MCU comes with custom NPU capable of 600 GOPS

It allows machine learning applications that demanded an accelerated microprocessor to now run on an MCU.

The microcontrollers, available now from Anglia Components, extend the STM32 high performance portfolio and offer enhanced edge AI capability.

They are based on the Arm Cortex-M55 running at 800 MHz, which is the first CPU to introduce Arm Helium vector processing technology, bringing DSP processing capability to a standard CPU.

The STM32N6 is also the first STM32 MCU to embed the ST Neural-ART accelerator, STMicroelectronics in-house developed neural processing unit (NPU) engineered for power-efficient edge AI applications. Clocked at 1 GHz and providing up to 600 GOPS, it enables real-time neural network inference for computer vision and audio applications.

A dedicated computer vision pipeline with a MIPI CSI-2 interface and image signal processing (ISP) ensures compatibility with a wide range of cameras, the MCUs also feature a H264 hardware encoder and the NeoChrom Accelerator for graphics, making it suitable for feature-rich products.

Offering 4.2 Mbytes of contiguous embedded RAM, the STM32N6 family is ideal for neural networks or graphics applications, complemented by high-speed external memory interfaces (hexa-SPI, OCTOSPI, FMC).

The MCU also offers advanced security features, meeting the latest standards with target SESIP level 3 and PSA level 3 certifications.

It is supported by the NUCLE-N657X0-Q development board, which provides an affordable and flexible way for users to try out new concepts and build prototypes by choosing from the various combinations of performance and power consumption features, provided by the STM32N6 microcontroller.

The development board features a ST Zio connector, which extends the ARDUINO® Uno V3 connectivity, and the onboard ST morpho headers provide an easy means of expanding the functionality of the Nucleo open development platform with a wide choice of specialized shields.

Furthermore, the STM32 Nucleo-144 board does not require any separate probe as it integrates the ST-LINK debugger/programmer. It comes with the STM32 comprehensive free software libraries and examples available with the STM32Cube MCU Package.

STMicroelectronics also provide a comprehensive ecosystem of software tools that greatly facilitate and optimize the creation of new AI-enabled applications with the STM32N6. It starts with ST EdgeAI Suite, a repository of free software tools, use cases, and documentation that help developers create AI for the Intelligent Edge, regardless of their experience level. ST Edge AI Suite also includes tools like the Edge AI Developer Cloud, which features dedicated neural networks in their STM32 model zoo, a board farm for real-world benchmarking, and more.

STMicroelectronics has gone to great efforts to ensure that engineers can work with existing frameworks. It developed a core technology (ST Edge AI Core) for optimizing and converting neural networks from popular AI frameworks to take full advantage of the Neural-ART accelerator.

Additionally, the STMicroelectronics ecosystem also aims to bolster collaboration with numerous hardware and software partners, and they are continually working on integration into wider ecosystems.

For instance, developers can use STM32Cube.AI in conjunction with NVIDIA TAO Toolkit, the AWS STM32 ML at the Edge Accelerator, or experience STMicroelectronics model zoo on Hugging Face, which is hosting an increasing number of STM32 AI content.

The embedded power of the STM32N6x7 MCU family makes it suitable for a wide range of next generation applications including Smart Industry, Smart Homes, Smart Cities, Automotive, Consumer Devices, Audio/Video, Machine Vision, Wearables and Healthcare Devices.

Available in six different package options ranging from 142 to 264 pins and from 0.4 mm to 0.8 mm pitch, the STM32N6x7 family has an industrial operating temperature range of -40°C to +125°C, making it suitable for harsh environments.

Anglia are offering customers a FREE development board and samples of the STM32N6x7 MCU family with integrated NPU from STMicroelectronics