Analog Devices: More Than Just Analog – What are the capabilities of their ultra-low-power MCUs and VS Code-based development environment?

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"Isn't Analog Devices just an analog company?" -- For those who think that way, Analog Devices' current MCU portfolio is definitely worth considering as one of your options.

Analog Devices has significantly expanded its MCU lineup through the integration of Maxim Integrated. Furthermore, it provides CodeFusion Studio ™, a VS Code-based integrated development environment, to facilitate smooth development.

This article summarizes key points, including an introduction to features such as ultra-low power consumption and small packaging, an overview of MCUs and how to choose one, and boards/modules to help you get started with evaluation smoothly.

Analog Devices' MCU lineup: Expanding options from low power consumption to wireless capabilities.

The integration of Maxim adds Bluetooth-enabled MCUs to Analog Devices' MCU portfolio. Furthermore, the addition of SIMO (Single Inductor Multiple Output) technology, which generates multiple voltage outputs from a single inductor, enables both space savings on circuit boards and lower power consumption, strengthening the lineup for IoT and wearable devices.

MCU lineup overview: Covering low power consumption, security, wireless, and AI.

Analog Devices has a broad portfolio of MCUs.

• AI MCU: Equipped with an accelerator for AI processing.

• Ultra-secure MCU: Implements robust security features for payment terminals and other applications.

• Ultra-low power consumption MCU: Achieves industry-leading low power consumption.

• Wireless MCU: Equipped with Bluetooth communication functionality.

This article introduces the "MAX326xx" series of MCUs (indicated by the red box), which are easy to use for a wide range of applications.

Features of the MCU "MAX326xx" series

The MCU "MAX326xx" series shares the following common features:

Features of Analog Devices' MCU "MAX326xx" series

■ Industry-leading ultra-low power consumption
Featuring multiple low-power modes, it achieves industry-leading ultra-low power consumption, contributing to maximizing battery life.

■ Equipped with a high-performance CPU core and large-capacity memory.
It uses an Arm Cortex-M4F CPU core (operating at up to 120MHz). It has up to 3MB of flash memory and up to 1MB of SRAM built in.

■ Ultra-compact package for space saving
We offer a lineup of industry-leading small packages, including 1.6mm x 1.6mm. These are ideal for applications where minimizing mounting space is crucial.

■ Strong security & reliability
Leveraging the expertise gained from developing ultra-secure MCUs, we are expanding our product lineup to include features such as encryption, secure boot, and ECC memory.
It is a general-purpose MCU, yet it boasts robust security and reliability.

■ Wireless connectivity via Bluetooth
We now offer models equipped with Bluetooth 5.2 (BLE). This meets the growing need for wireless communication driven by the advancement of IoT.

Portfolio of the "MAX326xx" series

The MAX326xx series offers a diverse portfolio, ranging from ultra-compact, low-cost models to highly integrated models.

example)

MAX32660: An ultra-compact model with a simple configuration.

MAX32665: Equipped with Bluetooth. A dual-core model capable of offloading communication and main processing.

MAX32655: Equipped with Bluetooth. A dual-core model that can offload Bluetooth processing.

MAX32690: A highly integrated model featuring 3MB of flash memory, 1MB of SRAM, and a high-precision ADC.

Selection guide

The supported features of the MAX326xx series can be found in the comparison table below.

MAX326xx Series Lineup and Feature Comparison Chart

Memory package size comparison

An MCU that achieves this size using a Cortex-M4F processor is a rare option on the market. This size offers a significant advantage in wearable devices and small sensors, where minimizing board space directly impacts product value.

MAX326xx Memory Size and Package Size Comparison

application

The MAX326xx series is particularly useful in the following applications:

■ Wearable devices
It is ideal for wearable devices such as smartwatches and fitness trackers that require long battery life and a compact design.

■ Portable medical devices
This is an area where we have had strengths since the days of the old Maxim, thanks to our security features and reliability.
With the addition of Bluetooth-enabled MCUs to Analog Devices' analog technology, it's now possible to unify data acquisition and transmission using Analog Devices' solutions.

■ IoT sensors
The acquired data can be processed at the edge and transmitted to a higher-level system via Bluetooth.

■ Industrial equipment
In addition to large-capacity memory, models that support external memory expansion have also appeared. This has led to increased adoption in industrial equipment.

Two types of evaluation boards tailored to your specific needs.

Analog Devices offers two types of evaluation boards to suit different verification purposes.

Rapid Prototyping Board

This compact evaluation board is ideal for proof-of-concept (PoC) and rapid prototyping of sensor modules. It is suitable for integration into existing systems and breadboard deployment.

Full-featured evaluation board (EVKIT)

This evaluation board features peripheral functions similar to those found in the final product.
A full-scale evaluation is possible without any additional design work.

CodeFusion Studio™ is an integrated development environment based on VS Code.

Analog Devices offers its integrated development environment (IDE), CodeFusion Studio ™, free of charge. Based on Microsoft 's source code editor, Visual Studio Code (VS Code), it unifies the IDE and SDK (Software Development Kit). It provides a stress-free development environment with an intuitive interface that many engineers are familiar with.

CodeFusion Studio™ has the following main features:

■ Extensive libraries and sample code
Analog Devices' software development kit, MSDK, provides a wealth of peripheral drivers, utility functions, and readily usable sample code. Complex functions can be easily implemented using templates. It also supports the real-time operating system Zephyr OS, providing tools and templates for smooth development within the Zephyr environment.

■ Intuitive GUI screen
Pin assignments, clock frequencies, peripheral functions, and other settings can be easily completed using the mouse on the GUI screen. This eliminates the need for traditional coding and complex configurations, allowing for immediate operation.

■ Workspace template function corresponding to each evaluation board
Workspace templates are available for each evaluation board. Simply select the target MCU and evaluation board, and the pin settings and peripheral functions will be automatically configured in the workspace. This reduces the time and effort required for initial setup and environment preparation, allowing you to start evaluations quickly.

CodeFusion Studio™ Workspace template function compatible with each evaluation board

Let's start by trying it out with Macnica original modules and boards.

At Macnica, we not only offer Analog Devices' MCUs as standalone products, but we also provide two types of original modules and boards to enable early market entry.

Macnica-made BLE module with technical compliance certification.

This module board features the MAX32655 chip with Bluetooth 5.2 support and comes with a pre-installed antenna. It allows you to skip the complex wireless circuit design process and quickly begin evaluation.

By combining a BLE module the size of a 1-yen coin, you can easily make your equipment and devices wireless.

Since it has obtained technical standards conformity certification based on the Radio Law, it can be used immediately.

This will significantly reduce development time and shorten the time to market.

Macnica IoT Reference Board for Sigfox

This reference board allows for rapid prototyping and evaluation of IoT devices. It features a 1.6mm square ultra-compact MCU"MAX32660," a Sigfox communication module, and three types of sensors.

■ Setup is complete just by placing it down.
It employs the LPWA communication standard "Sigfox," which enables low-power, wide-area communication. No SIM card is required, and setup is easy. Measurement data is sent (uploaded) to the Sigfox cloud, and can be accessed and analyzed from the customer's environment.

■ Equipped with high-precision sensors as standard, and expandable.
It comes standard with an Analog Devices accelerometer, Sensirion temperature/humidity sensor, and CO2 sensor. A Qwiic connector is included, allowing for easy addition of sensors by simply plugging it in.

■ Low power consumption design for worry-free battery operation
Thanks to its low power consumption design, it can run for extended periods not only on an external power source but also on small batteries such as AA batteries or coin cells.

For specifications and BOM information, please see this product page.
　

MAX32660 Reference Board for Sigfox - Semiconductor Business -Macnica

This is ideal for those who want to quickly start IoT development and bring their projects to market rapidly. Please take advantage of it.

This time, we introduced Analog Devices' general-purpose MCU"MAX326xx" series. Analog Devices' ultra-low power consumption MCU lineup is an option that we would like to encourage even those who have the image of "Analog Devices is an analog company" to consider.

All evaluation boards and modules are available for immediate testing. Please feel free to contact us.