Microcontroller series addresses mid-range applications

The STM32H5 MCU has cutting-edge security provided by STM32Trust TEE Security Manager for smart, connected devices.

The new MCUs contain the embedded core from Arm, the Cortex-M33, which blends high performance with security, energy efficiency, and affordability, to best address the mid-range class of MCU-based applications.

It is currently the world’s highest performing Cortex-M33 implementation, running at 250MHz and 375 DMIPS for an EEMBC CoreMark industry-reference score of 1023.

The STM32H5 series has been designed to accelerate innovation at scale for the new generation of smart, connected devices, which provide more intelligence “in the edge” and also strengthens defences against attacks on IoT assets. The Cortex-M33 core brings Arm’s TrustZone architecture.

Building on this, ST adds a range of its own security features, including some developed with ST Authorized Partner, ProvenRun.

The STM32H5 is said to be the first MCU series to come with system-on-chip (SoC) security services accessed via an industry-standard API.

This facility, called STM32Trust TEE Secure Manager, saves developers writing their own code while providing security services developed according to known best practice. It simplifies development while ensuring effective protection.

There are several variants within the series. The STM32H503 product line with128KB Flash, allows 250MHz computing capability in space- and cost-constrained applications.

The STM32H562 and STM32H563 product lines with up to 2MB Flash, rich connectivity, delivering 250MHz over the extended temperature range up to 125°C and the STM32H573 which includes AES cryptographic acceleration and security services.

STMicroelectronics says the MCUs challenge the perception that increased performance comes with power dissipation constraints for developers.

They improve energy efficiency by leveraging ST’s advanced 40nm CMOS process technology and improved on-chip power-conversion circuits.

With these MCUs, power dissipation is no longer a constraint when using a 250MHz device in harsh environments where the ambient temperature can reach 125°C.

In addition, STM32H5 MCUs are SIL-ready for products that must meet an appropriate safety integrity level (SIL), thanks to native hardware features that address a wide range of industrial and medical applications.

With its improved power-conversion circuits, the STM32H5 MCUs raise dynamic efficiency to 61µA/MHz in switched mode (SMPS) and 120µA/MHz running off the linear (LDO) converter (at VDD = 3.3V and 25°C) in Run mode with peripherals off.

Consistent with other STM32 MCUs, ST’s advanced peripherals are engineered for maximum efficiency, while precision power management lets developers optimise performance versus power consumption in all operating modes.

The STM32Trust TEE Secure Manager is developed with ProvenRun and powered by ProvenCore-M to ensure today’s highest security-assurance levels. The SoC security services provided include isolation, cryptography, key storage, and initial attestation.

The STM32H5 devices also provide in-ST factory pre-provisioning credentials for seamless registration to various cloud and OEM servers, multi-tenant IP protection, and remote pre-integrated 3rd party public key infrastructure (PKI) lifecycle management. In addition, the Kudelski IoT keySTREAM root of trust, from ST Authorized Partner Kudelski IoT, was pre-qualified on the STM32Trust TEE Secure Manager to allow remote credential lifecycle management services.

The MCU series is also included in STMicroelectronics 10-year Longevity Program giving developers the reassurance to use the product in new designs.

To help users maximise its potential, ST has created a range of cost effective and dedicated development kits, NUCLEO-H503RB, NUCLEO-H563ZI and STM32H573I-DK with examples showing how to use the security services and integrated all the necessary software tools and support in the STM32Cube development ecosystem.

The NUCLEO-H563ZI development board features the 144-pin STM32H563ZI MCU with USB and Ethernet connectivity, Arduino uno IF, and more. The NUCLEO-H503RB development board features the 64-pin STM32H503RB MCU supporting USB and Arduino uno IF.

The STM32Cube MCU Package for the STM32H5 series can be used for HAL, Low-Layer APIs and CMSIS, USB, TCP/IP, file system, RTOS, graphics and brings examples running on ST boards.

Available in a wide choice of packages and pin counts, the devices feature a standard operating temperature range of -40°C to +85°C with industrial temperature range of -40°C to 125 °C also available as an option.

Typical applications for the new MCUs include air conditioning systems, appliances, and alarm systems, industrial programmable logic controllers (PLCs), motor controls, industrial pumps, communication gateways, lighting controls, and energy conversion. They are also suitable for use in consumer products such as PC peripherals, smartphones, and accessories.

Anglia are offering customers a FREE evaluation board and samples of the STM32H5 MCU series from STMicroelectronics