Acroview, a leader in chip programming, has officially announced the further expansion of its compatible device portfolio with the release of its latest programming software. The company's flagship product – the universal programming platform AP8000 – has now achieved full adaptation for Nuvoton's 32-bit low-power microcontroller M251ZD2AE.

The NuMicro® M251ZD2AE is a next-generation 32-bit low-power microcontroller featuring an Arm® Cortex®-M23 core with the Armv8-M instruction set architecture. It operates at 48 MHz and integrates 64 KB Flash, 12 KB SRAM, and 4 KB LDROM, supporting a wide operating voltage range of 1.8 to 5.5V and a temperature range of -40°C to 105°C.

The NuMicro® M251ZD2AE delivers exceptional low-power performance, with typical operating current of approximately 138 μA/MHz (@48MHz) in run mode, approximately 60 μA/MHz in idle mode, 2.5 μA in power-down mode (RTC on, RAM data retained), 1.7 μA in power-down mode (RTC off, RAM data retained), and deep power-down mode. Thanks to its low power consumption, wide operating voltage, and fast wake-up from standby modes, the M251ZD2AE is particularly well-suited for battery-powered IoT applications.

The NuMicro® M251ZD2AE provides 4 channels of Nuvoton's proprietary Programmable Serial I/O (PSIO), which can generate arbitrary and diverse serial communication formats to interface with external devices through hardware. PSIO is capable of emulating common serial communication interfaces (UART, SPI, etc.), application-specific serial communication interfaces (proprietary protocols used in EEPROM, card readers, etc.), and private-protocol serial communication interfaces (LED lighting control via SPI-like protocols, etc.). With hardware emulation of diverse serial communication protocols, PSIO offers advantages including low computational load, low control complexity, and high timing accuracy. The highly flexible communication peripheral capability makes PSIO an outstanding and powerful communication interface tool.

The NuMicro® M251ZD2AE integrates a Voltage Adjustable Interface (VAI) supporting 4 pins, providing a second I/O voltage from 1.65V to 5.5V for direct connection to peripheral components without the need for external voltage level translators.

The NuMicro® M251ZD2AE features programmable eXecute-Only-Memory (XOM) to protect critical code and prevent firmware reverse engineering. Combined with a 96-bit Unique Identification (UID) and 128-bit Unique Customer Identification (UCID), product security is significantly enhanced.

The NuMicro® M251ZD2AE supports a rich set of peripherals, including watchdog timer, RTC, 26 GPIOs, 20-channel PWM, 2x USCI (Universal Serial Interfaces), 3x UART, 1x QSPI, 1x SPI/I²S, 2x I²C, 1x ISO-7816-3, and 5x PDMA, enabling easy connection to additional expansion modules and lighting control functions. Additionally, the NuMicro® M251ZD2AE integrates high-performance analog peripheral circuits, including 10-channel 12-bit 880 kSPS ADC, analog comparators (ACMP), temperature sensors, low-voltage reset (LVR), and brown-out detection (BOD), which enhance product performance, reduce the need for external components, and minimize end-product size.

The NuMicro® M251ZD2AE is offered in a QFN33 (5x5mm) package. Pin compatibility within the same package type allows users to flexibly optimize product specifications and performance.

Key Features

• Operating Characteristics

-- Operating Voltage: 1.8 to 5.5V

-- Operating Temperature: -40°C to 105°C

• Core

-- Arm® Cortex®-M23 microcontroller, Armv8-M instruction set architecture, operating at 48 MHz

-- 32-bit hardware multiplier/divider

• Memory

-- 64 KB Flash

-- 12 KB SRAM

-- 4 KB LDROM

-- Supports eXecute-Only-Memory (XOM)

-- Supports ISP (In-System Programming) / ICP (In-Circuit Programming) / IAP (In-Application Programming)

• Clock Control

-- External high-speed crystal 4 MHz to 32 MHz or external clock input

-- External low-speed crystal 32.768 kHz or external clock input

-- Internal 48 MHz high-precision RC oscillator (HIRC)

-- Internal 4.032 MHz high-precision RC oscillator (MIRC)

-- Internal 38.4 kHz high-precision RC oscillator (LIRC)

• Power Management

-- Built-in power-on reset, brown-out reset, and low-voltage reset

-- Built-in LDO

• Low Operating Current

-- Run mode: 138 μA/MHz

-- Idle mode: 60 μA/MHz

-- Power-down mode: 2.5 μA (RTC on, RAM data retained)

-- Power-down mode: 1.7 μA (RTC off, RAM data retained)

-- Deep power-down mode: 1.45 μA

• Timers

-- Up to 4x 32-bit timers

• Direct Memory Access (PDMA)

-- Supports up to 5-channel PDMA

• PWM

-- Supports up to 20 PWM channels

-- Supports ADC triggering

-- Maximum frequency up to 96 MHz

-- Supports independent mode for PWM output/capture input channels

-- Supports up to 3 complementary PWM output pairs

• Analog

-- Supports up to 10-channel 12-bit 880 kSPS ADC

-- Supports up to 2 comparators

• Communication Interfaces

-- 2x USCI (configurable as UART, SPI, or I²C)

-- 3x UART interfaces

-- 1x QSPI interface

-- 1x SPI/I²S interface

-- 2x I²C interfaces

-- 1x ISO-7816-3 interface

• Voltage Adjustable Interface (VAI)

-- Supports second I/O voltage from 1.65V to 5.5V via VDDIO pin input, supporting up to 4 pins

• Programmable Serial I/O (PSIO)

-- Hardware generates arbitrary and diverse serial communication formats for external interface communication

-- Supports up to 4 pins

• 96-bit Unique Identification (UID)

• 128-bit Unique Customer Identification (UCID)

• Package

-- QFN33 (5x5mm)

Applications

• Smart Home / Smart Appliances

• Industrial Control / Industrial Automation

• Smart Cities

• Low-Power IoT Devices

• Security Alarm Systems

• Electronic Payment

• Communication Modules

• Handheld Wireless Data Collectors

• Smart Locks

• Handheld Medical Measurement Devices

• GPS Trackers

• E-Paper Tags

Internal Block Diagram

Acroview's independently developed AP8000 universal programmer has become a benchmark professional programming solution in the industry. The device supports flexible configurable 1-to-1 and 1-to-8 programming modes, and provides both online and offline operation, with dedicated programming solutions developed specifically for memory chips such as eMMC and UFS. It comprehensively covers blank-chip offline programming and on-board programming requirements for Nuvoton's full range of chips. The AP8000 adopts an innovative modular design comprising three core modules – main unit, baseboard, and adapter socket – endowing the device with exceptional compatibility and expandability. As a universal programming platform, it not only adapts to various programmable chips available on the market but also, with its stable and high-performance capabilities, serves as the core component of Acroview's automated high-volume programming system IPS5800S, efficiently handling large-scale chip programming tasks to meet mass production requirements.

The AP8000 main unit features flexible connectivity options with both USB and NET interfaces, enabling convenient networking of multiple programmers. Through networking, users can easily achieve synchronized control of multiple programmers for efficient parallel programming operations. In terms of security, the main unit incorporates an intelligent safety protection circuit that monitors chip placement and connection status in real-time. Upon detecting anomalies such as reverse insertion or short circuits, it immediately triggers power-off protection, ensuring the safe operation of both chips and the programmer. The main unit is equipped with a high-speed FPGA chip that significantly enhances data transmission and processing efficiency for smooth and efficient programming. For enhanced user convenience, an SD card slot is provided on the rear panel, allowing users to store PC-generated project files on an SD card and insert it into the slot to perform file selection, loading, and programming operations via the programmer's physical buttons, enabling standalone operation without a PC. This design reduces dependence on computer hardware specifications, simplifies the working environment setup process, and significantly improves operational flexibility.

In terms of expandability and compatibility, the AP8000 employs a modular combination of baseboard and adapter boards, effectively extending the main unit's functional boundaries. The device currently supports products from all major semiconductor manufacturers, covering well-known brands such as SK hynix, Micron, SANDISK, ASR, and Kingston. The supported device types are extensive, including NAND, NOR, MCU, CPLD, FPGA, and EMMC, and it is fully compatible with multiple industry-standard file formats, including Intel Hex, Motorola S, Binary, and POF, providing users with a one-stop, full-scenario chip programming solution.

Company Introduction

About Nuvoton: Nuvoton Technology was founded in 2008 and officially commenced operations in July of the same year after acquiring the Logic IC business division of Winbond Electronics. The company was listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange in 2010. Nuvoton focuses on the development of ICs for microcontroller/microprocessor, smart home, and cloud security applications, battery monitoring ICs, image sensing ICs, IoT application ICs, and semiconductor components. Its products hold leading positions in industrial, automotive, communications, consumer electronics, and computer markets. In addition, Nuvoton operates a 6-inch wafer foundry featuring diverse process technologies, offering specialized wafer foundry services.

About Acroview: Acroview is a national-level "Specialized and Sophisticated" enterprise dedicated to the R&D, manufacturing, and sales of semiconductor chip testing and programming equipment. The company is committed to providing innovative semiconductor testing technologies and solutions across the entire industry chain, serving Fabless, IDM, OSAT, wafer fabs, and end-equipment manufacturers. Acroview's pioneering fully automated ABI (Auto Burn-In) system significantly enhances chip burn-in testing efficiency while reducing per-DUT testing costs. Additionally, the company offers equipment and solutions covering every stage from PSV, CP, FT, ABI, SLT to programming. By seamlessly integrating technological leadership, system-level expertise, and a globally distributed R&D and sales service network, Acroview creates value for customers to gain competitive advantages in the market.