor development kit is available now. ON Semiconductor’s other energy-efficient, rapid prototyping platforms for IoT include the Bluetooth IoT development kit and the recently-introduced energy harvesting Bluetooth low energy switch.

The RSL10 is available in a 5.5mm²WLCSP, a 6.0 x 6.0mm QFN package, and a complete SiP with an integrated antenna.

ON Semiconductor will host a live demonstration of how service-provider companies can use the RSL10 sensor development kit to monitor worker safety at Embedded World (Nuremberg, Germany (26 to 28 February) at the company’s stand in Hall 4A – 260.

ON Semiconductor supplies energy-efficient, power management, analogue, sensors, logic, timing, connectivity, discrete, SoC and custom devices for automotive, communications, computing, consumer, industrial, medical, aerospace and defence applications.

http://www.onsemi.com

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Microprocessor adds Linux distribution to accelerate IoT innovation

Microcontroller has virtualisation assist for self-drive vehicles

u-blox adds Script option to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity software

Sensors use Bluetooth Low Energy for IoT development

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