MM32W373PF
Advanced Cortex-M0+ BLE 5.0 MCU with 128KB Flash, 16KB RAM, and enhanced peripherals for complex IoT applications
Product Overview
Description
The MM32W373PF is an advanced wireless microcontroller featuring ARM Cortex-M0+ core with integrated Bluetooth Low Energy 5.0 radio and enhanced peripherals. It is designed for complex IoT applications requiring more memory and advanced features.
This MCU includes 128KB Flash memory and 16KB SRAM, providing ample resources for complex BLE applications and protocol stacks. The rich peripheral set includes 12-bit ADC with 24 channels, capacitive touch sensing, and multiple communication interfaces.
The device achieves ultra-low power consumption with sub-microamp standby current. It supports all BLE 5.0 features including 2Mbps high-speed mode and long-range coded PHY. It operates from 1.8V to 3.6V.
Product Series
MM
Primary Application
Smart home devices
Key Features
- ARM Cortex-M0+ up to 48MHz
- Integrated BLE 5.0 radio
- 128KB Flash with read protection
- 16KB SRAM
- 2Mbps high-speed mode
- Long-range coded PHY
- 12-bit ADC with 24 channels
- Capacitive touch sensing
Specifications
| Core | ARM Cortex-M0+ |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 48 MHz |
| Flash | 128 KB |
| RAM | 16 KB |
| BLE Version | 5.0 |
| TX Power | +8 dBm max |
| RX Sensitivity | -97 dBm |
| Package | QFN-48 |
Applications
Smart home devices
Electronic system design
Wearable electronics
Electronic system design
Connected appliances
Electronic system design
Industrial sensors
Sensor signal conditioning
Healthcare devices
Electronic system design
FAE Expert Insights
"The MM32W373PF is the advanced version of the MM32W073, offering double the memory for complex applications. I recommend this part when the application requires larger BLE protocol stacks, multiple simultaneous connections, or complex application code. The additional RAM is particularly valuable for buffering sensor data and maintaining connection state for multiple peers. The 128KB Flash allows for more sophisticated application logic and OTA update capabilities with dual-bank support. I've used this MCU in smart lock applications where the additional memory was needed for cryptographic libraries and secure key storage. The RF performance is identical to the MM32W073, so range and power consumption are the same. For most applications, start with the MM32W073 and upgrade to MM32W373 only if memory constraints become an issue."
Advanced BLE MCU with 128KB Flash for complex IoT applications
— Lisa Wang, BeiLuo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between MM32W373 and MM32W073?
The MM32W373PF offers twice the memory of the MM32W073PF: (1) Flash - 128KB vs 64KB, providing more space for application code and firmware updates. (2) RAM - 16KB vs 8KB, enabling larger buffers and more complex data processing. (3) ADC channels - 24 vs 16 channels for more sensor inputs. (4) Both share the same BLE radio and core, so RF performance and power consumption are identical. Choose MM32W373 when: Application code exceeds 60KB, multiple BLE connections required, complex protocol stacks needed, or OTA dual-bank updates required. Choose MM32W073 for: Simple sensor applications, cost-sensitive designs, or when memory requirements are modest. The price difference is typically 15-20%, making the MM32W373 a cost-effective upgrade when more memory is needed.
Contact LiTong for memory size analysis and MM32W series selection guidance.
How many simultaneous BLE connections can MM32W373 support?
The MM32W373PF can support up to 8 simultaneous BLE connections when operating as a central device (master). As a peripheral (slave), it can maintain 1-2 simultaneous connections depending on connection parameters. Key factors affecting connection capacity: (1) Connection interval - Shorter intervals require more processing time per connection. (2) Data throughput - High data rate connections consume more RAM for buffering. (3) Application processing - Complex application logic reduces available CPU time for BLE stack. (4) Memory usage - Each connection requires approximately 1-2KB RAM for stack buffers. For typical sensor applications with 100ms connection intervals and low data rates, 4-6 simultaneous connections are practical. For applications requiring many connections, consider using a connection manager to rotate between devices or implement a gateway architecture with multiple MM32W devices.
Contact LiTong for multi-connection BLE architecture design and optimization.
Does MM32W373 support BLE mesh networking?
The MM32W373PF hardware is capable of BLE mesh networking, but mesh support depends on the software stack implementation. The MindMotion standard BLE stack focuses on point-to-point and star topologies. For BLE mesh networking, you have several options: (1) Third-party mesh stack - Integrate a certified BLE mesh stack from vendors like Silicon Labs or Nordic Semiconductor. These stacks implement the full Bluetooth Mesh specification including relay, proxy, friend, and low power node features. (2) Custom mesh implementation - Implement a proprietary mesh protocol on top of the standard BLE advertising and connection features. This provides flexibility but requires significant development effort. (3) Hybrid approach - Use MM32W for BLE connectivity to a mesh gateway device that handles the mesh protocol. For immediate mesh applications requiring standard Bluetooth Mesh compliance, consider using a dedicated mesh solution or external mesh module alongside the MM32W.
Contact LiTong for BLE mesh networking options and architecture recommendations.
What is the OTA firmware update capability?
The MM32W373PF supports secure over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates via BLE: (1) Dual-bank Flash - The 128KB Flash can be partitioned into two 64KB banks, allowing new firmware to be downloaded to the inactive bank while the current firmware runs. (2) DFU service - Standard Device Firmware Update GATT service for firmware image transfer. (3) Security - Firmware images can be encrypted and signed to prevent unauthorized updates. Signature verification ensures only authentic firmware is installed. (4) Resume capability - Interrupted updates can resume from the last successfully transferred block. (5) Rollback protection - Failed updates automatically revert to the previous working firmware. The OTA transfer speed depends on connection interval and PHY mode, typically achieving 2-5KB/s with 2Mbps PHY. A full 64KB firmware update takes approximately 15-30 seconds depending on connection parameters.
Contact LiTong for OTA implementation guidance and secure update architecture design.
Can MM32W373 act as both peripheral and central simultaneously?
Yes, the MM32W373PF supports simultaneous peripheral and central roles, enabling flexible network architectures: (1) Peripheral role - Advertises and accepts connections from central devices like smartphones or gateways. Can maintain 1-2 connections as slave. (2) Central role - Scans for and connects to peripheral devices like sensors or beacons. Can maintain up to 8 connections as master. (3) Simultaneous operation - The device can simultaneously be connected as peripheral to a smartphone while acting as central to multiple sensors. This enables gateway functionality where the MM32W aggregates data from multiple sensors and forwards to a smartphone or cloud gateway. (4) Connection management - The application must manage connection priorities, data routing, and power consumption when operating in both roles. This dual-role capability is valuable for IoT gateway applications, smart home hubs, and industrial sensor aggregators.
Contact LiTong for dual-role BLE architecture design and implementation guidance.