MCUs enable intuitive UIs in wearables & smart devices

Paving the way to enabling smart objects, such as wearable fitness aids or intelligent home appliances, the product line combines leading real-time processing performance with extended connectivity to deliver to these applications the benefit of software ecosystems such as application stores that are increasingly part of everyday life.

At the heart of the product line is a powerful 32-bit low-power ARM Cortex-M4 MCU core augmented by the Chrom-ART Acceleratorand ART Accelerator that speed up graphics and real-time processing as well as access to the MCU’s programme memories. Through the combination of the accelerators and the MIPI-DSI interface, the MCU performs the demanding real-time system control, monitoring and application tasks that would otherwise require even more powerful - and more power-hungry - processors.

Equally importantly, the MCUs exploit ST’s long history of leadership in both minimising the power consumption of its circuits and packing these complex electronic circuits into the smallest possible physical space. Minimising power extends operating time without a battery recharge, and shrinking circuits allows equipment makers to meet the ever-increasing consumer demand for smaller and lighter products.

“Smartphones and tablets have given consumers across the world an expectation of high graphics performance, along with intuitive user interfaces and ease of use for activities such as instantly downloading and running apps,” says Michel Buffa, General Manager, MCU Division, STMicroelectronics. “Till now, equipment has often sacrificed graphics processing to meet the demands of real-time application processing. These new microcontrollers enable IoT products that meet today’s user expectations while remaining within the strict power, cost, and size constraints of applications that rely on embedded mMCUs.”

The STM32F479 devices also include an embedded cryptographic co-processor for applications where high security is required. The STM32F469/479 MCUs are sampling now to lead customers and volume production is scheduled for Q3 2015. Budgetary pricing starts at $8.29 for the STM32F469AEH6 with 512KB Flash Memory in the BGA 169 package in volumes of 10K units.