With the rapid development of smart devices, ST’s MCU business has expanded rapidly. In recent years, popular applications such as shared bicycles, drones, and more IoT devices have mostly adopted the STM32 series MCUs.As the general market leader for Cortex-M32, since ST launched the first STM32F103 in 2007, STM32 has developed into a super platform for MCUs over the past 12 years.Now, ST’s first microprocessor (MPU) that supports the Linux system has also joined the STM32 family.What happens when STM32 meets Linux?“STM32MP1 will continue the successful record of STM32, extending its success and commitment to microprocessors,” described Sylvain RAYNAUD, STM32 MPU product marketing manager at STMicroelectronics.
Sylvain RAYNAUD
Product Marketing Manager, STM32 Microcontroller Division, STMicroelectronics
Flexible Triple-Core Architecture with Significant Energy Efficiency Improvements
STM32MP1 supports ARM Cortex-A and Cortex-M architectures, integrating two Arm Cortex-A7 application processor cores running at 650MHz and one Arm Cortex-M4 microcontroller core running at 209MHz;the embedded 3D GPU (graphics display) enhances the user experience on devices such as industrial control panels.The three cores communicate with each other securely, with a built-in elliptic curve cryptography unit and some IP implemented in hardware, including IP TDES and hardware AES256;for software security, there is a secure boot mode at system startup; if the secure boot mode is selected, part of the memory can be hidden, preventing external access to that portion.
The three cores of STM32MP1 can flexibly switch between full power mode, batch power optimization mode, and standby mode based on application needs.In full power mode, all three cores run at full speed, achieving maximum energy efficiency for applications;in low-power applications, Cortex-A7 is in standby mode while Cortex-M4 operates at one-quarter of its normal power consumption;in standby mode, power consumption is only 1/2500 of the previous mode.A key factor in waking up from standby mode to full-speed operation is the wake-up time; “STM32MP1 has achieved industry-leading technology, taking only 1 second to return to the Linux interface and 3 seconds to return to the 3D graphics application interface.”
As an application processor, STM32MP1 is a more complex system compared to STM32, so ST also provides a dedicated power chip STPMIC1, which provides DC/DC and LDO, powering not only the STM32MP1 but also displays, memory, USB, and more peripherals, optimizing customer system power consumption, reducing costs, and minimizing PCB size for streamlined designs.
Application Development Simplified, Mature Ecosystem
Leveraging the mature ecosystem of STM32, customers of STM32MP1 can obtain a comprehensive integrated design kit provided by ST.For the Cortex-A7 part, ST provides the OpenST Linux development package to ensure the stability of system software;for the Cortex-M4 part, customers can reuse previous STM32Cube software packages.The Cube contains many reference codes and drivers to support customers, including various APIs for peripheral access and middleware for USB, Type-C, and Ethernet.
“The STM32MP1 software suite can simplify customer process development,” and the STM32MP1 Linux platform is fully compatible with the OpenLinux development package!
Currently, the STM32MP1 SoC drivers have been adopted and recognized by the Linux community, fully compatible with the standards of open-source software, including the Linux Foundation and Yocto Project.To facilitate customers in selecting the most suitable open-source code, ST has established a project in Yocto, allowing customers to use this development package easily and stably.STM32MP1 also supports the Linaro community, which includes some reference software and training.
Due to the open-source nature of Linux, to avoid additional costs for customers searching for secure applications, STM32MP1 pre-integrates the secure operating system OP-TEE, allowing customers to use a free encrypted OS to encrypt the system in a trusted area, with all publicly used data utilizing open-source Linux.
24 Customized Products, 10-Year Supply Assurance Service
As the latest product launched, STM32MP1 has tailored different packages for various applications.STM32MP1 has three product lines: 157, 153, and 151, with a total of six models and four different packages with optional security features.151 is equipped with Cortex-A7+Cortex-M4;153 adds CAN FD and dual-core Cortex A7 on this basis;157 is currently the highest performance in the series, featuring Dual Arm Cortex-A7+Cortex-M4, 3D GPU — DSI — CAN FD.The STM32MP1 system is relatively complex compared to MCU; it is not as simple as PCB Layout for MCU. ST’s official website provides four different package schematics and PCB layout references for customers to download and reference.
ST has a broad support system to assist customers in product development, with super third-party platforms deployed globally, mainly supporting GUI, encryption, and training.STM32MP1 is equipped with a 3D GPU for HMI industrial human-machine interfaces.“Our partners Qt and Crank are here to provide GUI solutions,”and in terms of secure applications, ST’s partners like Bootlin and ProtectRun can provide customers with secure encryption applications.Because STM32MP1 is different from the previous STM32, ST has established a dedicated wiki site to support STM32MP1 customers in developing Linux platforms. On this platform, all ST’s Linux software development packages will be published for customers, allowing them to download various required items, whether they are beginners or experienced engineers, they can find these applications.
STM32MP1 is the first MPU product in the market.In the future, while expanding the product line, ST will pursue two parallel directions:higher cost performance and power optimization. The higher cost performance part will introduce a lower-end, more cost-effective option for customers;while moving up, a higher performance and more secure option will be introduced to meet higher customer demands.
ST updates its long-term supply assurance at the beginning of each year, with each update lasting ten years. The new product STM32MP1 is also included, providing long-term support for customers’ lifecycle, which is particularly useful for customers in industrial control and communication!
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