Alif Semiconductor and onsemi collaborated to create a complete camera reference design to maximize performance and efficiency for low-power applications using machine vision such as supplemental security cameras, biometric ID passage control, retail management, and smart eyewear. The challenge of implementing imaging products with long battery life and enough localized AI/ML capability to be useful […]
Microcontrollers
MCU family for advanced industrial applications operate from 2.7 V – 5.5 V, -40°C to 125°C
Infineon Technologies AG announced the XMC7000 microcontroller (MCU) family for advanced industrial applications including industrial drives, electrical vehicle (EV) charging, two-wheel electrical vehicles, and robotics. The XMC7000 series offers single and dual-core options of 350-MHz 32-bit Arm Cortex-M7 and a 100-MHz 32-bit Arm Cortex-M0+, up to 8 MB of embedded flash, and 1 MB of […]
Multi-core MCUs feature neural processing, security subsystem units
NXP Semiconductors has announced the MCX N94x and MCX N54x, the first families in the N series of the new MCX microcontroller portfolio. Designed to simplify design for secure intelligent edge applications, including IoT and industrial applications, the MCX N features the first instantiation of NXP’s proprietary Neural Processing Unit (NPU) and an integrated EdgeLock […]
Wi-Fi 11b/g/n+ MCU module features Arm Cortex-M4F MCU
Murata Power Solutions announced the availability of its new Type ABR Wi-Fi 11b/g/n+MCU module with PCB antenna. Based on NXP Semiconductor’s 88MW320 wireless microcontroller, the product supports Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n up to 72.2Mbps PHY data rate with an integrated 200MHz Arm Cortex-M4F MCU for host-side applications. The module offers a complete network controller solution via a […]
Cortex-M4 MCUs sport built-in op amps for motor control tasks
ARTERY Technology launched the brand-new AT32F4212 series value-line Cortex-M4 MCUs that are designed with dual built-in operating amplifiers (OPA) based on AT32F421 MCUs to effectively simplify circuit design and save material cost. With functions of current amplification and short circuit protection, the OPA can be used for current detection, field-oriented control (FOC), or line current […]
Gallery: Cool tech on display at NXP technology days 2022
NXP puts on its technology days event in several cities to familiarize design engineers with trends in new technology and design practices. We got a chance to visit the event in the Detroit area where it had a heavy automotive feel. Though the main focus for the two-day Detroit event was automotive technology, there were […]
Arm Cortex-M4F-based PIC MCU includes integrated BLE
Wireless connectivity has become a mandatory feature for many products but often increases the cost and complexity of system design since it generally must be added as part of the larger application. Microchip Technology Inc. is introducing its first Arm Cortex-M4F-based PIC microcontroller (MCU) family that solves this wireless connectivity design challenge by integrating Bluetooth […]
What do MCUs have that FPGAs don’t?
Microcontroller units (MCUs) have a computer processor unit (CPU) core, various types of memory, input/output (I/O) functions, and a range of integrated peripherals. Field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) don’t have any of these features and consist of many configurable (or programmable) logic blocks, with a programmable interconnect overlay surrounded by numerous general purpose I/Os (GPIOs). […]
Factors to consider when selecting an MCU
Selecting the MCU is an important activity when starting a new project. Underspecify the MCU, and performance suffers; over-specify it, and the budget suffers. In either case, suffering is unwanted and unnecessary. It’s prevented by taking a thoughtful and thorough approach to MCU selection. This FAQ begins with a review of the baseline performance numbers […]
Advanced graphics accelerator added to 32-bit MCUs
STMicroelectronics has released version 4.20 of its TouchGFX user-interface design software for STM32 microcontrollers. The latest updates include support for ST’s new NeoChrom graphics accelerator, which is integrated into advanced MCUs such as the new STM32U5 series. Developed from ST’s Chrom-ART Accelerator that manipulates pixels and shapes, NeoChrom allows full-screen rotation at any angle and supports […]