Stellar P3E
The first automotive MCU with an embedded NPU accelerator
An AI-powered automotive microcontroller
"Stellar P3E sets a new benchmark for automotive electrification by combining high-performance real-time control and edge AI in a single, ASIL-D compliant system-on-chip.
This innovation empowers our customers to deliver safer, smarter, and more efficient X-in-1 solutions for the next generation of electric vehicles.”
said Luca R., GP and Auto MCU GM at STMicroelectronics.
As electric mobility moves to integrated x‑in‑1 powertrain architectures – bringing OBC, DC‑DC, traction inverter and more into a single system – microcontrollers must concentrate more functions and deliver much higher intelligence in the same footprint.
Stellar P3E answers this with:
Stellar P3E answers this with:
- Safe compute with hardware isolation
- Extensible xMemory enabling SDV innovations
- Embedded AI acceleration with Neural-ART™ accelerator
- Smart power enabling more efficient automotives
Stellar P3E redefines powertrain intelligence
Stellar P3E shifts control from reactive to adaptive by integrating the ST Neural-ART™ Accelerator, a dedicated neural processing unit (NPU) embedded directly in silicon, enabling instantaneous AI inference that creates “smart” virtual sensors for higher-performance, more reliable powertrain control without additional hardware. By offloading AI workloads from the main cores, this NPU significantly accelerates inference execution and supports real-time, AI-based virtual sensing.
Stellar P3E combines a multi-core cluster of high-performance Arm® Cortex®-R52+ processors with hardware-enforced virtualization, enabling freedom from interference between software functions and more efficient consolidation of workloads. This architecture enhances responsiveness and supports safer, more deterministic behavior in modern automotive systems.
In the software-defined vehicle (SDV) era, memory is a key driver of innovation. Stellar P3E integrates extensible xMemory based on phase-change memory (PCM) technology, delivering up to twice the density of traditional embedded flash and ensuring robust, automotive-qualified performance to support evolving software features throughout the vehicle’s lifetime.
"With the new Phase Change Memory (PCM) flash technology and its well setting features, like Neural-ART for edge AI, Stellar P3E will be a remarkable product to catering the trend of NEV related applications, we wish a good success for its releasing!."
said Mr. Zhang JianBiao, GM of Dr. Octopus (SVOLT).
Why put AI deep inside the ECU?
Modern X-in-1 powertrain architectures require high-performance, real-time intelligence. Stellar P3E with Neural-ART acceleration can handle complex multi-sensor data streams directly at the actuation level. This enables predictive maintenance and anomaly detection for battery systems - identifying potential failures before they manifest. Furthermore, its virtual sensing capabilities can emulate physical sensors in inaccessible locations (e.g., inside an engine block) to provide unprecedented system insights. This software-driven approach reduces hardware and complexity, boosting reliability, and improving efficiency and range all without compromising real‑time behavior or safety.
Replace position sensors and emulate thermal sensors with high-fidelity AI models running on the neural processing unit (NPU).
Reduce bill of materials (BOM) cost and weight, and increase reliability.
Analyze sensing and current signatures at the source to detect bearing wear, anode oxidation, and thermal anomalies months before they cause a failure.
Use the NPU to accelerate complex matrix mathematics.
Enable real-time optimization of switching frequencies to extend electric vehicle (EV) range through improved efficiency.
AI, compute, and safety, in one MCU
- >20× acceleration to achieve real-time AI
- Improved lifetime through predictive maintenance
- Higher efficiency for AI-augmented motor control
- 500 MHz Arm® real-time Cortex®‑R52+ compute
- Split-lock feature to balance safety and maximum performance
- New smart low-power modes beyond traditional stand-by
Stellar P3E built for next-gen electrification
Stellar P3E is built to answer the highest-integration, highest-efficiency challenges in automotive electrification. It consolidates multiple ECUs and enables smart sensing, delivering the performance and intelligence required for next-generation xEV architectures:
- Integrate inverter, OBC, and DC DC into a single ECU
- Reduce cable weight, BOM cost, and system complexity
- 10 integrated timer modules for instant, jitter-free signal control and superiori real-time performance
- Synchronize >90 ADC and PWM signals to control front and rear axles in parallel
- Real-time parallel control of front and rear axles without added latency
Stellar P3E is a key addition to the Stellar P series
Stellar P3E is a key addition to the Stellar P series
The Stellar P3E is more than an evolution; it defines a new category of MCU by bridging the gap between mission-critical safety and embedded AI. It maintains seamless compatibility with the current Stellar portfolio while unlocking higher performance and smarter motor control.
Edge AI and tools to move faster
Stellar P3E is backed by the ST Edge AI suite - a comprehensive toolchain - connecting data scientists and embedded engineers in one flow:
Software & toolchain
- Fully supported in Stellar Studio, ST’s comprehensive automotive development environment.
- Automotive Software solutions such as AUTOSAR MCAL drivers
Get started today
Engineering samples of Stellar P3E are available now. Contact your local ST sales office to request samples and begin evaluating your design.
Full automotive qualification and production readiness are planned for H2 2026.