Getting Started with the STM32MP1 Starter pack
Channel: STMicroelectronics
Date: 2019-02-20

Find out more information: http://bit.ly/STM32MP1

Introducing our STM32MP1 microprocessor series with dual Arm® Cortex®-A7 and Cortex®-M4 Cores

A general-purpose microprocessor portfolio enabling easy development for a broad range of applications, the STM32MP1 series is based on a heterogeneous single or dual Arm Cortex-A7 and Cortex-M4 cores architecture, strengthening its ability to support multiple and flexible applications, achieving the best performance and power figures at any time. The Cortex-A7 core provides access to open-source operating systems (Linux/Android) while the Cortex-M4 core leverages the STM32 MCU ecosystem.

The STM32MP1 comes with many benefits including a rich development ecosystem:

Mainlined open-source Linux distribution with Android support available via partners
STM32Cube firmware and embedded software libraries for Cortex-M4 core
An optional 3D graphics processing unit (GPU) provides for advanced HMI development
Rich set of digital and analog peripherals
Advanced security features
Optimized bill of materials (BOM) thanks to: High integration, packages compatible with low-cost PCB technologies (down to 4-layer plated-through hole (PTH) PCBs) and dedicated Power Management IC (PMIC)
Advanced tools from ST and Partners
Best-in-class local and online support       
Worldwide distribution channels
Rolling 10-year longevity commitment renewed every year
 
STM32 ecosystem with support for open-source operating systems
Developers familiar with the Cortex®-M4 MCU environment will easily find their marks as they will be able to use the same STM32Cube toolset including GCC-based IDEs, STM32CubeProgrammer and STM32CubeMX, which includes the DRAM interface tuning tool for easy configuration of the DRAM sub-system.

When developing for the Arm® Cortex®-A7 core, ST helps eliminate potential roadblocks through the development of its mainlined open-source OpenSTLinux Distribution to ensure that porting application software is fast and easy.

An extensive third-party ecosystem is available to help developers thanks to the ST Partner Program.

Flexible architecture
The single or dual Cortex-A7 cores are dedicated to open-source operating systems while the Cortex-M4 core is dedicated to real-time and low-power tasks.

Dual Cortex®-A7 cores running at 650 MHz
32-Kbyte L1 Instruction cache
32-Kbyte L1 Data cache
256-Kbyte Level 2 cache
Cortex®-M4 core running at 209 MHz
a single-precision floating point unit (FPU)
a full set of digital signal processor (DSP) instructions
memory protection unit for enhanced application security
The Cortex-M4 core benefits from an embedded SRAM (448 Kbytes) to run purely deterministic code. For instance, a customer currently using an STM32 MCU based on STM32Cube firmware, could transparently fully re-use his code on the Cortex-M4 core’s 448 Kbytes of SRAM, and add the Linux application (for instance an HMI) running on the Cortex-A7 core(s).

To meet a broad range of applications requirements, most peripherals can be allocated to either the Cortex-A7 or Cortex-M4 cores.

Power efficiency
Dynamic efficiency: the Cortex-A7 and Cortex-M4 cores can be run or stopped independently to achieve the best power efficiency for each processing and real-time application requirement.
Low-power modes: Multiple low-power modes are available including:
Standby mode: Down to 36 µW.
VBAT mode: Down to 4.5 µW. In this mode, it is possible to keep track of time using the real-time clock while keeping the system secure thanks to the tamper detect feature.

The STM32MP1 series is available in 3 different lines which are pin-to-pin compatible:
STM32MP157: Dual Cortex-A7 cores @ 650 MHz, Cortex-M4 core @ 209 MHz, 3D GPU, DSI display interface and CAN FD
STM32MP153: Dual Cortex-A7 cores @ 650 MHz, Cortex-M4 core @ 209 MHz and CAN FD
STM32MP151: Single Cortex-A7 core @ 650 MHz, Cortex-M4 core @ 209 MHz
Each line comes with a security option (cryptography & secure boot)