STMicroelectronics is the manufacturer of the STM32F722RET6 Microcontroller (MCU). This is an MCU that uses the internal oscillator. Oscillators play an important role in the overall functionality of consumer electronics, as they help in optimizing the clock architecture for the best functions.
This article explains how the STM32F722RET6 Microcontroller (MCU) combines all the peripherals ranging from the internal oscillator and Arm Cortex-M7 architecture to deliver high-performance functioning.
The Core Process
The Arm Cortex-M7 is the core processor for the STM32F722RET6 MCU. According to the manufacturer, it is a 32-bit RISC Core processor that among many other things, helps the STM32F722RET6 to operate at the highest frequencies possible, up to 216 Megahertz (MHz).
The Benefits of the Core Processor Basis
The basis of the STM32F722RET6 on the Arm Cortex-M7 RISC core processor offers a wide range of benefits to the MCU.
At the core of these advantages is the possible use of the STM32F722RET6 Microcontroller (MCU) to resolve some of the design challenges faced by technical and commercial digital circuit engineers when working on an MCU.
The Arm Cortex-M7 Core processor offers many solutions to help the design iterations to be scaled in the shortest time possible. These solutions range from the integration of a non-volatile embedded memory technology, high-performance architectures and hardware accelerators.
The STM32F7 Series
This is the core Microcontroller (MCU) family for the STM32F722RET6. It would later be broken down based on the types of MCUs supported. The STM32F722RET6 falls into the STM32Fx2 sub-category/line of the broader STM32F7 family.
What makes this family of MCUs unique? According to the manufacturer, the STM32F7 family of Microcontrollers (MCUs) offers one of the highest levels of performance, as they are generally optimized around the provisions of the integrated Arm Cortex-M7 RISC core processor.
The high-performance of the STM32F722RET6 MCU is regardless of the code execution method, which could either be via the external memories or the FLASH.
The STM32F722RET6 also aligns with the excellent Adaptive Real-Time (ART) Accelerator. It is an accelerator that helps the STM32F722RET6 MCU to scale the operations.
Also supported here is the L1 cache, which provides up to 8 kilobytes of data cache and up to 8 kilobytes of instruction cache. It also allows a 0-wait state execution from the external memories and the embedded FLASH memory on the STM32F722RET6 MCU.
STM32F722RET6 is a Compatible MCU
Following the high-performance optics deliverable via the Arm Cortex M-7 Core processor, STM32F722RET6 can now interface with other devices. For example, it Core processor, the Cortex M-7 is backward-compatible with the Cortex M-4 instruction set. That also means that the STM32F722RET6 can also interface with the STM32F4 series of Microcontrollers (MCUs).
STM32F722RET6 Unleashes a “Smarter Architecture”
A “smart architecture” in this context, means that the STM32F722RET6 Microcontroller (MCU) releases certain features that go a long way to improve the performance. This is not leaving out the fact that these features align with the Arm Cortex M-7 Core processor.
The following are some of the new peripheral sets making up the STM32F722RET6 MCU:
1. It Features a Larger SRAM
STM32F722RET6 supports the SRAM program memory type and for this purpose, it enables a “scattered architecture” that allows for the memory to be versatile.
The versatility or scattered architecture includes but are not limited to the 4KB of backup SRAM that keeps the data in the lowest power modes; the 16KB of Tightly-Coupled Memory for Instructions (ITCM), which are used for time-critical routines and the 512KB of Universal Data Memory.
We would also highlight that the 512KB of Universal Data Memory includes up to 128KB of Tightly-Coupled Memory for Data (DTCM).
These two are then used for facilitating time-critical data handling tasks, such as the heap and the stack.
2. STM32F722RET6 Supports Peripheral Interconnection
Several peripherals can be connected and interconnected via the “smarter architecture” offered by STM32F722RET6. Here, the combination of the Multi-AHB and the AXI matrixes. These combinations help to make STM32F722RET6 MCU’s interconnection to memories, cores and peripherals possible.
3. It Supports Flexible Clock Changes
Changes made to a Microcontroller (MCU)’s clock might influence how it turns out to function later-on.
However, it is possible to make important changes to the system clock, without endangering how it works. STM32F722RET6 ensures that this works because of the independent functioning of the peripheral speed from the CPU speed.
4. Dual Integrations
STM32F722RET6’s MCU can be used for two core integrations, which are analog and audio. The analog integration involves using two 12-bit DACs, and three 12-bit ADCs that potentially reach 2.4 Msample/s or up to 7.2 Msample/s when in the Interleaved Mode.
The analog integration also supports an analog true random number generator, up to eighteen units of the 16 and 32-bit timers running at up to 216 MHz; and an easily extendable memory range.
This memory range uses the flexible memory controller, especially on the packages exceeding 100 pins. The extendable memory range also includes interoperability with a 32-bit parallel interface and a support for the following program memories:
- SDRAM
- Compact Flash
- NAND
- NOR
- SRAM
- PSRAM
STM32F722RET6’s extendable memory range also uses the Dual-Mode Quad-SPI Flash memory interface to allow for code execution on the target applications. The code execution is enabled via the external serial Flash memory.
Product Attributes
Below are some of the characteristics of the STM32F722RET6 Microcontroller (MCU):
| Attributes | Descriptions |
| Type of Oscillator | Internal |
| Size of the Core Processor | 32-Bit, Single-Core |
| Voltage – Supply (Vcc/Vdd) | 1.7 volts to 3.6 volts |
| Speed | 216 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | -40˚C – 85˚C |
| Connectivity Options | USB, CANbus, UART/USART, 12C, SAI, IrDA, SPI, LINbus, QSPI, MMC/SD |
| Supported Peripherals | WDT, Brown-Out Detect/Reset, POR, DMA, PWM, and I2S |
Final Words on STM32F722RET6
STM32F722RET6 belongs to the STM32 high-performance Microcontroller (MCU) family, which combines with the STMicroelectronics’ Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) to deliver a power-efficient, scalable and interoperable MCU.
The performance of this Microcontroller (MCU) is directly proportional to the level of security provided. It derives the application security from the implementation of the full set of DSP instructions, as well as from the Memory Protection Unit (MPU) all designed to keep the system and the target applications safer.
