Low Power MPU For Connecting 2 Cameras, Several Peripherals, OTA Updates

[ISeed]

Hello, all!

For some time now I have been trying to come up with a solution to connect 2 cameras of 480X640 resolution and several peripherals to a low-power MCU.

I keep hitting a wall, because it seems that this endeavor is not suitable for an MCU - the large RAM required to host 600K image, the fact that I can't connect 2 USB / DCMI cameras and need several MCUs that defeat the purpose, the fact that having a DCMI, an FSC and several peripherals on the same MCU, that is also, low-power, is unheard of..

So, I'm trying my luck with an MPU:

• does ST offer a low-power MPU that has a large RAM, >100 IOs, and most importantly - can interface 2 USB cameras?
• Is there a tool like MCU FInder for MPUs?
• Are there guides for getting strated with ST MPUs?
• Is it possible to perform an Over The Air Update with an ST MPU?

Thanks!

** Partial answers will be much appreciated as well. Just starting off with the MPU direction, and want to understand if it suits my needs and how challenging it would be.

[PatrickF · Accepted solution]

Hello,

MCU selector already includes our STM32MP1 series MPU as well, although currently not always reflecting all MPU features. This is under alignment for next STM32CubeMx releases.

To answer your questions:

Yes, ST offer a low-power MPU, having large RAM (external DDR up to 1GByte), 2 x USB Hosts High-Speed + 1 x USB OTG High-Speed (pins shared with one of the USB Host) or Full-Speed with dedicated pins.

No issue to interface 2 x USB VGA Cameras (or using DCMI with external mux in case only one camera at a time is needed).

For sure, low power is not in same range than MCUs (especially because of high speed processor and external DDR in self refresh). Depends on your use cases and power targets.

OverTheAir update is not present in our SW deliveries, but full Flash content could be updated by Linux itself. You could probably find 3rd party or open sources solutions for OTA.

For detailed information on ST MPU offer, please have a look to STM32MP1 series product page and STM32 MPU wiki.

Notice that MPU Discovery kit STM32MP157C-DK2 might be offering what you want for quick prototyping or evaluation (4 x USB host, WLAN, Display, etc...). You could also find HW and SW solutions from our partners.