STM32 series integrate NPU, finally catching up with the AI competition (with introduction of the STM32 series)

Entering the AI era, end-side devices are rapidly becoming intelligent, and MCUs with integrated neural processing units (NPUs) are emerging in large quantities. As an important MCU manufacturer, ST recently released the STM32N6 series, which completes its AI product line and integrates into the competitive landscape of the new era.

In fact, as early as 2022, there was news about STM32N6. Although it was still in the development stage at that time, its new features had already attracted much attention. Now that the product has finally been released, its complete specifications also meet the powerful features promised in the development stage.

In AI, the STM32N6 series is equipped with ST's self-developed Neural-ART NPU, which can provide 0.6 TOPS of AI computing power at a frequency of 1GHz, which means that its machine learning capability is 600 times that of previous top STM32 devices.

The powerful neural network reasoning capability makes the STM32N6 suitable for various computer vision and audio applications, and can meet the performance requirements of various intelligent application scenarios such as smart industry, smart home, smart city, automobile, consumer electronics, etc.

In addition to AI computing power, as an important new product, the STM32N6 also has remarkable conventional performance. The built-in Arm Cortex-M55 core has a main frequency of up to 0.8GHz, and is also equipped with the highest 4.2MB RAM of ST products to date, and integrates an ISP that provides direct signal processing.

It is understood that the STM32N6 is built based on the 16nm process. It is precisely because of the use of a relatively advanced process that it is possible to inherit such a rich configuration. With the increasing extension of advanced processes, MCU integrated AI computing power will become the mainstream in the future.

But we have to say that although ST's layout was early, many original manufacturers had already released MCU products with integrated AI computing power before STM32N6. First of all, TI released the new TMS320F28P55x controller of the C2000 series earlier, claiming to be the industry's first real-time MCU product with NPU. In addition, NXP has also launched the RT700 and i.MX 94 series in the past two months, coupled with Infineon's PSoC Edge series. It can be said that the application has not yet been fully rolled out, and the competition in MCU has become fierce.

Many MCU manufacturers have their own "specialties". Although ST's new products are full of sincerity, it is not easy to stand out in the fierce market competition. Now, the "involution" of MCU is no longer limited to the basic level. The end-side AI market is also crowded with solutions, and not only international manufacturers, but also local manufacturers are actively deploying.

As a long-established MCU manufacturer, ST's advantage lies in the in-depth cultivation of its product line and ecological operation, which has long been ahead of other manufacturers. The multiple series derived from STM32 can already cover all-scenario applications. Here is an overview of the full range of STM32 products and their naming rules.

Introduction to STM32 product line

STM32F series: high performance and multi-function applications

This series is the most widely used series in STM32 products. It is mainly based on ARM Cortex-M0/M3/M4/M7 cores, provides rich peripherals and interfaces, and is suitable for high performance and multi-function applications such as industrial automation, consumer electronics, and medical equipment.

STM32F0xx: low cost, low power, suitable for cost-sensitive and low-power applications.

STM32F1xx: low-to-mid-range microcontrollers with rich peripherals and good performance.

STM32F2xx/F4xx/F7xx/F8xx: high-performance microcontrollers equipped with high-speed processor cores and rich peripherals, suitable for applications with high performance requirements. Among them, the STM32F4 sub-series is based on the Cortex-M4 core, with floating-point unit (FPU) and digital signal processing (DSP) instruction set; the STM32F7 sub-series is based on the Cortex-M7 core.

STM32G series: cost-effective and versatile applications

This series is a general series in the STM32 product line, mainly based on ARM Cortex-M4 and M0+ cores, providing rich peripherals and interfaces, suitable for various embedded applications, especially those that require cost-effective and versatile applications.

STM32G0xx: Based on the Cortex-M0+ core, it provides lower cost and power consumption and is suitable for cost-sensitive applications.

STM32G4xx: Based on the Cortex-M4 core, it has high performance and rich peripherals, suitable for applications such as industrial control, motor control, and consumer electronics.

STM32L series: low-power applications

This series of products features low power consumption, mainly based on the ARM Cortex-M0+/M3/M4 cores, with a variety of low-power modes. You can choose the appropriate power consumption mode according to application requirements, and is suitable for applications that require long-term battery power supply.

STM32L0xx: Based on the Cortex-M0+ core, it further reduces power consumption and is suitable for ultra-low-power IoT devices.

STM32L1xx: Low-power microcontroller with rich peripherals and low power consumption.

STM32L4xx: Based on the Cortex-M4 core, it combines high performance and low power consumption, suitable for applications such as wearable devices, sensor nodes, smart homes, etc. that require long-term battery power.

STM32H series: high-performance applications

This series is a high-performance series in the STM32 product line, mainly based on the ARM Cortex-M7 core, providing the highest performance and the richest peripherals, suitable for applications that require extremely high computing performance and rich peripherals, with products such as STM32H7xx and H5xx.

STM32W series: with wireless communication function

This series is an MCU with wireless communication function, based on the ARM Cortex-M core, and integrates wireless communication modules such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, suitable for applications that require wireless communication function.

STM32WBxx: Integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth functions, based on Cortex-M4 and M0+ dual-core architecture, supports Bluetooth and IEEE802.15.4 (such as Zigbee and Thread) communication protocols, suitable for applications such as smart homes, wearable devices, industrial Internet of Things, etc., with sub-series such as STM32WB5.

STM32WBA54/55 series: wireless MCU, based on the Arm Cortex-M33 core, running at 100MHz, supporting the latest BLE5.4 and Matter, as well as 2.4GHz protocols such as Thread and ZigBee, and Bluetooth LE Audio low-power Bluetooth audio specifications.

STM32MP microprocessor (MPU)

The STM32MP series of microprocessors integrates a high-performance application processor and a low-power real-time core for industrial applications that require strong robustness in a connected and secure environment.

STM32MP2 series: 64-bit MPU, integrated 1.35TOPS NPU, using 1/2 core 1.5GHz Cortex-A35 and a Cortex-M33 real-time core, and integrated with VeriSilicon's GC8000UL NPU/GPU, can flexibly run AI on CPU, GPU or NPU. Its application directions include smart industry, smart home, smart gateway, smart city, smart transportation and all industries related to edge AI.

In addition, STM32 has also launched ultra-low power entry-level MCUs such as the STM32U0, as well as the STM32H7R/S series of cost-effective MCUs.

In general, the STM32 product line is very rich, covering a variety of needs from low power consumption to high performance, from simple applications to complex systems. Technicians can choose the appropriate model and series according to specific application needs and performance requirements.