Cortex-M55 MCU Empowered with AI-at-the-Edge Neural Network Accelerator

Infineon, a leading semiconductor manufacturer, has recently unveiled a new family of microcontrollers that combines cutting-edge technology to cater to the growing demands of the Internet of Things (IoT) and industrial sectors. This family of microcontrollers integrates an Arm Cortex-M55 core, an Arm Ethos-U55 machine learning processor, and an Arm Cortex-M33 core, which boasts built-in security features. Additionally, Infineon has incorporated its own neural network accelerator, called 'NNLite', into these microcontrollers.

The inclusion of the Arm Cortex-M55 core, with its 'Helium' DSP support, enables these microcontrollers to efficiently handle complex computational tasks. This makes them particularly well-suited for applications in IoT, smart home systems, security devices, wearables, and robotics. Infineon emphasizes that these microcontrollers are designed to support 'always-on' sensing and response, further enhancing their suitability for these industries.

One notable feature of the new microcontrollers is the ample on-chip memory they offer, including non-volatile RRAM. This ensures that the devices can store and process large amounts of data efficiently. Moreover, the microcontrollers also support secured external memory, providing users with flexibility in expanding their storage capacity.

Although Infineon has not released much public information about the new family of microcontrollers, they have revealed that it will be named 'PSoC Edge'. The company also stated that the family is currently available for early access customers, indicating that it is already in the testing and development phase.

With the increasing demand for advanced microcontrollers in various industries, Infineon's new family of microcontrollers is set to make a significant impact. By combining powerful processing capabilities, machine learning support, and enhanced security features, these microcontrollers offer a comprehensive solution for IoT and industrial applications. As early access customers begin to explore the potential of the 'PSoC Edge' microcontrollers, it will be interesting to see how they contribute to the advancement of technology in these sectors.