Sub R4 microcontrollers for IoT devices and nodes

28 October 2020 DSP, Micros & Memory

In the prevalent era of IoT technology, a local company, Climax Electronics, has been evaluating low-cost microcontrollers for IoT devices/nodes over the past year in its R&D; department. These single-processor and multi-processor microcontrollers are ‘constrained’ devices in that they have minimal memory and on-board peripherals, but are suitable for many applications where monitoring sensors, controlling actuators, signal processing, control logic and HMI (human machine interface) can be offloaded from the main communications used in hardware for IoT solutions.

By having a modular approach to designing IoT hardware and writing firmware, these low-cost microcontrollers are highly suitable for niche and/or high-volume applications, whereby the only thing needed to make them an IoT device is by adding some form of communications and protocol.

The firmware is developed in C or assembly language and the R&D; department is continuously building on its in-house library of software functions to make application development quicker and easier for proof of concept (POC) ideas for the hardware in end-user IoT devices/nodes.

The microcontrollers are available in OTP (one-time programmable) and Flash for code storage, secure and unmarked to protect IP (alleviating reverse engineering), and giving the end user the option to mark the ICs with their own branding; an alternative to custom FPGA/ASIC technology. Development tools include ICE (in-circuit emulation) and a programmer (suitable for factory automation programming) for single- and multi-processor microcontroller variants.

For further information contact Climax Electronics, +27 79 888 7981, www.fog-iot.com

Further reading:

Industrial-grade ESP32-S3 controller
DSP, Micros & Memory
Erqos Technologies has introduced the EQSP32CE, a CE-certified, industrial-grade ESP32-S3 controller designed for developers who want the flexibility of the ESP32 ecosystem in hardware that can be deployed directly into real-world automation.

Read more...

---

Next-gen smart module powers intelligence at the edge
iCorp Technologies DSP, Micros & Memory
Quectel Wireless Solutions has expanded its smart module portfolio with the SH803FD, a new-generation, high-performance smart module.

Read more...

---

Advanced sensing powers modern drones
Future Electronics DSP, Micros & Memory
Allegro MicroSystems has a portfolio of sensors, motor drivers, and power management devices specifically designed to enhance drone efficiency, reliability, and control.

Read more...

---

Addressing latency and signal integrity challenges
Altron Arrow DSP, Micros & Memory
Strengthening Microchip Technology’s data centre solutions portfolio, its XpressConnect retimers support high-bandwidth architectures, while helping reduce integration complexity.

Read more...

---

ESP32-S31 for advanced IoT
iCorp Technologies DSP, Micros & Memory
At the heart of the device is a dual-core 32-bit RISC-V MCU operating at up to 320 MHz, delivering 6,86 CoreMark/MHz performance with MMU support for efficient memory management.

Read more...

---

Cortex-M33 performance for cost-sensitive designs
Future Electronics DSP, Micros & Memory
The STM32C5 series from STMicroelectronics introduces a new generation of entry-level microcontrollers engineered to deliver enhanced processing capability, modern security, and cost-effective scalability for connected embedded applications.

Read more...

---

Memory shortage 2026: Engineering implications for South Africa
DSP, Micros & Memory
[Sponsored] Addressing this challenge requires system-level thinking and adoption with McKinsey Electronics providing the engineering and sourcing framework required to maintain system resilience despite ongoing global constraints.

Read more...

---

Cost-effective microcontroller series
Altron Arrow DSP, Micros & Memory
The STM32C5 series from STMicroelectronics delivers an excellent balance of performance, efficiency, and affordability for embedded designs that require more capability without increasing bill of materials cost.

Read more...

---

Battery-friendly Thread and BLE solution
iCorp Technologies DSP, Micros & Memory
Positioned as an incremental upgrade to the ESP32-H2, Espressif’s ESP32-H21 adds an integrated DC-DC converter that reduces active current draw and helps extend battery life in power-sensitive consumer and industrial devices.

Read more...

---

Next generation HMI processing platform
Future Electronics DSP, Micros & Memory
Microchip’s latest hybrid MCU SiP integrates an Arm926EJ-S processor with 512 Mb of DDR2 SDRAM and is engineered to meet the rising demand for sophisticated HMI solutions in modern vehicles.

Read more...

---