The Internet of Things has become the most popular technology application. Any application needs a powerful and energy-efficient processor. To become the brain of interconnection solutions, the processor must combine hardware with advanced algorithms, so as to provide smart, functional and localized decisions for Internet of Things solutions.
Efficiency and ultra low power combined to maximize benefits of Internet of Things
As for the so-called Internet of Things application, we can imagine an Internet of Things device is the connection point between the physical world and the digital world, and it must integrate sensors, converters, processors, transceivers and other devices which can collect and transmit data. In order to promote the development of the Internet of Things, which requires high smartness, precision and reliability, devices running at the forefront of the Internet of Things, such as components that provide detection, measurement, interpretation, connection and analysis functions, are required to maximize the benefits of the Internet of Things.
In order to meet the requirements of the Internet of Things for efficiency and power consumption, ADI launched an ultra low power microcontroller unit (MCU) ADuCM4050, which can be used for processing, control and connection, and also addresses the rapidly growing need for embedding advanced algorithms while consuming the lowest system power at Internet of Things edge nodes.
The ADuCM4050 MCU includes an ARM® Cortex®-M4 core with floating-point unit, expanded SRAM, and embedded flash memory, and has built-in digital peripherals, analog subsystems providing clock, reset and power management functions, and analog-to-digital converter (ADC) subsystems, so as to allow localized decision making and ensure that only the most important data is sent to the cloud. The new MCU uses SensorStrobe™ technology allowing it to remain in a low power state while Analog Devices’ sensors and RF technology are still collecting data. This enables the ADuCM4050 MCU to deliver over 10 times system-level power savings that result in extended battery life or longer time between battery charges.
Key feature enhancements have been added for operation in harsh environments. Security is also enhanced with the ADuCM4050, due to its encryption that provides stronger IP protection for the designer and better protection against malware and misuse. Among these are the AES 128/256, SHA 256, block ciphers for code protection, key wrap, and the HMAC. The new ultra low power MCU complements Analog Devices’ already existing class-leading ADuCM302x series of parts and offers pin compatibility.
The ADuCM4050 MCU targets applications where long battery life is critical, but where security, performance integrity, and the ability to pre-process and filter sensor data to eliminate artifacts and noise are also requirements. Applications include clinical vital-signs monitoring, smart energy management, and asset health/factory equipment reporting.
The ADuCM4050 supports multiple digital- and analog-sensor inputs via its SensorStrobe technology so they can be combined to analyze their data for smarter, more sophisticated functionality. There is no need to wake up the microcontroller frequently to report routine or partial data, thus saving significant power over the long term.
The extremely low power requirements of the ADuCM4050 are seen in its 40μA/MHz active-mode consumption, which drops to 680nA in hibernate mode. The large amount of SRAM and flash memory - 128kB and 512kB, respectively - and the ability to retain almost all of the SRAM, enables it to get data ready quicker when it wakes up from hibernate (sleep) mode, another major power-saving feature.
The ADuCM4050 seamlessly works with the industry leading, ultralow-power, low-g ADXL362 and the newly announced ADXL372 micropower high-g MEMS accelerometer as part of Analog Devices’ portfolio of ultra low power technology. SensorStrobe technology also works seamlessly with these sensors to unlock additional system-level power savings.
Besides ultra-low power consumption, the ADuCM4050 also has high performance, proven by a ULPBench score of 203 (Embedded Microprocessor Benchmark Consortium). It can be widely applied to Internet of Things, smart agriculture, smart buildings, smart metering, smart cities, smart machines, sensor networks, wearable equipment, fitness and clinical medicine, machine learning and neural networks.
In order to assist customers in rapidly developing Internet of Things products, ADI also launched the EV-COG-AD4050 development platform, which is the ADuCM4050 version of the COG development platform and can be used for ADI ultra-low power technology development of ADI MCU and RF transceiver product families. The EV-COG-AD4050 board uses CrossCore Embedded Studio, an open source Eclipse-based Interactive Development Environment (IDE), which can be downloaded for free by customers. The platform includes many hardware and software example projects to help designers to prototype and create connected systems and solutions for the Internet of Things applications.
The EV-COG-AD4050 development platform features on-board ultra-low power ARM Cortex M4F MCU, no external debugger/emulator tools required, small form factor (75mm x 35mm), multiple power options – USB, coincell, external, Li-ion, and onboard peripherals – accelerometer, temperature sensor. It is compatible with ADI RF daughter cards, and RF modules, and also compatible with ADI application add-on boards (Gears). It also has expansion connectors and jumpers for providing external access to all MCU signals. Cog development system is designed to rapidly improve the development/prototyping capabilities of industrial, professional and consumer customers in a flexible radio, microprocessor, sensor and application development environment.