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Nuvoton M2003 Arm Cortex-M23 MCU: Power-Efficient Embedded Solutions

Header image showing Nuvoton M2003 Arm Cortex-M23 MCUs

Nuvoton M2003 Arm Cortex-M23 MCU Series: Core Features and Applications

With continuous advancements in semiconductor technology, the performance of 32-bit MCUs has been steadily improving while costs have decreased, making them the mainstream choice for many industries. The rapid growth in applications such as AIoT, industrial automation, smart homes, energy storage, and automotive electronics has placed higher demands on microcontroller performance. Traditional 8-bit microcontrollers often fall short in such applications, driving the widespread adoption of more powerful 32-bit solutions.


To address these market needs, Nuvoton Technology has launched the M2003 series, a 32-bit MCU based on the Arm® Cortex®-M23 core. This series offers fast computing capabilities, enhanced with a 32-bit hardware multiplier/divider, and supports 5V operating voltage with high interference immunity. The small 20-pin package design (TSSOP20 and QFN20) ensures that the M2003 delivers both performance and system cost optimization.


  • Core Performance: The Arm Cortex-M23 core operates at up to 24 MHz, delivering fast, efficient processing for demanding embedded applications.

  • Memory and Peripherals: The series offers 32 KB of Flash memory, 4 KB of SRAM, and comprehensive peripheral support, including timers, UART, I2C, and ADC, to meet the performance needs of diverse embedded systems.

  • Low Power Operation: The MCU consumes as little as 130 µA/MHz during operation, ensuring suitability for energy-efficient designs.


Advantages of 32-bit MCUs Over Traditional 8-bit Solutions

The M2003 series addresses the limitations of traditional 8-bit microcontrollers by offering enhanced processing power, better peripheral integration, and wider voltage support. Key features include:


  • 32-bit Hardware Multiplier/Divider: Delivers faster mathematical operations compared to 8-bit counterparts, ensuring better performance in real-time control and signal processing tasks.

  • 5V Operating Voltage and Interference Immunity: The M2003 series supports a voltage range from 2.4V to 5.5V, which is particularly beneficial for systems with high noise or interference, such as industrial automation and automotive electronics.

  • Optimized System Cost: Despite being a 32-bit MCU, the M2003’s small package design ensures that it can fit within tight budgets, while still delivering high performance for cost-sensitive applications​.


M2003 pin compatibility with NuMicro 1T 8051 Series

Nuvoton developed the M2003 series as a seamless upgrade to its own 1T 8051 microcontroller series:


  • N76E003 (N76E003AT20, N76E003AQ20)

  • N76S003 (N76S003AT20, N76S003AQ20)

  • MS51 (MS51FB9AE, MS51XB9AE)

  • MG51 (MG51FB9AE, MG51FC9AE, MG51XB9AE, MG51XC9AE)


Pin compatibility with these 1T 8051 microcontrollers enables easy performance upgrades for your boards that are already in volume production.


Table showign pin 2 pin compatibility between Nuvoton's 8051 MCUs and the new 32-Bit family, the M2003.

With much of the industry using 32-bit MCUs (such as the NuMicro series) upgrading classic 8-bit applications with the 32-bit M2003 simplifies in-house software IP maintenance.


Rich Peripheral Set and Flexible Connectivity

To meet diverse performance design requirements while reducing size and cost, the M2003 series offers a robust set of peripherals:


  • Timers: 4 sets of 32-bit timers, 1 watchdog timer, and a 3-channel enhanced input capture timer provide precise control and timing.

  • Communication Interfaces: 2 UARTs, 1 I2C, and a Universal Serial Control Interface (USCI) that can be flexibly configured as UART/SPI/I2C, all equipped with independent FIFOs to ensure data integrity during high-speed communication.

  • Analog Peripherals: Includes an 8-channel, 12-bit ADC capable of 500 ksps and a 6-channel, 16-bit PWM, ideal for precise sensor measurements and motor control.

  • Small Package Size: Available in TSSOP20 and QFN20 (3 x 3 mm), the M2003 fits into compact spaces, making it ideal for consumer electronics and other size-sensitive applications.


Complete Development Ecosystem for Efficient Design

Nuvoton provides an advanced development ecosystem for the M2003 series, aimed at simplifying the development process and increasing efficiency.


  • NuTool - CodeGenerator: This in-house tool from Nuvoton allows developers to quickly generate initialization projects, complete with peripheral, pin, and clock configurations. It integrates smoothly with Keil, IAR, and NuEclipse IDEs, helping to streamline development time.

  • ISP and IAP Support: The M2003 series supports both ISP (In-System Programming) and IAP (In-Application Programming) for easy system updates and firmware upgrades, ensuring the system remains up to date.

  • Development Tools: The M2003 series is fully supported by the NuMaker-M2003FC development board and Nu-Link debugger, and is compatible with Keil MDK, IAR EWARM, and NuEclipse IDE. It uses the GNU GCC compiler, providing a robust and complete development environment​.


Applications of Nuvoton M2003 in Real-World Scenarios

The M2003 series is ideally suited for applications requiring compact, power-efficient MCUs with reliable performance across multiple industries:


  • Industrial Automation: Offers the flexibility and interference immunity needed for systems exposed to harsh conditions, ensuring precise control in automated production lines.

  • AIoT and Smart Homes: The low power consumption and rich peripheral set make the M2003 series ideal for connected IoT devices that require reliable data communication and sensor integration.

  • Automotive Electronics: With its wide operating temperature range and robust communication interfaces, the M2003 is well-suited for automotive control systems, where durability and reliable performance are essential.


Block diagram of the Nuvoton M2003 MCU family architecture

Key Technical Specifications of the Nuvoton M2003 Series

  • Core: Arm Cortex-M23, 24 MHz with 32-bit multiplier/divider

  • Memory: 32 KB Flash, 4 KB SRAM

  • Peripherals: 4 timers, 6 channels of 16-bit PWM, 8 channels of 12-bit ADC

  • Interfaces: 2 UART, 1 I2C, 1 USCI (configurable for UART/SPI/I2C)

  • Operating Voltage Range: 2.4V to 5.5V

  • Temperature Range: -40°C to 105°C

  • Development Ecosystem: NuTool - CodeGenerator, ISP/IAP support, NuMaker-M2003FC development board​.





Conclusion

The Nuvoton M2003 Arm Cortex-M23 MCU series offers a powerful combination of performance, peripheral integration, and low power consumption, making it the perfect choice for a variety of embedded applications. With its support for a wide voltage range, robust peripheral set, and a complete development ecosystem, the M2003 addresses the growing needs of applications such as AIoT, industrial automation, smart homes, and automotive systems.


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