New MCUs combine hardware security module with TrustZone technology

February 20, 2025

The new PIC32CK family of mid-range microcontrollers from Microchip offers strong security capabilities, helping OEMs to build compliance with the latest cybersecurity regulations into new products.

Microchip has introduced the PIC32CK family of microcontrollers, which feature an integrated hardware security module (HSM) sub-system and a 120 MHz Arm® Cortex®-M33 core with Arm TrustZone technology, providing the ability to both isolate and secure the host device.

The PIC32CK SG, the first 32-bit MCU on the market to combine the strong security of an HSM with TrustZone technology, provides designers with a cost-effective way to meet the requirements of the latest cybersecurity standards and regulations in effect now or set to be introduced worldwide.

The inclusion of an HSM provides a high level of security for authentication, secure debug, secure boot and secure updates, while TrustZone technology protects the MCU by providing a trusted execution environment for security-critical software functions. The HSM can accelerate a wide range of symmetric and asymmetric cryptography protocols, true random number generation and secure key management.

For increased flexibility and cost efficiency, the PIC32CK MCU family offers a wide range of options to tune the level of security, memory and connectivity bandwidth to fit the end application requirements. Options include up to 2 Mbytes of dual-panel Flash and 512 kbytes of SRAM, with various connectivity options including 10/100 Ethernet, CAN FD and USB.

For product supply chains that require additional security and safety protection, Microchip provides the Trust Platform Design Suite for provisioning as a service. This platform enables the secure provisioning of keys, certificates and IP at the Microchip factory, without the need to reveal these secrets within the supply chain.

Features

  • Peripheral touch controller with
    up to 32 channels
  • 12-bit ADC
  • 12-bit DAC
  • Compatible with MPLAB® Harmony v3 IDE
  • Support for standards compliance:
    • ISO 26262 for functional safety
    • ISO/SAE 21434 for cybersecurity
  • Hardware safety features:
    • ECC with fault injection on Flash
    • Global mBIST
    • Memory protection unit
    • Write protection on key peripherals
    • Clock failure detection with
      fail-safe internal RC oscillator
    • Loopback on communications interfaces

Applications

  • Industrial equipment
  • Medical devices
  • Home appliances
  • Consumer IoT devices
Microchip — PIC32CK Microcontrollers

Evaluation Board

Part Number: EV33A17A

The PIC32CK SG Curiosity Ultra kit from Microchip is a hardware development platform for designs using the PIC32CK SG, an Arm® Cortex®-M33 core-based microcontroller with Arm TrustZone technology and an integrated hardware security module (HSM).

The HSM provides the cryptographic hardware acceleration, key storage, and true random number generation capabilities required for implementing a wide range of security functions, including:

  • Secure boot
  • Secure TLS
  • Encryption/decryption

Developers can expand the Curiosity Ultra kit functionality through Arduino Uno R3, Mikroe Bus, or Xplained Pro-compatible expansion boards.

 

Key features of the board include:

  • PIC32CK2051SG01144 MCU
  • Real-time programming and debugging
  • Graphics interface
  • 100/10 Mbytes/s Ethernet
  • High-Speed USB Type-C® connection
  • Full-Speed USB connection

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