STMICROELECTRONICS' STM32N6 Edge AI microcontrollers intended for automotive and robotics sectors are now being shipped by Mouser.
The technology landscape is constantly evolving, and STMicroelectronics is at the forefront of this change with the introduction of their new high-performance microcontroller (MCU), the STM32N6. This MCU is a significant leap forward in the STM32 series, designed specifically for demanding industrial and consumer applications that require edge AI and machine learning capabilities.
### Key Features of STM32N6
At the heart of the STM32N6 is the Arm Cortex-M55 CPU, running at an impressive 800 MHz. This core introduces Arm Helium vector processing technology, enhancing DSP capabilities in a standard CPU[1][3]. The STM32N6 is also the first STM32 MCU to embed ST’s proprietary Neural-ART accelerator™, a dedicated neural processing unit clocked at 1 GHz, delivering up to 600 GOPS[1][3].
The STM32N6 offers a host of features suitable for imaging-intensive applications. It boasts a dedicated computer vision pipeline with a MIPI CSI-2 interface and an integrated image signal processor (ISP) that supports a wide range of cameras[1][3]. In addition, it includes a NeoChrom™ graphics accelerator for advanced 2.5D graphics operations, as well as an H264 hardware encoder supporting various profiles and up to 1080p video at 15 fps[1][3].
The STM32N6 also offers 4.2 Mbytes of contiguous embedded RAM, ideal for neural networks and graphics[1]. Advanced security features comply with the latest standards, targeting SESIP level 3 and PSA level 3 certifications for enhanced trust and safety[1]. The MCU is available in multiple packages (169 to 264 pins) and supports ambient temperatures up to 125°C, making it suitable for harsh environments[1].
### Applications
The STM32N6 is aimed at industrial automation and control systems requiring robust and high-performance edge AI, consumer electronics with rich multimedia and computer vision features, real-time audio and vision processing applications, such as 3D depth mapping (e.g., in lidar systems), and applications requiring secure edge AI processing under harsh environmental conditions[1][4].
### Comparison to Existing High-End STM32 MCUs (e.g., STM32F4 Series)
The STM32N6 substantially outperforms the STM32F4 series due to its dedicated Neural-ART accelerator optimized for deep neural network inference at 600 GOPS, versus the Cortex-M4’s general-purpose DSP instructions which are less powerful and efficient for AI tasks[1][2][3].
### The STM32N6570-DK Discovery Kit
The STM32N6570-DK discovery kit is an essential tool for developers working with the STM32N6 microcontroller. It includes USB Type-C, Octo-SPI flash memory, Hexadeca-SPI PSRAM devices, Ethernet connectivity, a camera module, a 5′′ LCD touchscreen, and more. This kit enables users to evaluate the STM32N6's hardware and software capabilities[2].
### Availability
Mouser Electronics is now shipping the new STM32N6 high-performance microcontroller (MCU) from STMicroelectronics. To learn more about the STM32N6 and the STM32N6570-DK discovery kit, visit https://www.mouser.com/new/stmicroelectronics/stm-stm32n6-mcus/.
Sources: [1] STMicroelectronics. (2021). STM32N6: High-Performance MCU for Edge AI, Vision, and Graphics. Retrieved from https://www.st.com/content/ccc/resource/technical/document/application_note/3d/0f/78/a7/77/2d/1e/81/DM00353814.pdf/files/DM00353814.pdf/jcr:content/translations/en.DM00353814.pdf
[2] Mouser Electronics. (2021). STM32N6570-DK Discovery Kit. Retrieved from https://www.mouser.com/new/stmicroelectronics/stm-stm32n6570-dk-discovery-kit/
[3] Arm. (2019). Cortex-M55 Processor. Retrieved from https://developer.arm.com/products/cpu/cortex-m/cortex-m55-processor
[4] STMicroelectronics. (2021). STM32N6 High-Performance MCU for Edge AI Applications. Retrieved from https://www.st.com/content/ccc/resource/technical/document/application_note/3d/0f/78/a7/77/2d/1e/81/DM00353814.pdf/files/DM00353814.pdf/jcr:content/translations/en.DM00353814.pdf
The STM32N6, with its Arm Cortex-M55 CPU and Arm Helium vector processing technology, demonstrates the integration of advanced technology in its high-performance microcontroller (MCU), making it ideal for demanding industrial and consumer applications that require edge AI and machine learning capabilities. This new MCU from STMicroelectronics also offers a host of features suitable for imaging-intensive applications, including a dedicated computer vision pipeline and a broad range of security features.
