Micros
MCU additions offer 256KB Flash & 83DMIPS
Microchip has announced a series within its PIC32MX1/2 32-bit MCU family that features a 256KB Flash configuration and 16KB of RAM in small-footprint packages. These latest additions to the MCU family provide flexibility to low-cost applications that need complex algorithms and application code, and they are coupled with Microchip’s comprehensive software and tools for designs in graphics, touch sensing and general-purpose em...
MCU sales growth slows despite unit shipments increase
According to IC Insights’ Mid-Year Update to its 2015 McClean Report on the IC industry, MCUs are in the middle of an incredible wave of unit growth, but unprecedented price erosion is keeping a lid on the increase of revenues. The mid-year forecast shows MCU shipments rising 33% in 2015 to 25.4bn units worldwide as a result of a tremendous upsurge in units for smartcards and 32-bit applications - many of which are aimed at the IoT market.
ARM Cortex M0+ MCUs feature segment LCD controller
Expanding its family of secure, ARM Cortex M0+-based MCUs, Atmel has announced the SAM L22 series. These devices offer an ultra-low power capacitive touch with a segment LCD controller that can deliver up to 320 segments, making them suitable for low-power applications such as thermostats, electric/gas/water meters, home control, medical and access systems.
ARM-powered MCUs arrive with development kit
The STM32F7 series 32-bit microcontrollers and the STM32F746G Discovery Kit from ST Microelectronics are now being shipped by distributor Mouser Electronics. With ART Accelerator as well as an L1 cache, the microcontrollers deliver the maximum theoretical performance of the ARM Cortex‑M7, whether code is executed from embedded Flash or external memory.
Automotive MCU compiler receives major update
Altium has announced the release of a major update to its TASKING compiler for TriCore/AURIX MCUs which power advanced automotive applications. This release supports next-gen Infineon TriCore technologies and enables engineers to begin early development on advanced automotive applications before the AURIX family line is released publicly.
MCUs supported by starter kit, evaluation boards
The STM32F7 series of very high performance MCUs with ARM Cortex-M7 core from ST Microelectronics is now available at distributor Rutronik with a starter kit and two evaluation boards. With ST’s ART Accelerator and an L1 cache, the STM32F7 MCUs deliver the full performance of the ARM Cortex-M7 core with code executed from either embedded Flash memory or an external memory.
8-bit MCUs feature core-independent peripherals
Expanding its growing portfolio of 8-bit PIC MCUs, Microchip has announced two families with Core-Independent Peripherals (CIPs) which combine to perform functions autonomously, without the core. This allows the 8-bit devices to be used in a broader range of applications, such as LED lighting, motor control, wearables, consumer electronics, IoT and safety-critical systems.
World’s highest-performing ARM Cortex-M7 based MCUs
Atmel has announced that its shipping what it claimed to be the highest performing ARM Cortex-M based MCUs on the market, the Atmel | SMART SAM S70 and E70 series. With 50% higher performance than the closest competitor, larger configurable SRAM, larger embedded Flash and high-bandwidth peripherals, these devices offer the suitable mix of connectivity, memory and performance. The SAM S70 and E70 series allow customers to scale-up performance and ...
The world's youngest 'cyborg'
A 15 year-old boy claims to be the world’s youngest ‘cyborg’ after implanting a microchip into his hand. Byron Wake, of Martock, Somerset, used a hypodermic needle to implant the device. The transponder, which is the size of a grain of rice, works by using NFC which emits a low power radio-frequency signature that triggers pre-programmed events. Since implanting the microchip, Wake has used it to unlock his phone and control its...
IoT a target for high performance microcontroller
The STM32F7 MCU series from ST Microelectronics, a microcontroller that features the 32-bit ARM Cortex-M7 processor is in stock at distributor RS Components. The Cortex-M7 is the latest high performance processor core in the Cortex-M family and has been designed for use in advanced consumer, industrial, medical and Internet of Things (IoT) devices.