Summary of FIRST FULL 32-BIT PLASTIC M0+ MICROCONTROLLER
ARM and PragmatIC built PlasticARM, the first full 32-bit microcontroller on flexible plastic using a 0.8 μm process. It integrates a 32-bit CPU (ARMv6-M), NVIC, peripherals, memories, AHB-lite bus, and a 456-byte ROM with three test programs. The NMOS-based SOC contains 56,340 transistors, runs at 29 kHz on 3 V consuming 21 mW, and occupies 59.2 mm2 (without pads) with 28 pins. Implemented on PragmatIC’s 200 mm polyimide wafers with four metal layers, it demonstrates scalable, low-cost flexible electronics for IoT applications.
Parts used in the PlasticARM Project:
- 32-bit CPU implementing ARMv6-M instruction set
- Nested Vector Interrupt Controller (NVIC)
- Peripherals (unspecified types)
- Memories (including 456-byte read-only memory)
- AHB-lite bus interface
- NMOS transistors and resistors (total 56,340 transistors)
- 0.8 μm PragmatIC semiconductor process
- Polyimide 200 mm wafer substrate
- Four metal layers
- 28-pin package (clock, reset, GPIO, power, debug pins)
- Input capacitors (140 pF on all inputs)
- Output drivers with active pull-up transistors
ARM has developed the first full 32bit microcontroller built on a flexible plastic material using a 0.8 μm process from PragmatIC.
The PlasticARM microcontroller consists of 56,340 NMOS transistors and resistors and is built on a plastic substrate developed by UK foundry PragmatIC Semiconductor in Cambridge.
The microcontroller, detailed in the journal Nature after six years of development, includes a 32bit CPU, Nested Vector Interrupt Controller (NVIC) for handling interrupts from external devices, peripherals, memories and AHB-lite bus interface as well as a read only memory with 456 bytes that holds three test programs using the ARMv6-M instruction set and the standard ARM toolchain.
The whole system-on-chip runs at a clock rate of 29 kHz from a 3 V supply and consumes 21 mW, dominated by the static power, with the processor accounting for 45 percent, memories 33 percent and peripherals 22 percent.
The PlasticARM is 12 times larger than the previous development between ARM and PragmatIC on a dedicated machine learning core and marks a significant step for low cost flexible, plastic electronics for everyday objects to connect to the Internet of Things.
The SOC was implemented with PragmatIC’s 0.8-μm process using industry-standard chip implementation tools and four metal layers on a 200 mm polyimide wafer.
The resulting chip has an area of 59.2 mm2 (without pads), and contains 18,334 NAND-equivalent gates with 28 pins, which include clock, reset, GPIO, power and other debug pins. There are no dedicated electrostatic discharge mitigation techniques used in this design. Instead, all inputs contain 140 pF capacitors, whereas all outputs are driven by output drivers with active pull-up transistors.
Read more: FIRST FULL 32-BIT PLASTIC M0+ MICROCONTROLLER
- What process was used to fabricate PlasticARM?
PlasticARM was fabricated using PragmatIC’s 0.8 μm process. - What instruction set does the PlasticARM CPU implement?
The CPU implements the ARMv6-M instruction set. - How many transistors does the PlasticARM contain?
The microcontroller consists of 56,340 NMOS transistors and resistors. - What is the clock rate and supply voltage of PlasticARM?
It runs at 29 kHz from a 3 V supply. - How much power does PlasticARM consume?
The system consumes 21 mW, dominated by static power. - What is the area and pin count of the PlasticARM chip?
The chip area is 59.2 mm2 without pads and it has 28 pins. - What memory is included on PlasticARM?
It includes a read-only memory with 456 bytes holding three test programs. - What substrate and metal layers were used?
It was built on a 200 mm polyimide wafer using four metal layers. - Are there ESD mitigation techniques on PlasticARM?
No dedicated ESD mitigation techniques were used; inputs have 140 pF capacitors and outputs use drivers with active pull-up transistors.
