Toshiba Introduces ARM® Cortex®-M3 Microcontrollers “TXZ+™ Family Advanced Class” with 1MB Code Flash Memory Supporting Firmware Updates without Interrupting Microcontroller Operation

June 27, 2023

Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation

Toshiba Introduces ARM® Cortex®-M3 Microcontrollers “TXZ+™ Family Advanced Class” with 1MB Code Flash Memory Supporting Firmware Updates without Interrupting Microcontroller Operation

KAWASAKI-Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation ("Toshiba") has added new products "M3H group (2)" to the “M3H group” of the 32-bit microcontroller product group “TXZ+™ Family Advanced Class” equipped with Cortex®-M3 using the 40nm process.

In recent years, the need for larger program capacity and support for FOTA (Firmware update Over The Air) has been increasing. This is driven by the penetration of digital technology, especially in the IoT (Internet of Things) area, and by the increasingly advanced functionality required in various devices. The new products M3H group (2) has expanded the code flash memory capacity from 512KB (partially 256KB or 384KB) of the Toshiba’s existing products M3H group (1) to 1MB[1], and the RAM capacity from 66KB[2] of the Toshiba’s existing products M3H group (1) to 130KB[2]. Other features, such as an ARM® Cortex®-M3 core running up to 120MHz, integrated code flash, and 32KB data flash memory with 100K program/erase cycle endurance have been maintained. These microcontrollers also offer various interface and motor control options, such as UART, I2C interface, Advanced Encoder Input Circuit, and Advanced Programmable Motor Control Circuit. Toshiba’s lineup of Microcontrollers in the M3H group contribute to IoT and advanced functionality in a wide range of applications including motors, home appliances, and industrial equipment.

In the new products, the 1MB[1] code flash is implemented with two separate areas of 512KB each. This implementation allows instructions to be read from one area, while the updated code is programmed into the other area in parallel. Finally, the firmware rotation function is realized by the area swap function[3].

The M3H group products are equipped with UART, TSPI, I2C interface, 2-unit DMAC and an LCD Display Controller[4] to meet the requirements from a variety of consumer or industrial applications. To support various kinds of sensing, the new products have maximum 21 channels of 12-bit high-speed, high-precision analog/digital converter (ADC), that are selectable from two sample hold time for each analog input pin. In addition, they are suitable for controlling AC motors and brushless DC motors in combination with an advanced Programmable Motor Control Circuit and Advanced Encoder Input Circuit that can operate synchronously with the high-speed, high-precision 12-bit analog/digital converter.

The self-diagnosis functions incorporated in the devices for flash memory, RAM, ADC and Clock help customers to achieve IEC 60730 Class B functional safety certification.

Documentation, sample software with actual usage examples, and driver software that controls the interfaces for each peripheral are available. Evaluation boards and development environments are provided in cooperation with ARM® global ecosystem partners.

Applications

  • For the main control of consumer equipment (home appliances, toys, health care equipment etc.) and office equipment (multi-function printers, etc.)
  • For the motor control of consumer equipment, industrial equipment
  • For IoT of consumer equipment, industrial equipment, etc.

Features

  • High-performance ARM® Cortex®-M3 core, max 120MHz
  • Increased capacity of internal memory
    Code flash memory capacity: 1MB[1]
    RAM capacity: 130KB[2]
  • Area swap method firmware rotation function, supporting firmware updates while the microcontroller continues to operate[3].
  • Self-diagnosis functions for IEC 60730 class B functional safety
  • Extensive package lineup

Main Specifications

Product group name M3H group (2)
CPU core ARM® Cortex®-M3
‒ memory protection unit (MPU)
Maximum operating frequency 120MHz
Internal oscillator Oscillation frequency 10MHz (+/-1%)
Internal memory Code flash memory 1024KB[1]
(Program/erase cycles: up to 100,000 times)
Area swap method firmware rotation function with two separate code flash areas of 512KB each[3]
Data flash memory 32KB (Program/erase cycles: up to 100,000 times)
RAM 128KB and Backup RAM 2KB, with parity
I/O port 56 to 134
External interrupt 12 to 23 factors
DMA Controller (DMAC) DMA requests: 2 units, 54 to 64 factors, internal/external triggers
Timer function 32-bit Timer Event Counter (T32A) 8 channels
(16 channels if used as 16-bit timer)
Real Time Clock (RTC) 1 channel
Communication function UART 7 to 8 channels
I2C interface (I2C) 2 to 4 channels
TSPI 1 to 5 channels
Analog function 12-bit AD Converter 12 to 21 channels inputs
8-bit DA Converter 2 channels
Comparator 1 channel
Motor control circuits Advanced Programmable Motor Control Circuit (A-PMD) 1 channel
Advanced Encoder Input Circuit (32-bit) (A-ENC32) 1 channel
Other peripherals circuits Remote Control Signal Preprocessor (RMC) 1 channel
CRC Calculation Circuit (CRC) 1 channel, CRC32, CRC16
LCD Display Controller (DLCD) Non-Bias Drive: 40 segments × 4 commons (max)[4]
System function Watchdog Timer (SIWDT) 1 channel
Voltage Detection Circuit (LVD) 1 channel
Oscillation Frequency Detector (OFD) 1 channel
On Chip Debug function JTAG / SWD
Operating voltage 2.7 to 5.5V, single voltage supply
Package / Pin LQFP144 (20mm × 20mm, 0.5mm pitch)
LQFP128 (14mm × 14mm, 0.4mm pitch)
LQFP128 (14mm × 20mm, 0.5mm pitch)
LQFP100 (14mm × 14mm, 0.5mm pitch)
QFP100 (14mm × 20mm, 0.65mm pitch)
LQFP80 (12mm × 12mm, 0.5mm pitch)
LQFP64 (10mm × 10mm, 0.5mm pitch)

Notes:
[1] Code flash memory capacity of TMPM3HNFDBFG is one 512KB area.
[2] Includes 2KB of backup RAM.
[3] TMPM3HNFDBFG is not supported.
[4] TMPM3HLF10BUG has no LCD Display Controller.

Follow the link below for more on the new product.

M3H group (2) 

Follow the link below for more on Toshiba’s Microcontrollers.

Microcontrollers

Customer Inquiries:

  MCU & Digital Device Sales & Marketing Dept.

  Tel: +81-44-548-2233

* ARM and Cortex are registered trademarks of ARM Limited (or its subsidiaries) in the US and/or elsewhere.
* TXZ+™ is a trademark of Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation.
* Other company names, product names, and service names may be trademarks of their respective companies.

Information in this press release, including product pricing and specifications, content of services and contact information, is current and believed to be accurate on the date of the announcement, but is subject to change without prior notice. Technical and application information contained here is subject to the most recent applicable Toshiba product specifications.

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