Microcontrollers integrate hardware-based security features

The microcontrollers are based on a 32-bit Arm Cortex-M7 core with double-precision floating point unit (FPU), up to 2Mbytes of flash, and 1Mbyte of RAM.

They integrate hardware-based security features including a True Random-Number Generator (TRNG) and advanced cryptographic processor, which will simplify protecting embedded applications and global Internet of Things (IoT) systems against attacks.

To enable secure firmware loading, security keys and software services on the microcontroller permit OEMs to provide manufacturing partners with already encrypted firmware, eliminating the possibility of intercepting, copying, or tampering with the code.

This enables programming and authenticating the device to establish the root-of-trust mechanism needed for the device to be connected to the end-user’s network and remotely updated over the air (OTA) to apply security patches or feature upgrades throughout the lifetime of the device.

The devices offer improved performance through the Chrom-ART Accelerator for fast and efficient graphical user-interfaces, a hardware JPEG codec that allows high-speed image manipulation, highly efficient Direct Memory Access (DMA) controllers, and the L1 cache allowing full-speed interaction with off-chip memory.

Multiple power domains allow engineers to minimise the energy consumed by their applications, while plentiful inputs and outputs (I/Os), communication interfaces, and audio and analogue peripherals can address a wide range of entertainment, remote-monitoring, and control applications.