In this article, we would be exploring the latest microcontrollers units which were released in the time period of 2014 to 2015.
To help those of you trying to figure out the latest microcontrollers to use in your project, here is a collection of MCUs which have been launched in the last one year. While this is in no way an exhaustive list, we look forward to hear from you if you think there’s an MCU that you would like to see added to this list.
While building this list, we observed that the growing support for more peripherals, larger memories and smarter CPU features among MCU families show just how much the MCU has changed over the course of a decade. As the amount of integration increases, we see a blur in the line separating the MCUs from the SoCs.
| MCU | Key features | Interesting Development | Announced Availability |
| LAPIS ML620530/540/550 | 256KB (max.) ROM, 90ch general-purpose ports, 20ch successive approximation AD converter, 8ch multifunction timer for stepper motor, pulse generators, 1ch 3-phase PWM, and serial communication ports for wireless ICs, peripheral microcontrollers | Enables wireless connection with HEMS/BEMS equipment and multi-channel analog input. - Advertisement -
Newly developed successive approximation AD converter features 1.25us conversion speed and high accuracy (±1%) oscillation circuit
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Samples available from February 2015.
Product available from August 2015 |
| Microchip PIC16F18877 | include new power conserving functionality, including Idle/Doze operating modes and Peripheral Module Disable (PMD) in addition to XLP low-power technology. | Feature a high level of core independent peripherals that can be combined to perform a wide variety of functions | Available directly from Microchip |
| Renesas RX231 | CPU core achieves a performance benchmark score of 4.16 CoreMark/MHz, 35-percent higher than the RX200 Series
only taking 0.8 µA in standby mode, while retaining the contents of both SRAM and CPU registers, and consuming only 120 µA/Hz when the CPU is active with peripherals off |
makes it possible to substantially reduce the power loss for the system as a whole during processing | Mass production beginning in September 2015 |
| Freescale S32K MCU | the new product family includes an automotive-grade software development kit, which provides middleware for the S32K’s drivers. Equally important, it incorporates a development platform called the S32 Design Studio that includes software and design tools. | Designed for software engineers. combining ARM Cortex-M4 performance with DSP functionality and a high reusability factor | S32K sample devices and software development kit will be available in the third quarter of 2015, Freescale said.
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| Renesas RL 78/G1F | • Dedicated motor control subsystem with the new auxiliary timer supports operation at up to 64 MHz
• Software configurable, high slew rate PGA reduces cost and simplifies development • Two-channel high-speed comparator enables reliable overcurrent detection and rotor position detection D/A converter and IrDA (Infrared Data Association) communication function |
achieve high motor speeds with increased efficiency and reduced system costs | varies depending on memory capacity, package and number of pins as the MCU line up comprises 20 product versions |
| Atmel SMART SAM G54/G55 | more SRAM, integrated sensor fusion algorithms, multiple clock domains to enable different parts of the microcontroller to be individually clocked to save power. | ideal for sensor hub and battery-operated consumer applications. | Available online |
| Marvell 88MZ300 wireless microcontroller system-on-chip (SoC) | • Fully integrated IEEE 802.15.4 transceiver
• SoC integrated with human-machine interfaces to support various microcontroller applications • Highest RF performance with 120dBm link budget and industry-best co-existence performance • Ultra-low power consumption with 8.5mA RX current and 1uA standby current Innovative XIP (execution in place) technology that supports direct code execution from flash memory |
designed to deliver improved data link quality with reduced message loss to enhance user experience | Sampling in 5×5-mm QFN-32 packages |
| Atmel SMART SAM DA1 | embeds PTC which offers high performance and low power capacitive touch support in compact QFN 5x5mm package with wettable flanks for automated optical inspection | enhanced capacitive touch based automotive infotainment applications | Announced in February with general sampling to begin in April 2015 |
| Broadcom BCM58100 MCU | first family of secure microcontrollers with embedded near field communication (NFC) | integrate NFC for tap-to-access, tap-to-pair and tap-to-pay applications with a high level of security | Sampling since April 2015 |
| Infineon XMC4800 | the first EtherCAT node integrated on an ARM Cortex-M controller with on-chip flash and analog/mixed signal capabilities | enables the most compact designs, eliminating the need for a dedicated EtherCAT ASIC, external memory and crystal | Samples available from August 2015. Volume production from Q1 2016 |
| Renesas RX23T Group | built-in FPU (floating-point processing unit)
the RX200 core the current consumed in software standby mode (with RAM retention) is a mere 0.45 μA |
precise control and quieter motor in home appliance | Mass production from August 2015 |
| STMicroelectronics SPC58NExx | MCUs compliant with automotive safety standards, encryption for security, and increased memory size for the storage of vital programs and data | fault-tolerant microcontrollers for demanding applications throughout the car | Samlping since April 2015 |
| STMicroelectronics STM32F469/479 | ARM Cortex-M4 MCU (Microcontroller Unit) core augmented by the Chrom-ART Accelerator and ART Accelerator that speed up graphics and real-time processing as well as access to the MCU’s program memories | MIPI display serial interface) has been integrated in addition to the TFT-LCD controller. LCD-TFT and MIPI-DSI display interfaces enables an advanced user interface while granting enough resources for demanding real-time processing | Sampling since April 2015 |
| STMicroelectronicsSTM32L4 | At an active power consumption as low as 100µA/MHz, this IC can achieve a performance of up to 100DMIPS | Optimised for ultra-low power consumption for wearable devices | General release was Q2 2015 |
