MCU → MPU Transition & STM32MP1 → MP2 Migration

When Has Your Project Outgrown Its Microcontroller?

Is your STM32-based product hitting development barriers? Recognize the warning signs:

• Running out of memory — New features don’t fit in Flash/RAM
• Growing complexity — Increasingly difficult to maintain stability with expanding codebase
• Modern interface requirements — GUI, networking, or advanced cryptography needs
• Cloud integration — Need for HTTP/HTTPS, MQTT with TLS, REST API protocols
• Security certification — Requirements for OTA updates, secure boot, encryption
• CRA compliance — The Cyber Resilience Act demands fundamental changes to security architecture

If any of these points sound familiar, it’s time to migrate to heterogeneous architecture.

Why STM32MP2?

The STM32MP2 family is the latest generation of heterogeneous platforms from STMicroelectronics. It combines the power of a dual-core Cortex-A35 (64-bit) application processor with the reliability of a Cortex-M33 coprocessor in a single chip.

Key Advantages of STM32MP2 over STM32MP1

Benefits of Heterogeneous Architecture

Key advantage: Most of your existing bare-metal code for STM32 can be ported to the M33 core with minimal modifications, while new demanding features run on Linux.

🔄 STM32MP1 → STM32MP2 Migration

Already have a product based on STM32MP1 and want to move to STM32MP2? This is my specialty.

Why Migrate?

The Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) comes into full effect in December 2027. The STM32MP2 platform was designed with CRA compliance by design — meaning that meeting regulatory requirements is significantly easier than on STM32MP1.

What Does MP1 → MP2 Migration Include?

1. Existing system audit — code analysis, Device Tree, Yocto layers
2. Difference mapping — Cortex-A7 → A35, M4 → M33, peripheral changes
3. BSP layer porting — adapting meta-st and custom Yocto layers
4. Coprocessor firmware migration — M4 → M33, HAL and driver updates
5. Security infrastructure update — leveraging new HSE capabilities
6. Validation and testing — full regression testing and certification

My Specialization

I offer comprehensive support throughout the migration process — from feasibility analysis to production deployment.

1. Audit and Feasibility Analysis

• Assessment of current project for migration suitability
• Identification of components for M33 vs A35
• Analysis of timing requirements (real-time vs best-effort)
• Effort estimation and risk assessment

2. System Architecture

• Designing responsibility split between cores
• Communication protocol definition (OpenAMP/RPMsg)
• Hardware resource management strategy (Resource Manager)
• Device Tree planning

3. Firmware Migration (Cortex-M33)

• Porting existing STM32 code to the coprocessor
• Peripheral driver adaptation
• Implementation of Linux communication
• Optimization for AMP mode (Asymmetric Multi-Processing)

4. Linux System Development (Cortex-A35)

• Distribution building (Yocto Project / Buildroot)
• Driver and HAL layer integration
• User application implementation
• Network, security, and OTA update configuration

5. Integration and Validation

• Inter-core communication testing
• Timing requirements validation
• Load and stability testing
• Certification preparation (including CRA)

Why Choose a Specialist?

Migration from MCU to MPU (or from MP1 to MP2) is not just a chip change — it’s a fundamental shift in design paradigm. Common pitfalls I help you avoid:

❌ Trying to run real-time code on Linux — without a coprocessor, you lose timing determinism

❌ Ignoring the Resource Manager — peripheral access conflicts between cores

❌ Underestimating Device Tree complexity — hours of debugging instead of productive work

❌ No update strategy — a system that cannot be safely updated in the field

❌ Delaying MP2 migration — the closer the CRA deadline, the higher the costs and risk

✅ With my help: Smooth migration preserving the intellectual value of existing code while opening new possibilities — including full CRA compliance.

Typical Project Timeline

┌─────────────────┐     ┌─────────────────┐     ┌─────────────────┐
│   PHASE 1       │     │   PHASE 2       │     │   PHASE 3       │
│   Audit         │────▶│   Architecture  │────▶│   Implementation│
│   (1-2 weeks)   │     │   (1-2 weeks)   │     │   (4-8 weeks)   │
└─────────────────┘     └─────────────────┘     └─────────────────┘
                                                        │
                        ┌─────────────────┐             │
                        │   PHASE 4       │◀────────────┘
                        │   Validation    │
                        │   (2-3 weeks)   │
                        └─────────────────┘

Related Trainings

If your team wants to independently develop competencies in STM32MP2 architecture, I offer a dedicated training:

👉 STM32MP2 Masterclass: Heterogeneous Architecture in Practice

Intensive, hands-on training covering the practical “Smart Eco-Motion Controller” project — from motor control on M33 to a Qt interface on Linux.

Let’s Start the Conversation

Every migration project is different. I’d be happy to discuss the specifics of your case and propose the optimal development path.

👉 Contact me — free initial consultation