Nuvoton M2003 is a low-cost Arm Cortex-M23 MCU for AIoT and Industrial applications

Nuvoton has recently launched the Nuvoton M2003 series of low-cost Arm Cortex-M23 microcontrollers which at the time of writing features M2003FC1AE and M2003XC1AE microcontrollers. Major features include a 32-bit hardware multiplier/divider, 32 KB of flash memory, 4 KB of SRAM, multiple communication interfaces (UARTs, I²C, USCI), analog peripherals (8-channel 12-bit ADC, 6-channel 16-bit PWM), and support for a wide voltage and temperature range. These features make this device useful for AIoT, industrial automation, smart homes, energy storage, and automotive electronics, and the company says the low-cost M2003 family offers a migration path from 8-bit to 32-bit designs.

Feature-wise both the MCUs are the same and the only difference is in their package. The M2003FC1AE comes in a TSSOP20 package, whereas the M2003XC1AE comes in a QFN20 (3x3mm) package. The NuMaker-M2003FC development board is also offered for evaluation.

Nuvoton M2003 series MCU specifications

• Device – Nuvoton M2003 series of MCUs
  • M2003FC1AE – TSSOP20 package
  • M2003XC1AE – QFN20(3x3mm) package
• CPU core – Arm Cortex-M23 core running up to 24 MHz with single-cycle hardware multiplier and 32-bit 17-cycle hardware divider
• Memory/Storage
  • 4 KB SRAM
  • 32 KB Flash
  • 4 KB Flash for user program loader (LDROM)
  • 1 KB security protection ROM (SPROM)
• Clocks
  • Internal 24 MHz HIRC oscillator ±4% within all temperature range, ±2% at 0°C ~ 85°C, ±1% at 25°C)
  • Internal 10 kHz LIRC oscillator with variation ±50% within all temperature range
• Timers
  • 4x 32-bit timers
  • 1x 24-bit count-down SysTick timer
  • 1x Independent watchdog
  • 1x window watchdog
  • 1x 3-channel Enhanced input capture (ECAP)
• Interfaces
  • 6x PWM channels with one 16-bit timer
  • 8x channels of 12-bit 500 ksps SAR ADC
  • 2x UART interfaces with UART, RS-485, and IrDA mode
  • 1x  I²C interface
  • 1x USCI interface supporting UART, SPI, and I²C mode
  • Up to 18 I/O
• Power Supply
  • Voltage range: 2.4V to 5.5V
  • Supports Cap-less LDO
  • Supports NPD Mode
  • Supports BOD (4.4/ 3.7/ 2.7/ 2.2V falling edge)
  • Normal run: 130 µA/MHz
  • Idle: <40 µA/MHz
• Misc
  • 96-bit Unique ID (UID)
  • 128-bit Unique Customer ID (UCID)
• Operating Characteristics
  • Temperature range: -40°C to +105°C
  • EFT 4.4 kV
  • ESD HBM 7 kV

NuMaker-M2003FC dev board specifications

• Expansion and Connectivity
  • M2003FC1AE full pins extension connectors
  • Arduino UNO compatible extension connectors
  • Ammeter connector for measuring microcontroller power consumption
• Power Options:
  • 5V via USB-C power connector
  • Fixable board power supply options
  • External VDD power connector option
  • Arduino UNO compatible extension connector Vin
• Debugging and Programming
  • On-board Nu-Link2-Me debugger and programmer
  • Supports debugging through the SWD interface
  • On-line/off-line programming capability
  • Virtual COM port functionality
  • USB-C connector on Nu-Link2-Me
• Dimensions – 137.5 x 63 mm

In addition to the microcontrollers, the company also provides a development board, making it easy for those who want to get started with the MCU. Moreover, the design is completely open-sourced you can get the Schematic, PCB, Gerber File & BOM from the Nuvoton website along with the user manual of the board. The Nu-Link2-Me can also be used as a programmer for mass production.

Previously, we have seen Nuvoton announce various MCUs and their development boards including the Nuvoton NuMicro MA35D0, the Nuvoton NuMicro M2L31 Arm Cortex-M23 MCU, Nuvoton M433 Series MCUs and dev boards and Nuvoton MUG51 8-bit 8051 microcontroller and many more, feel free to check those out if you are looking for cheap and powerful MCU based dev boards.

In terms of software, the company provides NuTool CodeGenerator utility to generate projects and configure peripherals, pins, and clocks easily. Additionally, it supports both ISP and IAP upgrade methods, simplifying system and software updates. It’s also compatible with various development platforms and major IDEs and compilers more about that can be found on their GitHub repository.

The Nuvoton NuMaker-M2003FC development board is available for $20.00 from Nuvoton Direct, but at the time of writing the company does not provide any buying links for the IC only. While searching I tried to find the ICson DigiKey and Mouser but couldn’t find anything related. More information about the Nuvoton M2003 series can be found on the product page or the announcement.

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