Seeking Recommendations for Dual-Core STM32 Microcontrollers

[STbeginner]

Hello everyone,

I am currently working on a project that requires a dual-core microcontroller with the following specifications:

• Flash Memory: 256 KB to 1 MB
• RAM: 16 KB to 64 KB
• Architecture: 16-bit / 32-bit MCUs
• RTOS Support: Yes
• Clock Frequency: 48 MHz to 100 MHz
• Core: Dual core
• Over The Air programming: Yes

I would greatly appreciate your suggestions on the best STM32 models that meet these criteria. If you have experience with any specific models, please share your insights regarding their performance, ease of use, and any potential drawbacks.

[Ozone]

> I am currently working on a project that requires a dual-core microcontroller ...

Why is that ?

Dual core MCUs add significant complexity.

[Andrew Neil]

Overview of the STM32 Microcontroller range here:

https://www.st.com/en/microcontrollers-microprocessors/stm32-32-bit-arm-cortex-mcus.html

You can see that STM32H7 is the dual-core family

https://www.st.com/en/microcontrollers-microprocessors/stm32h7-series.html

See also:

https://www.st.com/content/st_com/en/stm32-mcu-product-selector.html

https://www.st.com/en/development-tools/st-mcu-finder-pc.html

https://www.st.com/en/development-tools/stm32-finder.html

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@STbeginner wrote:

• Over The Air programming: Yes

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So you want a radio?

Options there are:

But they may not fit your other criteria.

Perhaps explain your actual system requirements?

As @Ozone says, why specifically dual-core? What system requirement drives that?

[STbeginner]

Hi, 

Thanks for replying i don't need a radio it's more like an RFID reader controller, like an access control system.

[STbeginner]

Hi,

Thanks for replying i need to run two simultaneous tasks at the same time without interruption.

[Andrew Neil]

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@STbeginner wrote:

i don't need a radio .

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You said you wanted Over-The-Air programming.

So that's not actually a real requirement?

[Andrew Neil]

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@STbeginner wrote:

i need to run two simultaneous tasks at the same time without interruption.

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Do you really?

(almost) all microcontroller systems are handling multiple "tasks", and manage to do it without requiring separate cores.

It seems highly unlikely that "an RFID reader controller, like an access control system" really needs dual cores.

Again, look at your system requirements before leaping into implementation details like this.

[Ozone]

> ... i don't need a radio it's more like an RFID reader controller, like an access control system.

Any radio / RF module requires external hardware, and can be interfaced by almost every MCU.
For "over the air programming" (I suppose support for firmware updates via some wireless channel), you most probably need external modules and addittional effort. I know of no STM32 supporting this in the bootloader ROM.

Aren't there specific solutions for RFID / NFC from competitors ?

[TDK]

Probably any STM32 MCU can meet your needs. RFID reader is not going to tax any onboard resources.

Narrow your search by choosing cost/size/performance. If these not restrictions, STM32H7 is going to be the most powerful. Single core will be much easier to work with. I am unconvinced that your project requires dual core. Obviously, it's up to you but expect the overhead and learning curve of a dual core to be significant.

[Andrew Neil]

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@TDK wrote:

Probably any STM32 MCU can meet your needs. RFID reader is not going to tax any onboard resources.

:

I am unconvinced that your project requires dual core.

 Indeed.

@STbeginner  Previously, you said you'd selected STM32C051G8GU6 as the main controller of the RFID system:

https://community.st.com/t5/stm32-mcus-products/stm32c0-use-internal-oscillators/td-p/792414

That's just a Cortex-M0+ - very much at the lower end of the STM32 space.

So what makes you now think that you need to go dual-core?

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@TDK wrote:

expect the overhead and learning curve of a dual core to be significant.

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Absolutely - and @Ozone said it, too!

Especially as a beginner, and in the light of that previous question, are you sure you want to get into all that at this stage?

BTW: If that previous question is now resolved, please go and mark the solution in that thread.