M261ZIAAE

Introduction

The NuMicro® M261ZIAAE microcontroller is part of the M261/M262/M263 series from Nuvoton, designed to meet the growing demands of the Internet-of-Things (IoT) era. With a core based on the Arm® Cortex®-M23 processor and Armv8-M architecture, the M261ZIAAE is built for efficiency and security. Operating at frequencies up to 64 MHz, the microcontroller comes with significant embedded memory of 512 Kbytes Flash and 96 Kbytes SRAM. It is designed for low-power operation, ranging from 1.8 V to 3.6 V, and can function within a wide temperature spectrum of -40 °C to +105 °C.

Function & Applications

The M261ZIAAE targets a variety of applications within the IoT domain, such as smart home devices, industrial control systems, smart city infrastructure, security systems, electronic payments, wireless data collectors, and handheld medical devices. It boasts numerous features that cater to these applications, from multiple power-down modes that facilitate energy conservation to robust security mechanisms, including secure boot and AES hardware acceleration for trustworthy software execution and data encryption.

Performance Parameters

Performance-wise, the M261ZIAAE excels with low power consumption figures: 97 µA/MHz in LDO mode and 45 µA/MHz in DC-DC mode during operation, 2.8 µA in Standby Power-down mode, and less than 2 µA in Deep Power-down mode without VBAT. Various power modes are supported for different operational scenarios, enhancing its adaptability in battery-powered IoT applications. The MCU also incorporates a range of timers, PWM channels, and high-speed analog components, ensuring that it can manage complex tasks efficiently.

Package Types, Interface & Pin Configuration

For physical integration, the M261ZIAAE is offered in a compact QFN33 (5 mm x 5 mm) package that is pin-to-pin compatible, facilitating ease of design and product feature optimization. Interface-wise, it incorporates Voltage Adjustable Interface (VAI) with 4 I/O pins, as well as a variety of communication peripherals, including UART, I²C, SPI, and a Secure Digital Host Controller.

Reliability & Lifespan

The M261ZIAAE is designed for reliability, with features that prevent system tampering and ensure the stability of operation through components like the temperature sensor, low voltage reset, and brown-out detector. Its robust design intends to offer a long service life, although specific lifespan information is subject to Nuvoton's reliability testing and usage conditions.

Standards & Certifications

As a product in the semiconductor industry, the M261ZIAAE is likely to adhere to standard manufacturing quality and environmental compliance certifications. However, specific certifications should be confirmed directly with Nuvoton or official product documentation.

Application Cases & Reference Designs

Nuvoton provides support for development through the NuMaker M261/M262/M263 evaluation boards and the Nu-Link debugger, along with software tools and IDE support from Arm® Keil MDK, IAR EWARM, and NuEclipse with GNU GCC compilers. Reference designs and application cases are made available by Nuvoton, showcasing the M261ZIAAE's capabilities in target applications, aiding developers in jump-starting their design process for the respective IoT and industrial applications.

In conclusion, the NuMicro® M261ZIAAE microcontroller is a versatile and robust platform optimized for IoT applications requiring low power consumption and high-level security. Its comprehensive set of features and tools make it a compelling choice for developers working on the cutting edge of IoT device design.