STMicroelectronics has released the STM32L496 and STM32L4A6, additional microcontrollers that combine ARM Cortex-M4F core performance with proprietary ultra-low power technology. They feature increased memory, enhanced graphics support, added peripherals, and reduced power consumption.

RAM increased to up to 320 Kbytes complements the Chrom-ART Accelerator graphics engine for smooth display performance in energy-sensitive applications such as IoT devices and smartwatches.

In addition, up to 1 Mbite of flash, CAN interface, camera interface, and Crystalless Full Speed USB OTG are provided. The new high-pin package (UFBGA169) enables the combination of digital and smart analog functions along with new peripherals. The STM32L4A6, equipped with hardware cryptographic acceleration, executes SHA-256 and AES-128/192/256 algorithms.

The STM32L4 device offers both excellent core performance and ultra-low power efficiency. With an active mode current consumption of 37µA/MHz, it can operate for a long time on a small battery and can also be powered by peripheral sources.

In addition, ST offers an option to increase efficiency by supplying power to the core from an external DC/DC converter. Seven major low-power modes are supported with various options such as I/O level and SRAM content retention, and multiple sub-modes are also provided for each that can precisely trim power consumption according to various application requirements.

The new MCU line is supported by a vast ecosystem including STM32Cube tools and software, two Nucleo-144 boards, the STM32L496 Discovery Kit with onboard audio/graphics capabilities, and support for connectivity with Arduino, Pmod, and STMod+. The Nucleo-L496ZG-P features an onboard DC/DC converter that powers the core directly, enabling developers to easily utilize a flexible power architecture for power-sensitive applications.