STMicroelectronics has recently introduced new microcontroller chips designed to bring the same high-performance graphics enabling intuitive smartphone-like user interfaces in the world of wearable devices, smart appliances, and other IoT applications. The new STM32F469/479 microcontroller line delivers this new level of performance through the combination of ST’s Chrom-ART Accelerator and the MIPI-DSI technology that is widely deployed in smartphones and tablets, without higher cost or shorter battery-lifetime penalties. “At the heart of the new product line – the company explains – is a powerful 32-bit low-power ARM Cortex-M4 MCU (microcontroller unit) core augmented by the Chrom-ART Accelerator and ART Accelerator that speed up graphics and real-time processing as well as access to the MCU’s program memories. Through the combination of the accelerators and the MIPI-DSI interface, the new MCU performs the demanding real-time system control, monitoring, and application tasks that would otherwise require even more powerful – and more power-hungry – processors”. “Smartphones and tablets have given consumers across the world an expectation of high graphics performance, along with intuitive user interfaces and ease of use for activities such as instantly downloading and running apps – said Michel Buffa, General Manager, Microcontroller Division, STMicroelectronics -. Till now, equipment has often sacrificed graphics processing to meet the demands of real-time application processing. These new microcontrollers enable IoT products that meet today’s user expectations while remaining within the strict power, cost, and size constraints of applications that rely on embedded microcontrollers”.
