STMicroelectronics launches power-saving microcontrollers with cybersecurity

STMicroelectronics, a global semiconductor provider, announced a new generation of extreme, power-saving microcontrollers (MCUs), the STM32U5* series. They are specifically designed to meet the most demanding power/performance requirements for smart applications including wearables, personal medical devices, home automation, and industrial sensors.

The STM32 MCUs build upon the highly energy-efficient Arm Cortex-M processors, which are already in billions of domestic appliances, industrial controls, computer peripherals, communication devices, and the equipment that manages smart cities and infrastructure.

However, the new series teams the efficient Arm Cortex-M33 core with ST’s innovative proprietary power-saving features and on-chip IP, cutting down on energy demands while pumping up performance. The line also adds new state-of-the-art features, 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 percent of that market,” said Ricardo de Sa Earp, group VP, Microcontroller division GM, 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 cyber protection.”

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 a 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 VP, Azure IoT at Microsoft Corporation. The kit will be available to order later in the year.

Among lead customers for the STM32U5, Twilio, a top cloud communications platform, has used the MCUs to create an innovative IoT device-builder platform called Microvisor.

Jonathan Williams, lead product manager at Twilio, added: “Being among the first developers to start using the STM32U5 has given Twilio Microvisor that unique combination of extremely low power, efficient performance, and advanced cybersecurity that Twilio customers are asking for.”