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STMicroelectronics

Demo shows the advantages of dual core technology

Mjølner helps microchip giant STMicroelectronics

STMicroelectronics (also called ST) is one of the world’s leading players within semiconductor manufacturing. ST has one of the industry’s broadest product portfolios, and among its strengths is an expertise in chips using dual- and multi-core technology.

In close collaboration with ST, Mjølner created an innovative demo to highlight the benefits of dual-core technology. By developing the demo as a game, running on STM32H747I Discovery kit, we made it easier to enhance the benefits and reach the target group.

Industry:

Manufacturing

We delivered:

Software consultants

Technology:

Digital transformation, Embedded GUI development, Embedded user interface development, Interface design, Internet of things, User experience

STMicroelectronics came to Mjølner with a challenge. Their STM32H747XIH6 chip with dual-core technology had been on the market for some years, but they needed to make the benefits more understandable for their customers. They wanted a demo that would showcase the capabilities and value of their dual-core, STM32H7 technology. The dual-cores make it possible to reduce processing time by performing tasks in parallel.

The challenge, however, was to develop a simple solution to convey the benefits of the dual-core technology. A solution that shows the customers how they can utilize two cores to perform several tasks simultaneously.

Some of Mjølner’s main expertise are implementation and use of ST’s software tool TouchGFX on hardware and utilization of machine learning technology on embedded devices. As this project developed, it quickly became clear that machine learning was going to be a fundamental part of the project.

In-house Specialists Ensured Efficient and Easy Workflows

One reason ST chose to work with Mjølner was the long-term relationship the companies shared. Mjølner’s agility and expertise in machine learning were also strong factors.

Six of Mjølner’s specialists worked on the project in close dialogue with ST. The team consisted of two consultants within UX and UI, an Embedded Architect, two Embedded Developers and a Machine Learning Specialist.

With all the specialists in-house, the process was efficient, easy, and straightforward. The collaboration between ST and Mjølner produced an impressive demonstration of the companies’ skills and of the processing capabilities of the dual-core STM32H7 MCU.

Mjølner has been an essential collaborator for us on this project. The combination of their expertise in embedded software, machine learning, and graphical user interfaces was just what we needed to build an application that best shows the potential of our dual-core chips.

Frédéric Le Cam, Marketing Product Line Manager for STM32H7-serien hos STMicroelectronics

Innovative Solution with Machine Learning and Graphics

The team had to think innovatively and outside the box to come up with a workable idea. However, it quickly became clear that machine learning should play a significant role in the project.

In the demo, the machine learning algorithm is implemented to run on both cores (STM32H747XIH6). The graphics, on the other hand, always run on core A (Cortex®-M7). With the machine learning algorithm running on core B (Cortex®-M4), it ensures the application (in this case the game) runs smoothly. The advantage of this division is that it is not necessary to share resources when graphics and the machine learning algorithm run simultaneously on their respective cores (Cortex®-M7).

By dividing graphics and the machine learning algorithm, the outcome is two significant benefits: ’Separation of Concerns’ and ’Workload Distribution’.

Getting Quickly from Idea to Final Product Is a Matter of Honor for Mjølner

In the beginning of the project, main requirements and features for the demo were defined and approved in a joint workshop. The goal was to effectively bring a finished demo to market.

The project team ensured an easy and fluid process. With all specialists in-house, Mjølner could easily modify the team with the right competencies on an ongoing basis. This ensured a smooth and sustainable flow in the project.

Status meetings were held with ST to ensure a joint reconciliation of goals, as well as ongoing approval of designs and features in the demo. The project proceeded smoothly, on-time, and on-budget.

One of the main reasons for the success of the project was the combination of specialists. Particularly, the expertise within UX and graphics combined with the Machine Learning Specialist ensured that all parts of the project came together efficiently and as required.

In this video, our Senior Embedded Architect, Bent, demos the game, illustrating the functions of the dual-core chip:

THE CLIENT

STMicroelectronics is 48,000 creators and makers of semiconductor technologies working with customers and partners to design and build products, solutions, and ecosystems that address their challenges and opportunities, and the need to support a more sustainable world. ST’s technologies enable smarter mobility, more efficient power and energy management, and the wide-scale deployment of the Internet of Things and connectivity. The Company is committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2027.

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