STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, has unveiled new microcontrollers (MCUs) targeting the coming electrified drivetrains and domain-oriented,over-the-airupdateable systems that are the foundation of the next generation of EVs. The vehicles will produce, process and transmit large amounts of data specifically to enable the future generation of EVs ST’s latest Stellar P automotive MCUs are the first devices that are qualified for cars of the model year 2024 to incorporate the new CAN-XL standard for in-car communication.
This technology allows the new vehicle platforms to handle increasing information flows, ensuring that the vehicle is able to operate at its peak. “The real-time, power-efficient Stellar P6 automotive microcontrollers combine advanced integration of motion-control and energy-management domains with actuation capabilities, ensuring a smooth shift from traditional ICEs/EVs to new drive-traction architectural patterns of software-defined vehicles,” said Luca Rodeschini, Automotive and Discrete Vice President, Strategic Business Development and Automotive Processing and RF General Manager at STMicroelectronics. “As the automotive industry begins work on new vehicle platforms for model-year 2024, ST is ready with the microcontrollers to support development and ease the transition to vehicle production.” ST’s Stellar family of automotive MCUs was created to aid car manufacturers as well as Tier1s when they move towards software-defined vehicles. Stellar has expanded to include several models: Stellar E series provides rapid real-time control and power conversion applications that are miniaturized in their systems and maximizes the advantages from SiC along with GaN power technology for the EV’s on-board charging system DC-DC converters and traction inverters, as well as other applications. Stellar G series MCUs serve as a secure HUB for data and a safe, real-time aggregater of functions in the body domain, specifically designed for zoned architectures. This series provides top-of-the-line OTA updates as well as low-power modes and data routing across a wide array of car-specific communication protocols.
The brand new Stellar P series of automotive MCUs is a class of devices that integrate advanced actuation capabilities and powerful function integration. Stellar P products target the new trends in the drivetrain for electric vehicles as well as domain-oriented architecturesto provide the most efficient real-time performance and management of energy. A few samples are available of Stellar P6 are available now for vehicles with model year 2024. Call your regional ST Sales office for pricing and request for samples. Additional information : Carmakers are transitioning to software-defined vehicles as their next-generation platform to control the complex and high-performance of the features they’re introducing to their vehicles (electrification advanced safety assisted and automated driving). This change requires top-to- bottom revamping of the platform’s design. The most significant changes are shifting from numerous electronic control units (ECUs) that manage only a tiny subsystem, to zone or domain controllers that perform several functions. They also have to manage an integration of applications across a variety of vehicles. Performance and safety are assured with the latest Generation of MCUs for automotive use such as Stellar which allow for higher processing power and better integration of essential functions. In software-defined vehicles that are fully controlled by electronic systems, Stellar offers fully synchronized operations and secure , over-the-air software updates of all systems to ensure maintenance and continuous performance enhancement. Technical details Manufactured by ST’s own wafer fabrication facilities using the energy-efficient 28nm FDSOI technology and the Stellar P6 embeds up to 20 megabytes of Phase Change (non-volatile) memory (PCM). It was developed and tested in accordance with the strict requirements of automotive manufacturers for high temperature operation, radiation protection, as well as data storage, the PCM of ST also provides faster access times by using single-bit overwrite which is not available in Flash. Furthermore, over-the air updates without downtime provide an exciting mechanism that helps save memory through dynamically allocating memory to the downloaded image until it’s verified. This takes place while the remainder of the memory is used to run the application in real-time. ST’s Stellar P6 MCUs have at least 6 Arm(r) Cortex(r) R52 core processors, with some operating in lockstep while others operate in split-lock mode , which provides redundant redundancy that is fail-safe. This allows the latest devices to provide high-performance and real-time determinism as well as upgrades for the next generation of electric drivetrains for automobiles, electrification solutions and domain-oriented solutions. Stellar P6 manages hardware virtualization (sandboxing) with the Cortex R52 features and firewalls for resource access. This makes it easier to develop and integration of software from multiple sources using the same platform, all while providing safe isolation and high performance. Modern security measures at all levels of the system ensure the most effective execution of ISO 26262 ASIL-D functions. Furthermore, the FDSOI technology provides the possibility of a quasi-immunity against radiation and is a superior safeguard against unavailability of systems and ensures compliance with the strictest safety standards. Fast Hardware Security Module (HSM) that is enhanced with cryptographic engines that operate in lockstep, can support security ASIL D functions and enables an enhanced EVITA full security capabilities. It also offers high-speed security cryptographic services as well as secure network authentication to secure firmware from manufacturers as well as the end-users data.
