Gone are the days when MCUs were just a mix of processing, simple RAM memory and peripherals. Today’s vast array of MCUs contains a rich set of technologies designed to address complex system design challenges.
In this article, we summarize some of the recent year-end MCU news, from edge processing capabilities to embedded MCU memory to payment security.
MCUs serve neural processing technology
For its part, NXP Semiconductors recently announced its new MCX N MCU. An expansion of the company’s MCX family was announced in June, and the MCX N is one of the first devices to embed the NXP NPU (neural processing unit).
The first two members of the NXP MCX N family include the MCX N94x and MCX N54x, both general-purpose MCUs that embed dual Arm Cortex-M33 cores and clock speeds up to 150 MHz. other features include 2 MB of flash memory, optional full ECC RAM and DSP coprocessors for audio and voice processing.
As noted above, these MCUs are the first NXP products to introduce a new version of the NXP-designed neural processing unit (NPU). The company says this integrated NPU delivers up to 30 times more machine learning (ML) throughput than a CPU-only core solution. That means it can spend less time awake, which reduces overall power consumption. Engineers can leverage NXP’s eIQ ML software development tools to train and support ML models using the integrated NPU.
Rich Security and Peripheral Portfolio
For security purposes, these devices leverage NXP’s EdgeLock security subsystem. edgelock provides secure boot and encryption gas pedals. the MCU has on-the-fly encryption and decryption capabilities
NXP says this ensures that code and externally stored data are protected.
While the N94x and N54x share many of the same features, the MCX N94x focuses on advanced analog and motor control peripherals, while the MCX N54x includes peripherals ranging from high-speed USB with PHY to SD or smart card interfaces for IoT and consumer applications.
The N94x has a CoolFlux DSP, three embedded op-amps and two CAN-FD bus links. In contrast, the N54x has no DSP and no op-amps and only one CAN-FD interface. MCX N94x and MCX N54x appear to share a single product page.
AURIX TC4x MCUs get TSMC’s on-chip RRAM
For its part, Infineon Technologies’ recent MCU news revolves around memory. Infineon and TSMC recently announced that the two companies are working to add TSMC’s resistive RAM (RRAM) non-volatile memory technology to Infineon’s next-generation AURIX family of MCUs.
Infineon says the goal here is to meet the needs of automotive systems. MCUs with embedded flash memory have always been a key component in automotive electronic control units (ECUs). They are also critical for next-generation technological advances such as electrification, new E/E (electrical/electronic) architectures and autonomous driving.
While today’s MCUs are based on embedded flash technology, Infineon says RRAM is the next step in embedded memory as it can scale to 28 nm and beyond. For Infineon’s AURIX TC4x MCUs, TSMC and Infineon say they have successfully laid the groundwork for introducing RRAM in the automotive sector.
RRAM offers “high interference immunity” while allowing bit-by-bit writing without erasing. At the same time, Infineon says that the endurance and data retention performance is comparable to that of flash memory.
Infineon said it is now shipping samples of its AURIX TC4x family to key customers based on TSMC’s 28nm eFlash technology. The first samples based on 28nm RRAM technology are expected to be available to engineering customers by the end of 2023.
Payment authentication via biometric card
In other MCU news, STMicroelectronics (ST) recently announced that it has completed EMVCo1 certification of its STPay-Topaz-Bio biometric payment card platform. The platform is packaged with ST’s STM32L443 MCU in an EMV-compliant module.
According to the company, the certification confirms the platform’s security and its interoperability with payment systems, according to EMVCo, the organization that manages EMV specifications and testing procedures for card payments worldwide.
ST says the certification means that STPay-Topaz-Bio and its embedded secure hardware is now “the first one-stop EMVCo certified platform that includes a biometric secure element and a secure operating system (OS).”
The secure element used in the platform is ST’s ST31N600 Secure Element IC, which is essentially a MCU in its own right, and provides multiple defenses for card payment applications and sensitive processes. These include biometric template matching for cardholder authentication, which uses a software library developed by Fingerprint Cards AB (Fingerprints).
Running on the ST31N600 is a secure operating system. The device is built on the latest Arm SecurCore architecture for secure MCUs. In addition, designers can introduce value-added card functionality by securely connecting various types of peripheral devices.
In the STPay-Topaz-Bio platform, the STM32L443 MCU handles non-sensitive aspects, ST said. This includes the fingerprint sensor module and user interface for managing the card. the STPay-Topaz-Bio platform also has energy harvesting for battery-free operation and is compliant with contact and contactless card standards: EMV ISO 7816, ISO 14443.
MCU complexity under the hood
Embedded system design is all about behind-the-scenes complex functionality that enables powerful simplicity at the user level. To meet today’s demanding applications, MCU vendors are offering new co-processing, memory technologies and application-specific features such as secure payment capabilities.
The solutions described here may meet the new needs of design engineers, but the demand for future advances will continue to grow.
