STMicro introduces cost-optimized STM32MP13 Cortex-A7 microprocessor

STMicroelectronics’ STM32MP13 1 GHz single-core Arm Cortex-A7 microprocessor series is the latest addition to the Linux-capable STM32MP1 family, with a cost-optimized design that does without the Cortex-M4 real-time core found in the original STM32MP15 series, while still offering Ethernet, CAN FD, camera and display depending on the specific SKU: STM32MP131, STTM32MP133, or STM32MP135.

STM32MP131

The STM32MP131 is a single-core Cortex-A7 core clocked at 650 MHz or 1GHz with Ethernet connectivity and is the most cost-effective part of the new STM32MP13 series.

Four parts are available in three different packet sizes (TGBGA 289,  TFBGA 320, and LFBGA 289) as well as some parts with “advanced security features” that include a cryptographic accelerator, memory protections, code isolation mechanisms for runtime protection, functions to ensure platform authentication, and a complete security ecosystem.

The STM32MP131 can run entry-level Linux, bare metal or RTOS systems with Microsoft Azure RTOS pre-integrated.

STM32MP133

The STM32MP133 single-core Cortex-A7 microprocessors are also offered at 650 MHz and 1GHz, but add dual CAN FD, and support dual Ethernet networking.

The STM32MP133 parts are offered in the same packages as the STM32MP131 despite the different interfaces, and some SKUs come with security features. Unsurprisingly, software support is the same with entry-level Linux, bare metal, or RTOS systems including Microsoft Azure RTOS

STM32MP135

The STM32MP135 builds upon the STM32MP133 Series with multimedia support thanks to an LCD-TFT parallel display interface and a 16-bit parallel camera, with still dual Ethernet, and dual CAN FD.

Packages, security options, and software support are the same. I have not shared the details specifications, because I assumed the peripherals would be similar to the earlier STM32MP135 Series, but there are some notables different as we can see from the block diagrams for STM32MP157 and STM32MP135 microprocessors shown below.

Notably, there’s no 3D GPU, MIPI DSI controller in the STM32MP135, no HDMI, and so on, but it should be expected in order to keep the costs in check. STMicro also released 800 MHz versions of the STM32MP15x family in 2020, and it’s just a little odd that the cost-down part is clocked at a higher CPU frequency. This is what the full STM32MP1 family now looks like:

The new STM32MP13 microprocessors should be found in Smart Buildings, Factory 4.0, and Smart Cities sectors for industrial automation controllers, communication gateways, payment terminals, smart appliances, and control panels. Development tools and software are common between the STM32MP13 and STM32MP15 and include the mainlined OpenSTLinux Distribution with Linux board support package (BSP), drivers, a secure bootchain, and Qt graphics framework. STMicro also offers the new X-LINUX-RT expansion package to enable Linux real-time capabilities. The company also provides the STM32MP135x-DK Discovery Kit to evaluate the new family.

 

STMicro says all new STM32MP13 microprocessors are now in production and priced starting at $3.16 per unit for orders of 10,000 pieces. Additional information can be fond on the STM32MP1 product page.

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