STMicroelectronics STM32MP21 microprocessors

STMicroelectronics has introduced STM32MP21 microprocessors (MPUs) for edge applications in smart factories, smart homes and smart cities, combining advanced cores and peripherals with strong security targeting SESIP Level 3 and PCI pre-certification.

Extending ST’s STM32MP2 series, the new MPUs with a 1.5 GHz 64-bit Arm Cortex-A35 core and advanced 32-bit Cortex-M33 at 300 MHz facilitate fast execution times with flexibility. The two cores handle complex tasks and real-time control, adding the opportunity for boot processing on the Cortex-M33 to launch services quickly and accelerate system wake-up from power-saving modes.

Bringing a focused feature set, the microprocessor integrates MIPI CSI-2 and image signal processing (ISP) pipeline for machine-vision applications such as industrial inspection and barcode or QR-code readers. Also, two Gigabit Ethernet ports with Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) support applications that need determinism, low latency, jitter-free communication, synchronisation and scheduling.

On top of DDR4/LPDDR4 DRAM support, the series supports DDR3L memory, enabling designers to enhance system performance, footprint and BoM.

The security architecture shared throughout the series of microprocessors is built to comply with strengthened regulations worldwide, including the incoming EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA). A secure hardware cryptographic accelerator inhibits physical attacks, while supporting secure boot and applicative needs. Code isolation with Arm TrustZone protects startup and sensitive processes, completed with hardware protection of memory and peripherals leveraging ST’s proprietary resource isolation framework (RIF) to prevent tampering.

The STM32 ecosystem also provides extensive software and tools for building and testing MPU applications. These include ST Edge AI desktop and cloud tools, OpenSTLinux and software expansion packages, as well as evaluation boards, the STM32MP215F-DK Discovery kit, and adapter boards. On top of the well-established OpenSTLinux distribution, with Yocto and Buildroot flavours, a bare metal offer will be available for the STM32MP2 series in 2026, as presented previously for the STM32MP13 series.