- Efficient 40nm process technology and power-saving innovations minimize energy consumption in all modes
- Features Arm® embedded core and advanced cybersecurity, graphics, and peripherals for demanding consumer and industrial applications
STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, has announced a new generation of extreme power-saving microcontrollers (MCUs), the STM32U5* series, to meet the most demanding power/performance requirements for smart applications including wearables, personal medical devices, home automation, and industrial sensors.
The industry-leading STM32 MCUs, built upon the highly energy-efficient Arm® Cortex®-M processors, are already in billions of domestic appliances, industrial controls, computer peripherals, communication devices, and equipment managing smart cities and infrastructure.
The new STM32U5 series teams the efficient Arm Cortex-M33 core with ST’s innovative proprietary power-saving features and on-chip IP cutting down energy demand while pumping up performance. The line also adds new state-of-the-art features needed by today’s applications, including advanced cybersecurity with new hardware-based protection targeting PSA and SESIP (Security Evaluation Standard for IoT Platforms) assurance level 3, as well as graphics accelerators for rich user experiences.
“ST has almost doubled its share of global microcontroller sales in the last five years, shipping more than two billion ultra-low-power STM32 devices to date. With our low-power expertise and focus, we are particularly strong in the ultra-low-power category with about 25% of that market,” said Ricardo de Sa Earp, Group Vice President, Microcontroller Division General Manager, STMicroelectronics. “We expect our STM32U5 microcontrollers to be even more popular, enabling our customers to create new smart consumer and industrial products that deliver superior energy rating, performance, and cyberprotection.”
“Today’s smart applications need to be power efficient and built on a secure foundation,” said Mohamed Awad, vice president, IoT Business, Arm. “ST has incorporated Arm technology into its latest MCUs, taking energy efficiency and security to the next level, while developers can also utilize the Arm Keil® MDK for ultimate energy optimization.”
ST has also created the STM32U5 IoT Discovery Kit (B-U585I-IOT02A) that combines the MCU with a Wi-Fi® module, Bluetooth® module, and various sensors. Microsoft has chosen this kit as reference board for the new Azure Certified Device program. “The STM32U5 provides an excellent platform for delivering Azure IoT services via Azure RTOS leveraging the advanced features of STM32U5 microcontroller,” said Sam George, Corporate Vice President, Azure IoT at Microsoft Corporation. The kit will be available to order later in the year.
Among lead customers for the STM32U5, Twilio, the leading cloud communications platform, has used the MCUs to create an innovative IoT device-builder platform called Microvisor. Jonathan Williams, Lead Product Manager at Twilio, commented, “Being among the first developers to start using the STM32U5 has given Twilio Microvisor that unique combination of extreme low power, efficient performance, and advanced cybersecurity that Twilio customers are asking for.”
STM32U5 MCUs are sampling now to lead customers and will be in full production in September 2021. Budgetary pricing starts at $3.60. A broad choice of packages including a 4.2mm x 3.95mm WLCSP and 7mm x 7mm UQFN48 and UFBGA169 will be available.
