Microprocessors

Microchip has upped the security of a family of PIC18 microcontrollers by adding a one-time disable to its programming and debugging interface. Called PDID (programming and debugging interface disable), “when enabled, this enhanced code protection feature is designed to lock out access to the programming-debugging interface and block unauthorised attempts to read, modify or erase firmware”, according to Microchip. The ...

Renesas has revamped the high-accuracy analogue front-end in its 32bit RX microcontrollers. Implemented in RX23E-B MCUs, the 24bit ΔΣ ADC, depending on configuration, can now convert at up to 125ksample/s – eight times faster than existing RX23E-A MCUs – or achieve a third of the noise – to 0.18µVrms at 1ksample/s. 24bit effective resolution can be achieved at 3.8sample/s. To go ...

Silicon Labs has built a family of 8bit microcontrollers around its 8051-based CIP-51 core, running at 50MHz. “The BB5 family supports voltage options from 1.8 to 5.5V, allowing them to last for years in the field on a coin-cell battery,” according to the company. “They also come in a variety of packing sizes, from 2 x 2mm for BB50, while ...

Renesas will be using chiplets in its next generation of automotive SoCs, and will add software and tool-compatible automotive microcontrollers. The company revealed this when announcing its 5th generation ‘R-Car’ product range, the first of which will be sampling late next year for cars shipping in 2027. Chiplets are simply die to be used inside multi-die packages. They increase product ...

Alif Semiconductor’s 32bit ‘Ensemble’ AI-enabled MCUs are now available, according to the company. Built around various Arm cores with added security to protect stored intellectual property, they are intended to run AI algorithms locally in battery-powered devices. “There are many Edge ML applications that require 50 to 250Gop/s to become useful,” said Alif marketing v-p Mark Rootz. “Typical 32bit MCUs ...

ST has announced a wireless microcontroller with the Bluetooth 5.3 LE software, initially in a 5 x 5mm QFN, and scheduled to be available in a ~2.8 x 3mm chip-scale package. STM32WB09 (right) is built around a single Arm Cortex-M0+ core and will support 2Mbit/s data, long range (coded PHY), advertising extensions, angle-of-arrival, angle-of-departure, LE data packet length extension and ...

Infineon has announced a family microcontrollers combining an Arm Cortex-M55 core (including ‘Helium’ DSP support), an Arm Ethos-U55 machine learning processor, and an Arm Cortex-M33 core, which has in-built security, paired with Infineon’s own ‘NNLite’ neural network accelerator. “Support for ‘always-on’ sensing and response makes the devices ideal for IoT and industrial segments such as smart home, security, wearables and ...

ST is trying harder to displace 8bit MCUs with its entry-level 32bit STM32C0 series by boosting flash to 128kbyte and adding a USB controller. The devices will be called STM32C071, are scheduled to arrive by mid-2024, to be followed by 256kbyte flash STM32C091 models sampling later that year. This is not to say that the company is deserting 8bit MCUs: ...

Calista Redmond is passionate about securing a strong hardware and software ecosystem for the open instruction set architecture and technology’s role in creating positive change. Interview by Caroline Hayes. Risc-V International promotes adoption of the open standard instruction set and an ecosystem of hardware and software. Calista says the momentum is international, with a strong balance of Risc-V development and ...

Mouser and Microchip  have produced an eBook highlighting the value propositions and use cases for 8-bit MCUs entitled The Mighty 8-Bit Microcontroller. In automotive applications, 8-bit MCUs can be preferred in vehicle subsystems because of their simplicity and efficiency, which help keep the design compact. Microchip offers solutions, such as select AVR EA MCUs, tailored to automotive applications and featuring compliance ...