32-Bit MCU features embedded hardware security module to safeguard applications 

Industrial and consumer application designers must consider implementing security functionality in their devices during the development process as security threats evolve and become more sophisticated. To allow designers to easily integrate security into their applications, Microchip Technology announces a new family of PIC32CZ CA 32-bit microcontrollers with a 300 MHz Arm Cortex-M7 processor, an integrated Hardware Security Module (HSM), and a wide range of connectivity and Flash memory options for added flexibility.

Highly configurable PIC32CZ CA devices are available with a 300 MHz Arm Cortex-M7 processor

The new family of PIC32CZ CA devices includes the PIC32CZ CA90 with a HSM or the PIC32CZ CA80 without the integrated HSM. The HSM in the PIC32CZ CA90 is a monolithic solution that provides advanced security for industrial and consumer applications. The HSM operates as a secure subsystem with a separate MCU on board that runs the firmware and security features including hardware secure boot, key storage, cryptographic acceleration, true random number generator and more.

For products that require added security, factory provisioning is available on the PIC32CZ CA90 which, upon completion, provides customers with pre-provisioned devices ready to be deployed. Microchip’s Trust Platform Development Suite is an in-house secure provisioning tool that enables a secure supply chain channel at scale or in low-volume production. 

“The PIC32CZ CA microcontrollers make it easier for our customers to implement embedded security features into their design,” said Rod Drake, corporate vice president of Microchip’s MCU32 business unit. “These are extremely versatile MCUs with the option of factory provisioning at low-volume production and other customisable configurations such as connectivity and memory to fit many different requirements.” 

The PIC32CZ CA MCUs can be configured using a wide range of connectivity options including USART/UART, I²C, SPI, CAN FD, High-Speed USB and Gigabit Ethernet. The Ethernet option includes Audio Video Bridging (AVB) and Precision Time Protocol (PTP) based on the IEEE 1588 standard.  These devices are scalable with 2, 4 or 8 MB of on-board Flash, 1 MB of SRAM and Error Correction Code (ECC) memory to mitigate data corruption. 

The PIC32CZ CA devices are the latest 32-bit MCUs to join Microchip’s broad portfolio of PIC32 and SAM families that provide high-performance, functional capabilities and many features to customise and create innovative products.