STMicroelectronics introduces Secure real-time microcontrollers for next-generation automotive domain architectures

STMicroelectronics introduces the new Stellar family of automotive microcontrollers (MCUS) to make automotive electronics systems and advanced domain controllers safer and smarter. The Stellar family of MCUS supports next-generation vehicle architectures based on various "domain controllers" (powerfield, chassis domain, ADAS Advanced Driver assistance systems, etc.). By consolidating sensor data while reducing wiring harness connectivity complexity and electronic component weight, these domain controllers help transform automotive system architectures to software - and data-oriented architectures.

Provide advanced communication connectivity and data security features to support the automotive transition to a service-oriented system architecture

● The first Arm® Cortex-R52 automotive microcontroller with on-chip non-volatile memory for real-time multi-core processing performance; The ISO26262 ASIL-D certification Assurance and Safety Management program brings a new functional safety reference standard to the automotive industry
● 28nm FD-SOI with efficient embedded phase-change memory maximizes performance and reliability while minimizing power consumption

The Stellar series MCU is a breakthrough in automotive microcontroller technology. Combining the benefits of the 28nm FD-SOI manufacturing process, on-chip phase-change memory (PCM), advanced packaging and Arm Cortex-R52 multi-core processor, the Stellar series operates at up to 600MHz and has a PCM capacity of more than 40MB while minimizing power consumption. Extremely low power consumption is maintained even in harsh high-temperature environments. Stellar series MCUS are manufactured at ST's own 12 "Crolles facility.

Key target applications for Stellar MCUS include hybrid intelligent control, full electrification of vehicles based on on-board chargers, battery management systems and DC-DC controllers, as well as intelligent gateways, ADAS and enhanced vehicle stability control systems.

The first prototypes of the STMicroelectronics stellar MCU are now available, with key features including a six-core Arm Cortex-R52 processor with a clock rate of 400MHz, a 16MB PCM, and 8MB RAM, all in a BGA516 package. Major customers are currently testing control units based on stellar MCUS.

Marco Monti, President, Automotive & Discrete Devices Division, STMicroelectronics, said: "Stellar MCUS provide the security and real-time performance required for a new class of domain controllers that support data services, an industry set to reach $1.4 trillion by 2030, and support a new software-centric system architecture that can turn domain controller applications into a new revenue stream." The domain system architecture integrates the functions of multiple control units within a larger domain controller, enabling new functions to be installed remotely without compromising the vehicle's ride safety and data security."

Lakshmi Mandyam, vice president Automotive Products at Arm's Automotive and Embedded Business unit, said: "The powerful combination of energy efficiency, functional safety features and high performance of the Cortex-R52 with ST's optimized multi-core SoC architecture is able to meet the stringent real-time performance and safety requirements of automotive electronics for next-generation automotive platforms if we are to make autonomous driving and intelligent power control a reality."

Technical characteristics of stellar MCU sample

The Stellar family builds on ST's multi-year track record of success in high-performance automotive MCUS and will complement the market-successful SPC58 family for managing the next generation of automotive electronics systems. Using innovative technologies unique to ST, the new series offers the real-time performance and safety required for next-generation automotive platforms, while simultaneously delivering the low power needed by vehicle designers to achieve lightweight and economy.

The prototype of the first Stellar family of automotive MCUS integrates six Arm Cortex-R52 cores with embedded non-volatile memory for fast deterministic real-time computing without the latency of non-integrated memory.

By adding a lockstep function to the Cortex-R52 core, the Stellar series meets the demanding requirements of ISO26262 ASIL-D safety certification for the automotive industry. To further enhance functional safety and reliability, Stellar MCUS have also installed a software isolation and memory protection manager.

While improving the performance of the Cortex-R52 multi-core processor, the Stellar family also integrates three built-in floating point units and an Arm Cortex-M4 core that supports the DSP extended instruction set to provide application-specific acceleration.

The Stellar series also uses ST's advanced AEC-Q100 Grade 0 compliant embedded phase change memory (PCM). The 16MB PCM memory is safe and robust, guaranteeing read and write performance and data retention even at operating temperatures up to 165°C, and supports software over-the-air download technology to manage multiple firmware images. Easy connection eMMC and HyperBus™ interfaces allow connection to external memory.

The Stellar family features the most advanced hardware security module (HSM) with EVITA[2] FULL support, operating at over 200MHz to maximize data throughput.

The Stellar family of HSM hardware security modules, combined with multi-bus routing covering multiple automotive interfaces, including Ethernet, CAN-FD and LIN, meet the growing needs of Oems for security and connectivity performance in time-sensitive automotive networks.