Automotive MCUs with extensible memory ease SDV design

STMicroelectronics recently introduced its Stellar series of automotive microcontrollers (MCUs) with xMemory, a new generation of extensible memory. The automotive MCUs with embedded extensible memory will enable simpler and more scalable computing platforms for software-defined vehicles (SDV) and evolving electric vehicle (EV) architectures.

STMicroelectronics' Stellar series of automotive MCUs with xMemory, a new generation of extensible memory.

(Source: STMicroelectronics)

Memory has become a bottleneck in automotive development as software complexity increases due to new features and regulations, over-the-air updates, and memory-intensive AI and machine-learning applications, ST said. xMemory, powered by ST’s proprietary embedded phase-change memory (ePCM), addresses this challenge by extending the memory either during the development phase or when the vehicle is in the field for scalable application upgrades.

Instead of managing multiple devices with different memory options, along with the related development and qualification costs, Stellar MCUs with xMemory offers a single device with extensible memory, which enables carmakers to future-proof their designs, resulting in lower development costs and a simpler supply chain, ST said.

ST’s ePCM
ST said it has been at the forefront of the transition from Flash to embedded non-volatile memory (eNVM) technology in automotive MCUs. The company introduced the first 28-nm eNVM qualified for automotive applications, which is at the core of the xMemory.

ST claims the industry’s smallest eNVM cell size with PCM fabricated at 18-nm and 28-nm nodes, providing twice the memory density of other technologies, including traditional flash and other emerging embedded NVM technologies.

The latest-generation PCM technology will be available on all upcoming Arm-based Stellar P and G automotive MCUs. The portfolio includes Stellar Integration MCUs (Stellar P and Stellar G series) for centralized zone and domain controllers and body applications, which consolidate the functions of multiple, separate communication and control ECUs, and Stellar Electrification MCUs (Stellar E series), which are optimized for control of EV traction-module power converters.

The xMemory technology will be first available on the Stellar P6 MCUs, which target the new drivetrain trends and EV architectures. Production will start later in 2025.

The post Automotive MCUs with extensible memory ease SDV design appeared first on Electronic Products.