Arm® Cortex®-M4 Microcontroller- for Space & Industrial Applications
Explore VORAGO's comprehensive line of Arm® Cortex®-M4 MCU solutions, designed to meet your technical requirements with precision and reliability. Our Arm Cortex M4 microcontroller product range is tailored for space and industrial applications, providing dependable performance in challenging conditions.
For a deeper understanding of MCU (Microcontroller Units) and how they compare to MPUs (Microprocessor Units), explore our MCU vs MPU Guide.
Why Choose VORAGO for Arm Cortex M4 MCU Solutions?
Space and Industrial Expertise: VORAGO Technologies provides Arm Cortex-M4 family microcontrollers, specifically designed for space and industrial environments. These components are meticulously engineered to mitigate single event upsets and prevent latch-up, thereby satisfying the most demanding requirements for space exploration missions and critical qualifications. With a Total Ionizing Dose (TID) tolerance exceeding 300 krad (Si), these microcontrollers are suitable for deployment in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO), and beyond.
Exceptional Reliability: Our Arm® Cortex®-M4 microcontrollers are built for environments where performance and uptime are non-negotiable. Error Detection and correction (EDAC) with hardware scrub engine for Soft Error Rate (SER) reduction of < 1E-15 errors/bit-day for the memory increase reliability for the mission critical applications where data integrity is paramount. Hardware scrub also reduces the chances of system crashing due to memory malfunctions and extends the function life of the memory by preventing error accumulation. From radiation hardness to thermal management, our solutions withstand extreme conditions.
Power Efficiency: With a focus on low-power operation, our M4 MCU solutions are optimized for energy efficiency, crucial for space and industrial applications where power consumption can be a limiting factor.
Scalability and Flexibility: VORAGO's M4 MCU family offers exceptional scalability, letting you perfectly match features and price to your application's requirements. You can start with the VA41628, an entry-level device featuring a 50 MHz core frequency and essential peripherals. For higher performance and more advanced capabilities, step up to the 100MHz VA41630, which comes loaded with features like Fast Ethernet, CAN 2.0, and robust ADC/DAC.
Interested in understanding more on how radiation-hardened MCUs perform in critical environments? Check out our Rad Hard MCU Selection Guide.
Key Features of Arm Cortex M4 Solutions
Floating Point Unit (FPU): VORAGO Technologies' Arm Cortex-M4 based processor, with its single-precision FPU, is well-suited for applications requiring efficient real-time control and signal processing such as, complex motor control algorithms and robotic arms.
Digital Signal Processing (DSP): Our Arm M4 microcontrollers come equipped with an advanced DSP capability, making them ideal for applications requiring high-speed computation and signal processing, such as audio processing, image processing, and communications.
Scalability for Complex Applications: The Arm Cortex-M4 MCU offers flexibility and scalability, suitable for everything from small-scale embedded systems to large industrial networks, ensuring that your solutions grow with your needs.
Efficient Power Management: Built for long-term performance with minimal power consumption, VORAGO’s M4 microcontrollers are perfect for low-power systems that require sustainable operation over extended periods, reducing the need for frequent maintenance or replacements.
SPACE GRADE
Introducing the VA41630, VORAGO's flagship Arm Cortex-M4 microcontroller. This device is uniquely engineered using our patented HARDSIL® technology within a bulk CMOS process, providing robust immunity to the harsh radiation found in space, including high Total Ionizing Dose (TID), Single Event Upsets (SEU), and Single Event Latch-up (SEL). This is a full feature device that supports advance communication interfaces such as, full-duplex space wire interface, fast Ethernet, CAN 2.0; integrated analog features such as, 12-bit ADC and 12-bit DAC, a temperature sensor and UART, SPI and I2C peripherals.
Its QML-K and QML-Q+ (in progress) certifications underscore its high reliability. The VA41630 integrates 256KB of internal FRAM, removing the need for external memory components, which helps to lower overall system cost and shrink the form factor.
With a range of packaging options, including 176-pin Ceramic QFP, 176-pin Plastic QFP, and 196-pin Plastic BGA, you get the flexibility to choose the perfect fit for your project. This ensures you can meet specific application requirements, balancing the need for QML-qualified reliability with budget considerations.
The device is perfectly suited for:
Scientific Instrument Control & Data Acquisition: Integrated FPU is critical for processing data from multiple sensors to drive accurate information, image filtering and to reduce data volume for transmission over vast distances.
Motor Control: Complex motor control algorithms such as, Field Oriented Control (FOC) of BLDC and PMSM motors
Satellite Bus Control: Managing the core functions of the satellite including attitude determination and control system.
Payload Control: Antenna pointing mechanisms and data routing ensuring uninterrupted service in highly radiated environment.
While similar to the VA41630, the VA41620 stands out by not including integrated FRAM. This gives you the flexibility to select the most suitable boot memory for your specific application. To support this, the VA41620 features an additional master-only SPI dedicated to external boot memory, leaving its three other general-purpose SPIs free for diverse applications.
This device is suited for:
Deep Space Probe Autonomy and Fault Management: Providing the primary computational power for autonomous navigation, scientific instrument control, and crucial fault detection and recovery.
Rad-Hard Data Recorders and Memory Controllers: Managing the storage and retrieval of invaluable scientific data collected from distant and hostile environments.
Lunar rover and mining equipment control in the Lunar gateway and long duration lunar missions where the environment and the transit to the it exposes systems to periods of intense GCRs and SEPs outside Earth’s protective magnetosphere.
For applications that don't require all the features of the VA41620, this device offers a cost-effective alternative. It keeps the core's maximum frequency, communication and analog peripherals, GPIOs, and Timers/PWM intact, providing essential functionality without unnecessary system expense.
The VA41628 is an entry-level part that delivers the same exceptional space radiation performance found across VORAGO's M4 family. This device simplifies the transition for those migrating from Arm Cortex-M0 MCUs, making it a highly suitable choice for critical applications such as thrusters.
INDUSTRIAL
This latch-up immune device can withstand a very high temperature range of -55° to 175°C and testing for 200°C (in progress). Here's a list of applications that can benefit from such robust microcontrollers:
Drilling equipment in Oil and Gas Exploration (Down-hole applications): Monitoring and control of drill bits, sensors (temperature, pressure, flow), and down-hole tools.
Well logging: Data acquisition from sensors placed in boreholes to characterize geological formations.
High temperature sensing and actuation applications such as, Furnace control, oven monitoring and boiler management
Process control in heavy industry: Monitoring and control systems in factories with high ambient temperatures (e.g., steel mills, glass manufacturing, chemical plants).