Introduction
Currently, the “MCU+” strategy has become one of the important development strategies for semiconductor companies, aiming to enhance product competitiveness and market value through the functional expansion and integrated innovation of microcontroller units (MCUs). For domestic semiconductor manufacturers, the “MCU+” strategy is also an important means to achieve differentiated competition.
In this transformation, as a high-performance and high-reliability analog and mixed-signal chip company, Naxin Micro is reshaping its role in the industry chain with the “MCU+” strategy, bringing comprehensive scene empowerment value to terminal customers.
Based on the “MCU+X” Innovation Model
Redefining the Core of Intelligent Control
According to statistics from Frost & Sullivan, the global MCU market size is expected to reach $33.8 billion in 2024; with increasing downstream demand, it is projected to further grow to $37 billion by 2025.
Major MCU manufacturers are actively implementing the “MCU+” strategy, but there are significant differences in specific details. In traditional “MCU+” solutions, MCUs often exist as standalone chips, while the “+” part is mostly external discrete components. Although the integration level has improved, such solutions still belong to discrete types, and system stability is limited by the compatibility between devices, requiring customers to bear additional software development costs.
Naxin Micro’s Technical Marketing Manager, Gao Feng, stated in a recent external interview: “The ‘MCU+’ is not a concept created by Naxin Micro, but through the ‘MCU+X’ innovation model, we have upgraded this concept from ‘peripheral device pairing’ to the definition of ‘intelligent control core’—relying on the technical accumulation of self-developed IP across all categories, Naxin Micro deeply integrates the MCU controller core with mature IPs such as analog chips, sensors, communication interfaces, and power management, achieving a system-level breakthrough of ‘one chip replacing multiple discrete chips.’“
This positioning of creating an intelligent control core with a single chip is precisely where Naxin Micro differentiates itself in executing the “MCU+” strategy. Taking the NSUC1610 chip launched in 2023 as an example, this product integrates four half-bridge drivers, a LIN interface transceiver, a power management PMIC, and an MCU core on a single chip, capable of directly driving automotive electronic water valves, electronic expansion valves, and other actuators, truly achieving a single chip solution for a subsystem.
At the same time, to enhance the usability of single-chip solutions, Naxin Micro focuses on achieving deep coupling of algorithms and hardware design. For instance, the ultrasonic radar probe chip NSUC1800, launched by Naxin Micro in August this year, solidifies software algorithms into the chip design, providing optimal solutions for specific application scenarios—on the hardware side, it addresses near-field signal saturation issues through variable gain control in the analog front end, and tackles signal attenuation challenges with a low-noise link and an on-chip 18-bit high-precision ADC; on the software side, it generates adaptive prediction thresholds through near-field detection algorithms (NFD) to accurately identify echo signals, achieving a larger detection dynamic range.
Therefore, Gao Feng emphasized that Naxin Micro’s “MCU+” product positioning focuses on addressing actual application needs and scene pain points, achieving an upgrade from solving individual product issues to building an ecosystem.
Always Demand-Driven
Empowering Terminal Scene Innovation
The different strategic significances imply that Naxin Micro’s “MCU+” product design needs to address various challenges, including precise capture of requirements during the product definition phase, technical challenges of self-developed IP across all categories, diversity challenges of control algorithms, and optimization challenges of EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) and EMI (electromagnetic interference). Gao Feng provided a detailed interpretation of this.
How to Accurately Capture Customer Needs
Single-chip solutions must deeply understand customer application scenarios during the product definition phase, which is a necessary prerequisite. Moreover, jointly defining products with customers has become a competitive barrier for Naxin Micro’s “MCU+” products—adhering to the R&D logic of “coming from the scene and going back to the scene,” Naxin Micro’s “MCU+” products can match needs more accurately, forming an irreplaceable competitive advantage.
Gao Feng stated: “To create an ‘MCU+’ product that can help customers solve real problems, we need to deeply bind with customers in the early stages, achieving a balance between system costs and chip performance through joint chip definition and prototype verification. This ‘demand-research-validation’ closed-loop model not only helps us solve technical challenges but also forms a deep collaborative barrier with customers—our product definitions directly stem from the real scene pain points of customers, rather than mere technical stacking.”
At the same time, Naxin Micro’s “MCU+” products adhere to a sustainable R&D philosophy: by deeply binding with leading customers, capturing cutting-edge needs, developing customized products, and accumulating core technologies and scene experiences; then transforming these experiences into standardized reference designs (including chips, peripheral circuits, software SDKs, debugging tools, etc.), allowing customers to directly develop based on reference designs; and the feedback from a wide range of customers can further iterate customized products, forming a ‘customization-standardization-recustomization’ virtuous cycle.
The core behind this philosophy is: always being demand-driven.
Deepening Self-Developed IP Across All Categories
Single-chip solutions have high requirements for self-developed IP across all categories, and IP iteration must closely follow scene demands. Naxin Micro’s IP R&D and management framework revolves around the core principle of “reusing empowers innovation, and innovation feeds back to reuse,” ensuring efficient adaptation and continuous optimization for different application scenarios.
During the IP R&D phase, Naxin Micro focuses on core technologies while considering reusability and iterative compatibility; ‘core technology is self-controllable’ and ‘full-stack reuse capability design’ are two fundamental principles. For example, the ADC IP design considers compatibility for upgrading precision from 12 bits to 16 bits and 18 bits.
In the IP management phase, Naxin Micro categorizes IP into three types: basic IP, functional IP, and system IP: basic IP includes general analog modules such as operational amplifiers and reference sources, serving as the technical foundation for all “MCU+” products; functional IP includes high-precision ADCs, isolation drivers, communication interfaces, etc., designed for specific functional requirements; system IP includes motor control algorithm modules, ultrasonic radar signal processing modules, etc., aimed at complete application scenarios.
In the IP supply phase, Naxin Micro insists on self-developing and deeply customizing core IP (such as MCU core customization modules and exclusive algorithm IP) to ensure technology control and supply chain security; in non-core IP areas, Naxin Micro actively promotes collaborative innovation with domestic ecological partners to achieve localization and self-control of key IP; at the same time, it establishes a comprehensive IP intellectual property protection mechanism to protect core technologies through patents, copyrights, etc., and avoid IP leakage risks.
Diversity Adaptation of Control Algorithms
As a single-chip solution, “MCU+” products need to efficiently run a rich variety of algorithms. For example, in the field of motor drive, although “MCU+” is a unified product form, the application scenarios for motor drive vary greatly—just in automotive thermal management systems, there are various types of motors involved, including brushed DC motors, brushless DC motors (BLDC), stepper motors, etc., each with different control algorithms.
To address these challenges, Naxin Micro provides standardized firmware frameworks as the underlying system for products such as NSUC1610, NSUC1602, NSUC1612, and NSUC1500 adapted for ambient light applications, while also offering algorithm libraries and API callable interfaces to build a layered software system, allowing customers to flexibly call according to their needs.
Additionally, Naxin Micro provides end-to-end development toolchains (including compilers, debuggers, simulation tools, etc.), along with deep technical support collaboration and customization services. With these capabilities, Naxin Micro can meet the customized needs of large customers while also covering the standardized needs of niche markets, helping customers shorten project mass production cycles, while achieving a transition from “chip supplier” to “system partner.”
Systematic Optimization of EMC/EMI
As a highly integrated chip, Naxin Micro’s “MCU+” products systematically optimize EMC/EMI performance during the design phase to meet the electromagnetic compatibility requirements of high-integration solutions. In traditional discrete solutions, customers can optimize EMC/EMI performance by changing the selection of peripheral components; however, in a single-chip integrated solution, the EMC/EMI optimization requirements are concentrated on the “MCU+” main control chip, which requires Naxin Micro to incorporate EMC optimization into the design considerations from the early stages of chip R&D.
Gao Feng pointed out that excellent EMC performance of single-chip solutions is not achieved through later component selection or fault-tolerant debugging, but through systematic optimization during the chip architecture design and circuit layout phases, while also balancing performance and reliability, which poses a significant challenge to analog-digital mixed design capabilities.
The core of the transformation process for Naxin Micro’s “MCU+” products is ‘demand capture-technology matching-product definition-ecosystem implementation’, capturing scene pain points through deep communication with customers, matching technical solutions with self-developed IP resources, defining targeted products, and ultimately achieving ecosystem implementation through full-link support, forming a positive cycle between demand and products.
From Performance to Function
Interpreting the Journey from Scene to Scene
Looking back, the development of Naxin Micro’s “MCU+” products has been steady and progressive. The year 2023 marks the first year of the implementation of Naxin Micro’s “MCU+” strategy, launching the first motor control “MCU+” product NSUC1610, which integrates an Arm Cortex-M3 core, four half-bridge drivers, a LIN communication interface, and a PMIC power management module, directly solving the integrated needs of “control + drive” for electronic water valves, electronic expansion valves, etc., in automotive thermal management systems.
In 2024, Naxin Micro’s “MCU+” strategy enters a rapid expansion phase, extending from automotive single scenarios to industrial fields. First, based on NSUC1610, the NSUC1602 was launched, adopting a “SoC + external MOS” architecture, covering motor power levels from 20W to 1500W, suitable for higher power thermal management applications such as electronic water pumps, electronic oil pumps, and cooling fans.
Then, in November of the same year, Naxin Micro released the NSSine™ series NS800RT real-time control MCU, with initial models including NS800RT5039, NS800RT5049, and NS800RT3025, marking Naxin Micro’s transformation from a “supplier of analog chips” to a “provider of high-performance, high-reliability analog and mixed-signal solutions.”
In 2025, Naxin Micro’s “MCU+” products will continue to iterate: launching the NSUC1612 based on NSUC1602, optimizing performance and cost, further consolidating market position in thermal management scenarios; and introducing the NS800RT113x series, equipped with a 200MHz Cortex-M7 core, integrating an mMath mathematical accelerator, achieving “starting from a tax-inclusive price of 5 yuan” for high cost-performance ratio to realize “M7 equality”; at the same time, Naxin Micro is actively developing MCU+ solutions for humanoid robots, focusing on dexterous joint control and high-precision motor drive to meet the collaborative motion needs of embodied intelligence.
The transformation from “supplier of analog chips” to “provider of system solutions” is mainly reflected in two dimensions: first, the expansion of capability boundaries, extending from single analog devices to “analog + digital + algorithm” system-level solutions, which can not only provide customers with peripheral components but also delve into core control aspects of systems to address overall pain points; second, the upgrade of customer value, evolving from merely providing materials to participating in customer product definitions and ecosystem building, helping customers reduce system costs, shorten R&D cycles, and enhance product competitiveness, deepening the relationship from a transactional to a strategic partnership.
In the future, Naxin Micro aims to become a “full-category system solution provider”—not only able to provide a full-link chip product covering “perception-control-drive” but also based on a deep understanding of scenarios, offering customized, cost-effective system-level solutions, promoting the transformation of domestic semiconductors from functional realization to system efficiency enhancement.
Around this goal, Naxin Micro is also actively promoting the performance and functionality upgrades of “MCU+” products. In terms of performance, Naxin Micro will further expand the power coverage range of “MCU+” products: in response to the trend of automotive electronic architecture upgrading to 48V high-voltage systems, it is planning to adapt motor drive chip products for 48V systems to meet the high-voltage environment; at the same time, it focuses on improving the control accuracy and efficiency of “MCU+” products, for example, increasing the main frequency to 72MHz based on the Arm Cortex-M3 core while optimizing ADC sampling rates and precision to achieve more accurate control of motor speed and current; the driving circuit part will adopt more advanced processes to reduce conduction losses and improve energy utilization efficiency, adapting to the low-power requirements of new energy vehicles.
In terms of functionality expansion, Naxin Micro is jointly defining innovative products with customers that have “adaptive motor control” capabilities: by integrating automatic recognition algorithms for motor parameters into the chip, enabling automatic detection of motor impedance, inductance, back EMF coefficients, etc., after the chip is powered on, and matching optimal control strategies without requiring complex manual adjustments from customers, significantly lowering development thresholds. The core of this functionality is algorithm hardwareization—Naxin Micro solidifies the motor parameter recognition algorithm into the chip’s hardware module while reducing MCU core occupancy, allowing the core to focus on other control tasks.
In addition to algorithm hardwareization, Naxin Micro will optimize algorithm execution efficiency through two directions: first, by adding dedicated algorithm accelerators in the MCU core, such as hardware acceleration units for FOC (Field Oriented Control) algorithms, further reducing algorithm execution time and enhancing the real-time performance of motor control; second, by optimizing the software algorithm architecture, through layered design of underlying drivers and application layer interfaces, allowing customers to directly call algorithms without focusing on underlying implementations, while providing algorithm configuration tools to support customers in customizing parameters based on motor types, balancing flexibility and execution efficiency.
Synchronizing with Customers for Global Expansion
Seizing the Historic Opportunity of Globalization
Through continuous iterative upgrades of products, Naxin Micro’s “MCU+” products are deeply bound with customers—not only helping customers build differentiated competitive advantages in real scenarios but also providing empowering value for customers’ strategic upgrades. For instance, going global is an important trend in the current domestic automotive industry chain, and Naxin Micro’s “MCU+” strategy mainly responds to customers’ overseas needs through ‘product certification first, customer collaborative expansion, and global service support’.
First, product certification can break through overseas market access barriers. International OEMs have very strict certification requirements for chips, which not only require basic certifications such as AEC-Q100 and ISO 26262 but also customized certifications for their platforms. Naxin Micro can quickly reuse the certification foundation of existing mature products for the vehicle factory certification of “MCU+” products, shortening the certification cycle; its integrated core IP has also been internationally validated, adaptable to overseas systems, reducing customers’ technical adaptation costs for going global.
Second, by collaborating with customers for global expansion, achieving a transition from “local substitution” to “global co-creation.” Naxin Micro has established close cooperation with several domestic vehicle manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers to jointly expand international projects and provide technical support in the global market. Some products are being introduced and validated in overseas projects through partners, continuously enhancing penetration in the global supply chain.
Finally, global service support, building an international support system. By establishing technical centers in key overseas markets, collaborating with third-party organizations and distributors, and optimizing the supply chain, Naxin Micro ensures service response speed, project cycles, and product delivery timeliness, ensuring the overseas delivery efficiency of “MCU+” products and avoiding logistics delays affecting customer production.
Gao Feng concluded: “Essentially, Naxin Micro’s ‘MCU+’ strategy for going global is not merely about product export, but rather ‘a full-link export of technology + products + services’—breaking barriers through technical certification, deeply entering markets through customer collaboration, and ensuring delivery through global services, ultimately achieving ‘synchronized global expansion’ with customers, seizing the historic opportunity of globalization for domestic semiconductors.”
Conclusion
In the wave of domestic semiconductors moving towards high-end and differentiated breakthroughs, the “MCU+” strategy is no longer a simple functional addition but a key entry point for reshaping roles and upgrading value in the industry chain. Naxin Micro’s innovative model of “MCU+X” breaks out of the limitations of traditional discrete solutions—through deep integration of self-developed IP across all categories and the coupling design of algorithms and hardware, upgrading “MCU+” from peripheral device pairing to an intelligent control core, solving a subsystem with a single chip, while also achieving a leap from “supplier of analog chips” to “provider of mixed-signal system solutions.” All these changes stem from one point: always being demand-driven, allowing “MCU+” products to come from the scene and then return to the scene.