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Here's Why I think You Should Consider Applying for the MAX32650 EV Kit RoadTest

rscasny

I know I have been getting a lot of fantastic products lately to roadtest. It's kind of pre-Holiday wishlist!

 

But there's one roadtest, I'd like you to take another loook at: Maxim MAX32650-EVKIT

 

The Ev kit is from Maximum Integrated. this kit is for the MAX32650.image

 

The MAX32650 ultra-low power memory scalable microcontroller designed specifically for high performance battery powered applications. It is often used with industrial sensors, IoT, sports watches, fitness monitors, wearable medical patches and portable medical devices.

 

Here's some more information on the MAX32650.

 

The MAX32650 is part of Maxim Integrated's DARMAN Series of low-power microcontrollers. They are smart, with the biggest memories in their class and a massively scalable memory architecture. They run forever, thanks to wearable-grade power technology. They are also tough enough to withstand the most advanced cyberattacks.

 

These ultra low-power microcontrollers are designed to handle the complex applications demanded by today’s advanced battery-powered devices and wireless sensors.They are based on ArmRegistered CortexRegistered-M4 with FPU CPU with 3MB flash and 1MB SRAM. Memory scalability is supported with multiple memory-expansion interfaces, including a HyperBusTm/XccelaTm DDR interface and two SPI execute in place (SPIX) interfaces. A secure digital interface supports external high-speed memory cards, including SD, SDIO, MMC, SDHC, and microSDTm

 

Here's some tech specs:

  • 120MHz Arm Cortex-M4 with FPU
  • SmartDMA Provides Background Memory Transfers with Programmable Data Processing
  • 120MHz High-Speed and 40MHz Low-Power Oscillators
  • 7.3728MHz Low Power Oscillators
  • 32.768kHz and RTC Clock (Requires External Crystal)
  • 8kHz Always-on Ultra-Low Power Oscillator
  • 3MB Internal Flash, 1MB Internal SRAM
  • 104µW/MHz Executing from Cache at 1.1V
  • Five Low Power Modes: Active, Sleep, Background, Deep-Sleep, and Backup
  • 1.8V and 3.3V I/O with No Level Translators

 

Here's some documentation: https://datasheets.maximintegrated.com/en/ds/MAX32650-EVKIT.pdf

 

 

If you do have the time, fill out an application here:  Maxim MAX32650-EVKIT

  • I think it's the DARWIN family image

     

    It's an interesting, if slightly odd, beast - the processor is capable of very low power operation but can work with masses of external (and much higher power) memory.

    It has Hi Speed USB and PHY on chip (which is nice) but the core is pretty slow (120MHz max).

    The on chip ADC is weird, slow (7.8ksps), low res (10 bit) and sigma delta - very unusual.

    And it has an on chip colour TFT LCD controller.

     

    It's a nice Eval board too - just enough stuff on it and jumpers to isolate things where needed.

     

    But I can't think what I might do with it that would really make much use of the special features ......

     

    MK

  • At the present time, I don't have the capacity to take on such a project.

     

    I have little knowledge in this technology. This would require time and effort to come up to speed and then deliver results. Understanding my limits (hard to do when retired), I am going to have to sit this one out until such time as I can commit with an expectation I can finish.

     

    Sean

  • I have never been a big fan of the MAXIM parts, as I find their pricing to be on the high side.  Also, I like to work with components that are a little more hand soldering friendly.  When I think about the likelihood of entering a roadtest, I think about getting a good payback on the time and energy spent on the process.  If I do not believe that I would likely use the technology to replace my current choices, I would be less likely to enter into the roadtest.

     

    Having said that, I still applaud your hard work in bring new and interesting products into the roadtest program.  Hopefully somebody will find this component a good fit into their future project/product plans and take on the huge learning curve to try for this roadtest.

  • , This is a nice module to roadtest. But it takes some time to understand this item and its developing environment to learn to use it better. I usually fit the products I roadtest into one of my ongoing projects or at least try to use them to upgrade a former one. I really could not find a place for this product in any of my projects yet. Once I find something, I would definitely apply, provided I am sure that I could complete it before its deadline without affecting my current or future roadtests image

  • in reply to genebren

    , I was pleasantly pleased when reviewing the MAX32660 for that RoadTest - my first encounter with Maxim.

    The family has some very nice sleep, deep sleep and coma power modes - and the 1.8 V option is attractive.

  • in reply to genebren

    That's a shame to hear Gene. Conversely, I took to Maxim Integrated nearly two decades ago when I found their iButton products and incorporated those into a few designs as a way of allowing multiple users to pre-configure the hardware upon first use, however I often don't make production runs that are price critical so any extra cost is not an issue. I also branched out into their other 1-wire products. Over the years I've found Maxim really helpful in product support and supplying me with free product samples. Regarding the small footprints I think many manufacturers are progressing down that route now...I'm going to have to invest in some equipment soon I feel image.

  • in reply to 14rhb

    I really enjoyed the iButton and 1-wire products.  I still have a bunch of odds and ends of these parts left over from prior projects.

     

    As far as pricing goes, if you really don't need the features of a product that justify the addition cost, then you are wasting money.  This new MAXIM part is a real beast, if you need 3MB of flash or 1MB of ram.  If not then the $8.00 to $10.00 cost is a little pricey, when I can get <$1.00 microprocessors that do everything I need on 90% of the projects/products that I work on.  Just saying.  I guess I did not need to sound so negative, I was mostly just trying to explain my thinking on this particular roadtest and what issues and/or features that help me decide what roadtest to apply to.

  • in reply to genebren

    I guess I did not need to sound so negative

    I didn't take your comment as negative, it was your observation of prices and actually should be considered constructive and honest opinion...that is a valuable thing. Maybe Maxim will see your comment and have a think about their pricing structures? At 3MByte of program space you'd definitely want to pull on as many #include functions as possible to feel you do it justice - can you imagine looking at the utilization after code compilation and seeing you have only achieved a few percent use !

  • Quite a full featured part and lots of functionality on the EV board.  It would be fun to roadtest but I haven't got the bandwidth.  One nice thing about roadtests is that they get you to look at vendors parts that you weren't aware of.  I guess I haven't been following Maxim's ultra low power microcontrollers.  For my purposes I'm probably more interested in something for low power smart sensors, so fewer features with a smaller footprint.  More like a Max32660.  It will be interesting to see what applications the roadtesters try out.