STMicroelectronics launches microcontrollers for software-defined electric vehicles

STMicroelectronics, a global semiconductor provider serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, has unveiled new automotive microcontrollers (MCUs) optimized for electric vehicles (EVs) and centralized (domain and zonal) electronic architectures. They enable EVs to become more affordable, drive further, and charge faster.

In current EVs, high-efficiency SiC-based (silicon carbide) power modules enable the greatest driving range and faster charging. Until now, they’ve required dedicated, high-speed signal processors to control the advanced SiC power semiconductors.

ST’s Stellar E MCUs, designed for the next generation of software-defined EVs, integrate high-speed, control-loop processing on-chip.

Now, one MCU can control the entire module. This simplifies the module design, saves costs, and eases compliance with automotive safety and security standards.

The new MCUs extend ST’s Arm-based Stellar family and are designed from the ground up with the car as a platform in mind. As a powerful, centralized domain and zone controller, the family simplifies automotive electrical architectures for increased power, flexibility, and safety.

Currently, the MCUs family includes Stellar P series for integration and vehicle control and the Stellar G series for body applications. The Stellar family architecture integrates multiple Arm Cortex cores that deliver high performance with the opportunity for lock-step redundancy and support real-time hardware virtualization. All Stellar devices are designed for software upgradeability through secure over-the-air (OTA) updates.

“With the new Stellar E devices, this platform now enables a new value chain for EVs. Sensing the environment, controlling vehicle dynamics, enhancing power-conversion efficiency, and safely managing high-current power stages, are effectively handled in a single component,” said Luca Rodeschini, Automotive and Discrete Group VP, Strategic Business Development and Automotive Processing and RF GM, STMicroelectronics. “The ability to update software securely over the air lets manufacturers refine their control strategies for extra driving range, performance, and power efficiency.”