STMicroelectronics Unveils the STM32C5, an Entry-Level 40nm Microcontroller Range at a Keen Price
Starting at just $0.64 per chip, if you're buying 10,000 at a time, the new STM32C5 packs in a surprising number of features for the money.
STMicroelectronics has announced a new entry in its STM32 microcontroller family — the entry-level STM32C5 series, which targets cost-conscious designs that don't need masses of compute.
"The new STM32C5 elevates the precision, speed and reliability of competitively priced MCUs [Microcontroller Units] to realize the potential in these opportunities," claims STMicro's Patrick Aidoune of the company's latest launch. "It builds on two decades of STM32 heritage and is part of our ambition to deliver the broadest, most scalable and secure portfolio from entry-level devices to advanced MCUs that redefine the application reach of embedded systems."
The STM32C5 is based around a single Arm Cortex-M33 microcontroller core running at up to 144MHz, for a claimed performance of 593 CoreMarks, with 64—256kB of static RAM (SRAM) and 128–1,024kB of flash, depending on model, built atop STMicro's in-house 40nm semiconductor process node. This latter feature, the company claims, means that the parts "can run tasks noticeably faster than many entry-level chips used today."
Despite targeting the entry level, the STM32C5 includes a wealth of feature options: the chip offers, depending on model chosen, up to three analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), two comparators, an op-amp, up to two FD-CAN buses, Fast Ethernet, octo-SPI, USB, and a flexible direct-memory access (DMA) engine. There's also security functionality built directly in the hardware, including a public-key cryptography accelerator (PKA) with protections against side-channel attacks.
The STM32C5 is entering production now, the company has confirmed, with packages ranging from 3×3mm UFQFPN20 to 20×20mm LQFP144; STM32 Nucleo evaluation boards will be available to ease development and prototyping. Pricing, meanwhile, starts at $0.64 per chip based on 10,000-unit tray orders. More information is available on the STMicro website.