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Ceva has developed an AI processor intellectual property (IP) that is specifically designed for System-on-Chips (SoCs) that need to run TinyML models. The IP comes in two versions: NPN32 with 32 int8 MACs and NPN64 with 64 int8 MACs. Both versions benefit from Ceva-NetSqueeze, which allows for direct processing of compressed model weights. The NPN32 is optimized for TinyML workloads targeting voice, audio, object detection, and anomaly detection, while the NPN64 provides 2x performance acceleration and is suitable for more complex on-device AI tasks such as object classification, face detection, speech recognition, and health monitoring. The IP includes sufficient hardware for neural network compute, feature extraction, running control code, and running DSP code without the need for an external microcontroller. Ceva's associated AI stack, NeuPro Studio, works with AI inference frameworks like TFLM and μTVM. [Extracted from the article]

This article from Electronics Weekly provides brief summaries of various new products in the electronics industry. Arrow Electronics has developed a vehicle-to-grid data communication evaluation module, while OMC has launched a fiber optic transceiver shield for Arduino Uno. Nisshinbo Micro Devices has released a series of industrial 5V analog front end ICs, and Cree LED has introduced a high-lumen multi-die LED for portable lighting. Recom has developed a series of single-output ACDC mains power supplies, and Stackpole has created a family of resistors for accurate high-voltage measurement. [Extracted from the article]

This article compares the use of real-time operating systems (RTOS) and Linux for embedded systems projects. FreeRTOS is a popular RTOS used on microcontrollers, offering deterministic behavior and a small footprint. Embedded Linux, on the other hand, is widely used and offers more flexibility and a larger pool of software options. The choice between the two depends on factors such as memory management, development effort, flexibility, debugging capabilities, and support. Ultimately, the decision should be based on the specific project's requirements, development capabilities, cost, power consumption, response time, time-critical tasks, support, and future expansion. [Extracted from the article]

Littelfuse has developed an optically isolated photovoltaic gate driver called FDA117 for mosfets and IGBTs. This gate driver allows a microcontroller to switch a large load on and off across a significant potential difference. It has an input to output isolation of 5kVrms and can generate approximately 13.3V with a 5mA drive. The output current and voltage are temperature dependent, and the gate driver is suitable for use in various industries such as industrial, energy, building automation, and smart homes. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the challenge of finding an appropriate interface between a microcontroller (MCU) and a 12V or 24V blower fan. The MCU can only drive 3.3V or 5V, while the blower fan requires a voltage as low as ~3V and as high as 12V or 24V. The author explores different circuit options, including using an op-amp and transistor or mosfet, and discusses a circuit from ADI that uses a current mirror and buffer transistor. The article also suggests using an internal digital feedback loop with PWM ratios to control the fan speed. The author concludes that using a cheap op-amp may be the most practical solution. [Extracted from the article]

Renesas has announced that it will be using chiplets in its next generation of automotive System-on-Chips (SoCs). The chiplets, which are smaller die that can be combined inside multi-die packages, increase product yield and allow for the combination of die made on differently-optimized processes and from different manufacturers. Renesas also plans to introduce software and tool-compatible automotive microcontrollers. The company's 5th generation 'R-Car' product range, which will be Arm-based, will offer a wider range of processing capabilities and higher AI performance compared to its 4th generation ICs. Additionally, Renesas will be introducing R-Car 'Next MCU' microcontrollers for simple control tasks and a 'Crossover MCU' to bridge the performance gap between the microcontrollers and the 5th gen R-Car SoCs. Renesas also plans to offer a virtual software development environment to align with the auto industry's shift towards earlier software testing. [Extracted from the article]

Silicon Labs has developed a family of 8-bit microcontrollers based on its 8051-based CIP-51 core, which can run at 50MHz. The BB5 family of microcontrollers offers voltage options from 1.8V to 5.5V, making them suitable for long-term use on a coin-cell battery. The family comes in different sizes, with BB51 and BB52 offering additional GPIOs and increased analog functionality. The main difference between the sub-families lies in the analog peripherals, with BB2 being the most feature-rich. The CIP-51 core supports standard 8051 organization and peripherals, as well as additional custom peripherals and functions. The microcontrollers also include power management modes, debug logic, interrupt handler extensions, and security features. [Extracted from the article]

Renesas has begun shipping its Arm Cortex-M85 based microcontrollers, which were announced earlier this year. The initial parts, known as the RA8M1 group, are general purpose and come with various specifications including a 480MHz Cortex-M85 processor, 1-2MB of program flash, 12KB of data flash, 1MB of SRAM, and features such as octal SPI, CAN-FD, Ethernet, USB, and a 16-bit camera interface. Renesas claims that these microcontrollers are the most powerful in the world, offering high performance and low-latency real-time operation. The inclusion of Arm's Helium vector extensions allows for faster DSP and machine-learning algorithms. Security is also a priority, with the microcontrollers designed for various certifications and featuring secure boot and tamper protection. The microcontrollers also implement power-saving features. [Extracted from the article]

Nordic Semiconductor has developed a wireless microcontroller, the nRF54L15, that supports Bluetooth, Thread, and Matter protocols. The microcontroller features a 128MHz Arm Cortex-M33 processor, 1.5Mbyte of non-volatile memory, and 256kbyte of RAM. It offers double the processing power of the previous model while reducing power consumption. The microcontroller is designed for PSA Level 3 certification with built-in security features, including secured boot, firmware update and storage, and integrated tamper sensors. Nordic Semiconductor has also implemented a global real-time clock peripheral to enable power-saving features and extend battery life. The nRF54L15 is currently in the sampling phase and will be available in different package options. [Extracted from the article]

The article talks about 32 bit Microcontroller Families and mentions that Microchip's families of 32-bit microcontrollers accelerate a vast array of embedded designs ranging from the secured Internet of Things (IoT) applications to general-purpose embedded control. Most Comprehensive 32-bit MCU Solutions for a Wide Range of Applications and description of SAMD, SAML and SAMC and PIC32MX1/2/5 and PIC32MM and SAM4 and SAMG Series are mentioned.

The article presents the author's views on the importance of wireless sensor nodes (WSN) in enabling the Internet of Things. WSNs are sensor-based devices operating independently which monitor conditions such as temperature and can be powered using solar technology. Also discussed are the required hardware components of WSN, the user interface, and the role of microcontrollers in the nodes.

An interview with Randall Restle, the vice-president for applications engineering at electronic components distributor Digi-Key, is presented. Topics include Digi-Key's stocks of microcontrollers from different suppliers, the use of 32-bit microcontrollers in the internet and large software libraries, and the services offered by Digi-Key to help consumers select and use the most suitable microcontroller for their projects.

Microchip's latest power mosfet drivers have low input threshold voltages which allows them to be used with low voltage microcontrollers such as the supplier's own PIC microcontrollers and dsPIC digital [...]

Toshiba has added two ARM Cortex-M4F-based TX04 series microcontrollers which are capable of operating two brushless DC motors simultaneously. The TMPM470FDFG and TMPM475FDFG incorporate two modules, each containing a programmable [...]

Renesas Electronics has announced the availability of the RL78/I1D range of microcontrollers incorporating analogue peripheral functions for sensing applications designed for integration into detectors that sense minute variations in the [...]

Microchip Technology thinks designers should not, and are not giving up on the 8-bit microcontroller. The 8-bit supremo and PIC supplier believes sophisticated motor control does not always need a [...]

Allegro Microsystems supplies low noise block (LNB) regulator ICs for providing the power and interface signals to an LNB down converter via coaxial cable in satellite TV receivers systems. With [...]

I built a clock once, using a PIC microcontroller that ran for a year on a CR2032 lithium cell. And, the newer AVR-DA, DB and DD series also have 32kHz internal oscillators, with consumption similar to the 1-Series (DD figures not yet released). [Extracted from the article]

Once again I find that I have had my head in the sand, missing out on the multi-voltage IO that Microchip introduced with its "DB" range of AVR microcontrollers in 2020. While the processor and the rest of the IO can work at any supply voltage between 1.8V and 5.5V, the MVIO can work at the same voltage, or any different voltage between 1.8V and 5.5V. [Extracted from the article]

A chart is presented which lists the families of PIC32 microcontrollers from semiconductor manufacturer Microchip Technology Inc.

The article offers information on the PIC32 microcontrollers from semiconductor manufacturer Microchip Technology Inc.

Fuzz testing architectures Two different fuzz testing architectures are directed fuzzing, where fuzz vectors are specified by an engineer before the test, and coverage-guided fuzz testing, where the fuzz tool begins with an initial set of test vectors and automatically mutates them, based on how well packets penetrate the code. Any newly discovered bugs would be fixed in the local branch so that the testing could continue without the new bugs blocking additional bug discovery. Fuzz bugs also tend to be blocking bugs because they often mask additional bugs further down the code path. [Extracted from the article]

Microchip has added a D-to-A converter and power handling peripherals to its latest 8-bit microcontrollers. But the PIC range is more than just 8-bit these days and the company has [...]

Freescale Semiconductor has announced the first in a range of multicore automotive microcontrollers, its most powerful for this market. The Qorivva 32-bit MPC5676R MCU offers four times the performance and [...]

Microchip Technology says it is committed to supporting its 16-bit processors and has announced 60 MIPS 16-bit dsPIC Digital Signal Controllers (DSCs) and PIC24 microcontrollers (MCUs). The message from the [...]

Fujitsu Microelectronics is switching investment from leading-edge process technology to spend more on product design and developing silicon intellectual property. Dr Joji Murakami, president of Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe, described the [...]

11nov09GeirFA¸rre.jpg Geir FA¸rre, CEO of Energy Micro talks to EW about the company which has just launched its first semiconductor product, a very low power ARM Cortex-M3-based microcontroller 1. How […]

Texas Instruments has been quick to follow up its acquisition of ARM Cortex-M3 microcontroller firm Luminary Micro with the launch of four development kits supporting the fourth generation of the […]

Texas Instruments has acquired ARM Cortex-M3-based microcontroller supplier Luminary Micro - a move which represents a major push in to the ARM processor-based 32-bit microcontroller market. The acquisition will strengthen […]

Jean Anne Booth, chief marketing officer at Luminary Micro, the supplier of 32-bit microcontrollers based on the ARM Cortex-M3 processor core, talks about the 32-bit MCU market, the impact of […]

Renesas Technology believes the need for intelligent motor control in new types of energy-efficient systems will push the adoption of 32-bit microcontrollers for motor drive circuits. Energy-saving motor controller design […]

05mar08ST.jpg by Richard Wilson Despite the growing interest in 32-bit microcontroller designs, STMicroelectronics believes there is potential to extend the use of lower cost 8-bit MCUs, and the strategy seems […]

Just want to record this one for Gadget Master - the industrial-focused Arduino Portenta family has a new member: the Portenta H7 Lite Connected. Arduino writes: "The Portenta H7 Lite Connected offers two-fold functionality: it can run either like any other embedded microcontroller board, or as the main processor of an embedded computer." Both processors share all the in-chip peripherals and can run Arduino sketches on top of the Arm Mbed OS Native Mbed applications, MicroPython /JavaScript via an interpreter and TensorFlow Lite for machine learning. [Extracted from the article]

Onsemi has introduced a Bluetooth wireless microcontroller, which has topped the charts on two of EEMBC's benchmarks. The SDK also has drivers, libraries and two mobile apps: RSL15 central for iOS and Android; and RSL FOTA for iOS and Android. Aimed at connected devices in industrial and medical applications, the associated software development has sample applications that demonstrate enabling the cybersecurity, acquiring sensor data in smart sense mode, configuring built-in power management and using its Bluetooth Low Energy transceiver. [Extracted from the article]

12dec07STM1 12dec07STM2 Recent developments in microcontroller technology mean that 32-bit products for embedded applications can no longer be considered 'specialised' or 'difficult'. Importantly, with costs for both microcontrollers (MCUs) and […]

Rutronik has extended its distribution agreement with fellow German company Infineon Technologies to include the UK, Ireland, Spain and Portugal. According to Jezel Hardern, Rutronik? country manager for the UK […]

Cambridge-based microprocessor-maker Cyan Technology has donated 100 of its eCOG1 1-bit MCU development kits to the University of Essex department of computer science. ?As well as helping us to expand […]

Freescale has launched a family of low cost 16bit microcontrollers for automotive applications. The MC9S12XS family is a stripped-down version of the S12/S12X family that sells over 100m units a […]

By Alex Mayhew-Smith alex.mayhew-smith@rbi.co.uk CML Microsystems has seen its flash controller sales grow to 50 per cent of its entire business in the last year as the firm reported turnover […]

By Steve Bush steve.bush@rbi.co.uk Ramtron has introduced a 8051 microcontroller with 8kbyte of on-board FRAM. The MCU also has flash memory, so why the FRAM? 'FRAM can take endless write-erase […]

Near-field communications (NFC) embedded in mobile phones is becoming a crucial technology, enabling users to perform a variety of secure transactions via their handset, according to IBM. 'All your mobile […]

In today's fast moving world, products have become more sophisticated, while at the same time the life cycle has become shorter and the market has become even more price sensitive. […]

Freescale is sampling its first flash-based ColdFire microcontrollers with Ethernet, with USB On-The-Go to follow. Aimed at industrial control and home automation, the MCF5223x family includes 10/100 Ethernet control and […]

Harry Yeates harry.yeates@rbi.co.uk ARM has released the latest version of its RealView development suite, adding features to support hardware-software co-design in Asic, SoC and FPGA designs. Brian McAllister, director of […]

By Steve Bush steve.bush@rbi.co.uk Configurable processor firm Tensilica has produced six fixed-function synthesisable processors: four microcontrollers and two digital signal processors, all aimed at specific market segments. 'These are six […]

Cyan Technology will be demonstrating the latest version of CyanIDE, the free integrated development environment to support software development for its microcontrollers. This version will fully support all the features […]

Renesas Technology Europe claims its 'flagship' SH708xF series of 32-bit Risc microcontrollers have the world's fastest embedded flash technology, offering 12.5ns access time. The devices operate at 80MHz with no […]

Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe will be demonstrating electronic stability at Embedded World, combining its FlexRay, gyro and 32-bit MCU devices in an application for the automotive and industrial control markets. An […]

Mark Bowles founder and vice-president ?of business development ?and marketing, ?Staccato Communications One mega trend that will emerge this year is that low-cost low-power radios will follow embedded controllers into […]