AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) is a type of encryption that uses a common key and is widely used in devices that require security.
Many EFM32s have AES built into the hardware. Of course, it can also be implemented in software, but because it requires array operations, the processing time will be extremely long and it will also use a large amount of RAM. The advantages of using AES in hardware are as follows.

• Extremely short processing time

Since the MCU core does not operate, the occupied time of the MCU core can be greatly reduced. This greatly improves the degree of freedom in timing in system design.

• don't use RAM

If implemented in software, RAM is required for array operations.

• Low power consumption

Since the operation time of the MCU core can be reduced, power consumption can be reduced. In addition, the AES accelerator can operate in low power consumption mode (EM1) and can be linked with DMA, further reducing power consumption.