About UsAnalog Devices’ Releases New ARM® Ultra-Low Power Microcontroller
The ADuCM4050 Microcontroller enables 10 times system-level power savings and features enhanced security
Analog Devices have released a new ultra low power microcontroller unit (MCU) that addresses the rapidly growing need for embedding advanced algorithms while consuming the lowest system power at Internet of Things (IoT) edge nodes. The ADuCM4050 MCU includes an ARM® Cortex®-M4 core with floating-point unit, expanded SRAM, and embedded flash memory in order to allow localized decision making and ensuring that only the most important data is sent to the cloud. The new MCU uses SensorStrobe™ technology allowing it to remain in a low power state while Analog Devices’ sensors and RF technology are still collecting data. This enables the ADuCM4050 MCU to deliver over 10 times system-level power savings that result in extended battery life or longer time between battery charges. Key feature enhancements have been added for operation in harsh environments.
Security is also enhanced with the ADuCM4050, due to its encryption which provides stronger IP protection for the designer and better protection against malware and misuse. Among these are AES 128/256, SHA 256, block ciphers for code protection, key wrap, and HMAC. The new ultra low power MCU complements Analog Devices’ already existing class-leading ADuCM302x series of parts and offers pin compatibility.
The ADuCM4050 MCU targets applications where long battery life is critical, but where security, performance integrity, and the ability to pre-process and filter sensor data to eliminate artifacts and noise are also requirements. Applications include clinical vital-signs monitoring, smart energy management, and asset health/factory equipment reporting.
The ADuCM4050 supports multiple digital- and analog-sensor inputs via its SensorStrobe technology so they can be combined to analyze their data for smarter, more sophisticated functionality. Therefore, there is no need to wake up the microcontroller frequently to report routine or partial data, thus saving significant power over the long term.
The extremely low power requirements of the ADuCM4050 are seen in its 40µA/MHz active-mode consumption, which drops to 680nA in hibernate mode. The large amount of SRAM and flash memory - 128kB and 512kB, respectively - and the ability to retain almost all of the SRAM, enables it to get data ready quicker when it wakes up from hibernate (sleep) mode, another major power-saving feature.
The ADuCM4050 seamlessly works with the industry leading, ultralow-power, low-g ADXL362 and the newly announced ADXL372 micropower high-g MEMS accelerometer as part of Analog Devices’ portfolio of ultra low power technology. SensorStrobe technology also works seamlessly with these sensors to unlock additional system-level power savings.
Features of the ADuCM4050 Ultra Low Power ARM Cortex-M4F Microcontroller
- EEMBC ULPMark™-CP score (3 V): 189
- Ultra low power active and hibernate modes
- Active mode dynamic current: 41 µA/MHz (typical)
- Flexi mode: 400 µA (typical)
- Hibernate mode: 0.65 µA (typical)
- Shutdown mode: 50 nA (typical)
- Shutdown mode (fast wake-up): 0.20 µA (typical)
- ARM Cortex-M4F processor at 52 MHz with FPU, MPU, ITM with SWD interface
- Power management
- Single-supply operation (connected to VBAT pins): 1.74 V to 3.6 V
- Optional buck converter for improved efficiency
- Memory options
- 512 kB of embedded flash memory with ECC
- 4 kB of cache memory to reduce active power
- 128 kB of configurable system SRAM with parity
- Safety
- Watchdog with dedicated on-chip oscillator
- Hardware CRC with programmable polynomial
- ECC protected embedded flash
- Multiparity bit protected SRAM
- Security
- Hardware cryptographic accelerator supporting AES-128, AES-256, and SHA-256
- Protected key storage in flash, SHA-256-based keyed
- HMAC and key wrap and unwrap
- User code protection
- TRNG
- Digital peripherals
- 3 SPI interfaces to enable glueless interface to sensors, radios, and converters
- 1 I²C and 2 UART peripheral interfaces
- SPORT for natively interfacing with converters and radios
- Programmable GPIOs (44 in LFCSP and 51 in WLCSP)
- 3 general-purpose timers with PWM support
- RGB timer for driving RGB LED
- RTC0 for time keeping
- RTC1 with SensorStrobe and time stamping
- Programmable beeper
- 27-channel DMA controller
- Clocking features
- 26 MHz clock: on-chip oscillator, external crystal oscillator, SYS_CLKIN for external clock, and integrated PLL
- 32 kHz clock: on-chip oscillator and low power crystal oscillator
- Clock fail detection for external crystals
- Analog peripherals
- 12-bit SAR ADC, 1.8 MSPS, 8 channels, and digital comparator
More information on the ADuCM4050 ARM Microcontroller can be found on the Analog Devices website at Analog Devices ADuCM4050 Product Page.
The Analog Devices website address is www.analog.com
[Reprinted with kind permission from Analog Devices - Release Date, 14th March, 2017]