A new generation of automotive microcontrollers with built-in flash memory takes car safety to a whole new level

     Spanning multiple electronic applications, STMicroelectronics, a leading global supplier of semiconductors and a leading supplier of automotive semiconductors, has introduced a new multi-core microcontroller designed to dramatically improve vehicle safety. The new product is the first automotive microcontroller to use ST's unique 40nm embedded flash manufacturing process.

     The new microcontroller for vehicles has built-in data security encryption technology that complies with the most stringent automotive safety standards, and further increases the on-chip flash memory capacity to store important programs and data. The introduction of the new product significantly strengthens ST's automotive Fault-tolerant microcontroller product lineup. Safety-critical automotive microcontroller applications include engine management, transmission control, anti-lock braking systems, electric steering, active suspension systems, and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

     Fabio Marchio, vice president of ST's Product Group and general manager of Automotive Microcontrollers and Infotainment Products, said: "For mission-critical automotive applications, achieving functional safety is a fundamental requirement for achieving cutting-edge, high-reliability system chips. "New automotive microcontrollers provide an easy and exciting way to upgrade existing products, improve vehicle performance and fuel economy without compromising safety, significantly improve software and hardware reuse, and help automakers save research and development costs."

     The SPC58NE is the centerpiece of ST's Power Architecture automotive 32-bit single-chip microcontroller family, equipped with a high-performance dual-issue processor core, Integrate up to 6MB of flash memory, 768kB of random access memory (RAM), eight Controller Area Network (CAN) interfaces, and peripherals optimized for terminal applications. Multi-core processors ensure that these critical applications have sufficient backup processing capacity to meet the stringent requirements of automobile manufacturers and customers for vehicle safety and data security.

     The SPC58NE product line is currently available in BGA 292 and LQFP176 packages and will soon be introduced in the KGD package series. SPC58NE84 conforms to the two major automotive electronic standards ISO 26262 ASIL-D and EU EVITA (E-safety Vehicle Intrusion Protected Applications) Medium class. Sample applications are available from now on. For more product details and prices, please contact your local ST branch.

     ISO 26262 ASIL D functional safety standard (ASIL D functional safety standard) specifies the rules and related criteria to avoid the unreasonable risk caused by the failure of the whole electronic system, and the microcontroller plays an extremely important role in this. As a result, ST has conducted a comprehensive evaluation of its automotive safety products against applicable standards.