800 MHz microcontroller (also) for satellite lasers

Starlink satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) for internet supply communicate with each other using laser light. Particularly powerful microcontrollers are needed to control these laser modules. According to STMicroelectronics, SpaceX relies on variants of the STM32V8 for this purpose. Its ARM core of type Cortex-M85 clocks at up to 800 MHz.

Thanks to its vector processing units (M-Profile Vector Extension, MVE), it is fast enough for some AI algorithms.

18-nanometer technology on FD-SOI wafers

Another special feature is the very fine manufacturing process for microcontrollers with 18-nanometer technology on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers, more precisely: fully depleted SOI (FD-SOI).

STMicro produces the chips in its plant in Crolles, France (near Grenoble) and at Samsung. For other FD-SOI chips, STMicro cooperates with Globalfoundries.

FD-SOI is less sensitive to ionizing radiation than other semiconductor manufacturing processes. This is an advantage when used in space. However, LEO satellites typically do not have a long operational life.

4 MB PCM, 1.5 MB RAM

The STM32V8 also contains up to 4 megabytes of built-in non-volatile memory with Error Correction Code (ECC). STMicro uses Phase-Change Memory (PCM) instead of flash cells. PCM is also less sensitive to ionizing radiation than NAND or NOR flash.

STMicro also lists up to 1.5 MB RAM, up to 140 degrees Celsius junction temperature, and numerous integrated interfaces such as CAN bus, 1 Gbit/s Ethernet, USB 2.0 High-Speed, and the Chrom-ART 2D graphics core with JPEG decoder as further advantages of the STM32V8. In some application areas, the STM32V8 is expected to be able to replace more complex microprocessors.

STMicro plans to deliver the STM32V8 types in larger quantities starting in 2026.

(ciw)