STMicroelectronics reveals STM32U3 microcontrollers extending ultra-low power innovation for remote,
STMicroelectronics, a global semiconductor leader serving
customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, has introduced new
STM32U3 microcontrollers (MCUs) with cutting-edge power-saving innovations that
ease deployment of smart connected tech, especially in remote locations.
The latest MCUs are aimed at IoT devices, which must
typically operate for extended periods without maintenance and with limited
energy from a coin cell or ambient solar or thermoelectric source. Typical applications
that depend on the lowest possible power consumption include utility meters,
healthcare devices such as glucose meters and insulin pumps, animal care
monitors, forest-fire sensors, and industrial sensors including thermostats and
smoke detectors. STM32U3 MCUs are also used in consumer products such as smart
watches, wearables, and hearables.
“The STM32U3 series builds on the heritage of ST-established
ultra-low-power general-purpose microcontroller class as it is known today,
which opened the door to widespread diffusion of smart technology in diverse
environments,” commented Patrick Aidoune, General-Purpose MCU Division General
Manager, STMicroelectronics. “Leveraging innovative techniques such as recent
advancements in near-threshold design, the new devices cut dynamic power
consumption to the bone, boosting efficiency by a factor of two compared to our
previous generation, hence contributing to companies’ sustainability goals.”
In addition to its extreme energy efficiency, the STM32U3
series meets the needs of IoT devices by providing robust cyber protection
using the latest hardware security techniques. The MCUs are designed to confine
secret keys permanently in secure memory, eliminating vulnerable CPU fetches.
In addition, attestation credentials for each device are provisioned by ST at
manufacture before leaving the factory, which strengthens security and
simplifies provisioning. All those security mechanisms, in addition to the
SESIP3 and PSA Level3 certifiable security assets, such as cryptographic
accelerators, TrustZone® isolation, random generator, and product lifecycle
will contribute and enable ST customers to reach compliancy towards the upcoming
RED and CRA regulations.
“STM32U3 enables us
[smaXtec] to bring our hardware for animal health monitors to the next level.
The consumption in active mode is extremely low, only a few µA/MHz, which
enables us to reduce the energy needed for current data processing algorithms
while at the same time adding new features to our products. In addition, its
advanced range of low-power modes lets us put the device into deep sleep if no
data is processed. The newly implemented STOP3 mode, including its wakeup
capabilities, is a neat way to keep power consumption low,” said Manuel Frech,
Product Development Engineer, smaXtec.
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