STM32U5 general purpose microcontrollers confirm cyber protection
PSA Certified Level 3 and SESIP 3 certifications have been awarded to STMicroelectronics’ STM32U585 microcontroller. Passing tests for logical, board, and basic physical resistance confirm a “substantial level of cyber protection” says the company.
With enhanced tamper resistance and software protection, the STM32U585 is also suitable for controlling personal identification number (PIN) transaction security (PTS) equipment that must satisfy Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) requirements. The secure, general-purpose microcontroller therefore offers an all-in-one solution that simplifies the design and production of point of sale and self-service payment terminals, said ST.
Typically, achieving recognition as an official PTS Approved Device requires a dedicated security chip to resist online and side-channel attacks, with a separate microcontroller (MCU) to manage features such as the keyboard, display, and USB connection. Using the STM32U585 consolidates these capabilities which not only simplifies design but also streamlines production logistics such as purchasing and inventory management. Terminal makers can also test and certify their products to applicable standards such as PCI PTS v6 more quickly and easily, ST added.
The STM32U585 is compliant with Arm Trusted Base System Architecture (TBSA) requirements and features Arm TrustZone architecture. Security features for connected devices include cryptographic accelerators, secure data storage, secure firmware installation, secure boot, and secure firmware update.
Additional security features include internal monitoring that erases secret data in the event of a perturbation attack. (This contributes towards meeting PCI SSC requirements for PoS applications.) Other features include hardening encryption of symmetric and asymmetric public-key accelerators (AES, PKA) against attacks with side-channel analysis (SCA), a hardware unique key for secure data storage, and built-in active tamper detection.
The Arm Cortex-M33 embedded core combines peripherals including two ADCs, two DAC channels, two op-amps, two comparators, and multiple timer channels including general-purpose, low-power, and PWM motor-control timers.
The STM32U585 is based on 40nm process technology. Proprietary features include autonomous peripherals which operate while the main circuitry sleeps to save energy, and selectable voltage regulators that cut dynamic consumption to less than 19 microA/MHz.
The STM32U585 is part of ST’s STM32Trust roadmap which brings together knowledge, STM32 MCUs and MPUs, STSAFE common criteria certified secure elements, tools, hardware and software, and design services to help developers protect their designs and ensure secure connectivity and system integrity.
The STM32U585 is in production now in a 7.0 x 7.0mm UFBGA169 package.
