As artificial intelligence (AI) and edge processing integration accelerate across industrial automation use cases, NXP Semiconductors has announced the MCX A5 family of microcontroller units (MCUs) in a bid to simplify secure connectivity for industrial and internet of things (IoT) edge applications.
According to research from Omdia, simplification is of increasing importance as artificial intelligence and edge processing integration are accelerating across industrial automation use cases, reflecting a growing trend of manufacturers connecting equipment for greater operational intelligence.
However, NXP noted that many industrial edge devices today remain disconnected or rely on legacy connections such as RS-232 and RS-485, limiting access to the real-time operational data needed to enable effective automation.
Offering a solution to these issues, the MCX A5 family is designed to deliver the industry’s first implementation of topology discovery enabled on a wired MCU with 10BASE-T1S Ethernet digital PHY, secured by post-quantum cryptography (PQC). Developers are able to connect more industrial edge devices while preparing designs for evolving cyber security requirements.
Looking at key features, these are said to include simplified industrial networking, greater network visibility and a designed for long product lifecycles. The new family is attributed with helping customers connect more edge nodes to Ethernet without the cost and complexity traditionally associated with industrial networking.
By extending secure connectivity to more endpoints, NXP said manufacturers can access richer operational data for predictive maintenance, intelligent energy management, industrial automation, edge AI and more.
From a specific technological basis, the MCX A5 family is built on an Arm Cortex-M33 core, running up to 240 MHz. Integrated 10BASE-T1S digital PHY supports compact, low-cost multi drop Ethernet networks for distributed industrial nodes, reducing components, cost and design complexity for industrial connectivity.
An integrated 10BASE-T1S Ethernet digital PHY has been built to enable more sensors, actuators and controllers to connect directly to IP networks while reducing system cost and complexity. It is claimed to offer an industry-first topology discovery on a wired MCU automatically identifies and maps connected devices, streamlining deployment and management. It also combines PSA Certified Level 3 security with post-quantum cryptography support.
The MCX A5 family is sampling now. Commenting on the launch, Charles Dachs, executive vice-president and general manager of secure connected edge at NXP Semiconductors, said industrial edge AI cannot realise its full potential without access to real-time data, requiring developers to have expertise in networking, security, software and long product lifecycles.
“That’s why we’re investing across our portfolio in solutions like the MCX A5 family, helping customers securely connect more devices, simplify software development and unlock the trusted data needed for intelligent edge applications,” he said.
Paolo Faraldi, chief technology officer of CAREL, a developer of control intelligence for HVAC/R systems, added: “The future of industrial AI depends on access to trusted data, requiring connectivity, cyber security and AI to work together seamlessly.
“The MCX A5 family delivers the forward-looking innovation we require, combining advanced Ethernet connectivity with next generation security technologies such as post-quantum cryptography to gather trusted data from the very edge of industrial systems. This ensures we are more than ready to deliver state-of-the-art solutions our customers need and to meet the challenges that will emerge over the coming years.”
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