Collaboration Enables Superior Performance in Computer Vision Applications and Advanced Graphics Experiences
Macronix International Co., Ltd., a leader in the non-volatile memory (NVM) market, has announced that STMicroelectronics (ST) has selected its OctaFlash™ memory to power the new high-performance microcontroller platform STM32N6, equipped with the Neural-ART Accelerator™, a neural processing unit (NPU) developed by ST for artificial intelligence applications at the network edge (edge AI).
The use of Macronix’s MX25UW1G45G and MX25UM51245G memory in the STM32N6 Discovery and STM32N6 Nucleo evaluation kits will provide designers with optimized tools to develop advanced artificial intelligence applications and high-performance graphics in sectors such as industry, wearable devices, smart home, and healthcare.
Innovation in Microcontrollers with Artificial Intelligence
The STM32N6 is ST’s first microcontroller to incorporate the Neural-ART Accelerator™, an NPU that operates at 1 GHz and achieves up to 600 GOPS, enabling real-time execution of neural networks for computer vision and audio processing applications. Based on the Arm® Cortex®-M55 core, with Arm Helium vector technology, the microcontroller offers unprecedented processing power in its category.
In this context, Macronix’s OctaFlash memories play a key role by providing instant boot and high responsiveness in real-time systems. Its OctaBus™ technology allows operation at frequencies of up to 250 MHz, achieving a read speed of 500 MB/s, making it ideal for demanding applications in artificial intelligence, advanced graphics, and edge data processing.
A Leap in AI Processing Capabilities at the Edge
Daniel Colonna, Marketing Director of the General Purpose and Automotive Microcontrollers Division at STMicroelectronics, emphasized the significance of this partnership:
“Neural processing represents an exciting opportunity for the STM32N6 and future ST microcontrollers, which we look forward to seeing implemented in industrial and consumer markets. To ensure that designers have the best tools, we have selected Macronix’s OctaFlash MX25UW1G45G and MX25UM51245G memories for the STM32N6 Discovery kits.”
For his part, F.L. Ni, Vice President of Marketing at Macronix, highlighted the role of memory in the new generation of microcontrollers:
“The STM32N6 represents a key evolution in microcontrollers for artificial intelligence at the edge. ST’s choice of our high-performance memories is a testament to their reliability and security in demanding applications, ensuring an optimal experience for developers and users.”
Advanced Memories for a New Era of Embedded Devices
The OctaFlash MX25UM/UW memories stand out for their compatibility with critical technologies such as:
- Execute in Place (XIP), allowing code to run directly from memory without the need to copy it to RAM.
- Efficient management of OTA updates, ensuring software integrity and security in connected devices.
- Density of up to 2 Gb, sufficient to support advanced graphical interfaces and AI-intensive workloads.
A Growing Ecosystem
The STM32N6, along with Macronix’s OctaFlash memory, is designed to facilitate the development of applications in sectors where artificial intelligence and advanced graphical experiences are critical, such as automotive, industry, smart devices, and digital health.
The new evaluation kits are already available for select customers, allowing developers to experience the capabilities of the STM32N6 and the advantages of OctaFlash memory.
More information about Macronix’s memories and the new STM32N6 platform is available on their respective websites.
via: Press Release