MCUs add secure boot & messaging capabilities

The LPC18Sxx and LPC43Sxx MCU families are well suited for any 'connected' application, particularly hubs or gateways, tasked with relaying and/or bridging large volumes of high-speed data. These functions are common in products such as smart meter communications hubs, factory, building, and home automation devices, streaming audio products and automotive aftermarket.

Both LPC18Sxx and LPC43Sxx families integrate an AES-128 encryption engine for fast, secure bulk message transfers; two 128-bit non-volatile OTP memories for encrypted, hardware-randomised key storage to prevent cloning; a true random number generator for unique key creation; and boot ROM drivers supporting secure boot of authenticated encrypted firmware images. The MCUs in both families use high-performance Cortex-M cores (Cortex-M3/LPC18Sxx, LPC43Sxx/Cortex-M4 & M0) ensuring ample bandwidth for fast bulk data encryption or decryption without slowing down communications. They also include Code Read Protection (CRP) to prevent unauthorised access to internal Flash.

The LPC43Sxx and LPC18Sxx MCUs anchor a spectrum of secure connectivity solutions from NXP. Both families are supported by software solutions from ecosystem partners for secure firmware updates, secure IoT connectivity, and secure networking stacks (SSL, TLS). In addition these MCUs can be seamlessly paired with an NXP A-Series secure element for a turnkey solution to add tamper detection, secure authentication with hardware-accelerated PKI (RSA and ECC keys), secure certificate storage and more.

Like all LPC MCUs, the LPC43Sxx and LPC18Sxx families are supported by the LPC developers’ ecosystem. This provides an extensive collection of tools, drivers and middleware, as well as popular forums in constant use by a highly engaged community of embedded developers. To enable developers to bring secure, connected products to market quickly, LPCXpresso evaluation boards are available for both families. Each includes an LPC MCU and NXP A7001CM secure element as well as numerous connectivity and development/debugging interfaces. Together with the LPCXpresso IDE or third-party tool-chain support, plus free LPCOpen drivers and example code, these boards provide a complete low-cost evaluation/development platform.

An LPC43S37-based development platform, available in Q2, will help designers implement a range of secure connectivity solutions for IoT, Industry 4.0, consumer and other applications. The platform combines the MCU, security software from ecosystem partners, an NXP A-Series secure element and supports connectivity features including Ethernet and WiFi.

“The tremendous growth in 'connected things' has begun and will accelerate exponentially in the coming years,” said Ross Bannatyne, General Manager, Mass Market Product Line, Microcontroller Business Line, NXP. “With increased connectivity comes risk, and developers now need to understand and defend against threats to the code and data messages. The LPC18S and LPC43S MCU families help embedded developers protect connected applications from these threats, whether they are used standalone, with security solutions from software partners, or paired with an NXP A-Series secure element.”

“The IoT must be built from the ground up with security in mind,” added Tom Mudryk, Technical Director, ESL Smart Solutions. “Working with NXP and Cypherbridge, we have created a secure IoT solution that offers our customers a valuable yet convenient service, whilst maintaining data security and integrity. We selected NXP’s LPC1800 series for our gateway product because of its vast connectivity options and integrated LCD driver, and of course the new integrated security features provide that extra layer of protection.”

Parts in both MCU families will be available in multiple sizes of LQFP and BGA packages. They are available now with pricing starting at USD $3 in 4,000 quantities. The LPCXpresso18S37 and LPCXPresso43S37 evaluation boards are available through NXP-authorised distributors.