Maxim Integrated MAX32666 microcontroller

The MAX32666 is the latest addition to Maxim Integrated’s smart, function-rich DARWIN family of high-performance microcontrollers (MCUs). In contrast to traditional architectures, the MCU is said to reduce form factor and design footprint, enabling IoT device designers to consolidate up to three sockets found in their current designs. The dual Cortex-M4F MCU provides efficient computation of complex functions, operating at up to 96 MHz; this is claimed to speed up data processing by 50% over the closest competitor.

To replace the need for a separate power management IC (PMIC), the product features an integrated single-inductor, multiple-output (SIMO) regulator, which extends the life for small-sized battery applications. The MCU offers Bluetooth Low Energy 5.2 (BLE 5.2), supports up to 2 Mbps of data throughput and long range (125 and 500 Kbps), and offers transceiver output power of +4.5 dBm programmable down to -95 dBm.

It protects applications from cybersecurity threats with trust protection unit (TPU) and big math acceleration for fast Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA). The IC’s hardware accelerators provide AES-128, -192 and -256 encryption, while TRNG seed generator and SHA-2 accelerator enhance security. It also protects IP firmware with secure bootloader.

The device has up to 1 MB flash memory and 560 KB of SRAM with optional error correcting code (ECC) for the most robust applications, as well as multiple high-speed peripherals. It can manage high amounts of data and accommodate large applications without running out of code space through efficient operation.

The ultralow-power dual Arm Cortex-M4 MCU with floating-point unit (FPU) extends battery life by combining robust memory, security, communications, power management and processing functions traditionally performed by multiple MCUs into a single device with a small 3.8 x 4.2 mm footprint. Multiple power-down modes support long battery life, achieving 1.2 µA at 3.3 V in the lowest power mode.