Interconnect Matrix

Interconnect Matrix in STM32 Microcontrollers

The Interconnect Matrix in STM32 microcontrollers enables direct and autonomous
connections between peripherals, bypassing the need for CPU or software intervention.
This feature optimizes power consumption, minimizes latency, and allows specific operations
even during low-power modes.

Key Features of the Interconnect Matrix

1. Direct Peripheral Connections:
o The matrix enables peripherals (e.g., timers, ADCs, DACs, comparators) to
directly trigger or communicate with each other without involving the CPU.
o This reduces software latency and GPIO usage, optimizing performance.
2. Autonomous Operations:
o The interconnect matrix can operate independently during low-power
modes, ensuring seamless communication between peripherals.
3. Reduced Power Consumption:
o By avoiding CPU-driven register reads/writes or GPIO toggling, power
consumption is reduced.
4. Time-Predictable Operations:
o Real-time, hardware-based peripheral interconnections ensure time-critical
tasks are predictable and efficient.

Source and Destination Peripherals

 Source Peripherals:
o EXTI (External Interrupts), timers, analog IPs (ADC, COMP), clocks, RTC, and
System Error signals.
 Destination Peripherals:
o Timers, infrared interfaces, and analog IPs (e.g., ADC, DAC).

Use Cases of the Interconnect Matrix

1. Timer Synchronization and Chaining
  Master Timer → Slave Timer: A master timer can reset, start, stop, or clock a slave
timer.
 Example: Timer 3 as a master clocking Timer 2, acting as a prescaler.
2. Triggering Events
 Timers → ADC/DAC:
o Timers can trigger ADC conversions or DAC outputs.
 EXTI → Timers/Analog:
o EXTI events can trigger timers, ADCs, or DACs.
3. Analog Signal Management
 ADC watchdog signals can trigger a timer when a specific threshold is crossed.
 Comparators (COMP) outputs can trigger timers or act as break inputs to protect
power switches.
4. Clock Calibration
 Example: Using a timer to measure the LSE oscillator frequency while being clocked
by an internal oscillator like HSI16 or LSI.
5. Low-Power Applications
 Start low-power timers from events like RTC alarms, tamper events, or comparator
outputs.
 Maintain interconnections in Run, Sleep, Low-power Sleep, Stop0, and Stop1
modes.
6. Signal Modulation and Protection
 Generating infrared pulse modulation using two synchronized timers.
 Using System Error signals to protect timer-driven power switches by triggering a
timer’s break input.

Low-Power Mode Support

 The interconnect matrix remains active in:
o Run Mode
o Sleep Mode
o Low-Power Sleep Mode
 For certain connections (e.g., RTC or comparator to low-power timers), it also works
in:
 o Stop0 and Stop1 Modes

Example of Timer Synchronization

 Timer 3 as Master Timer can:
o Reset, start, stop, or clock Timer 2 configured as a slave timer.
o Timer 3 acts as a clock source, while Timer 2 serves as a prescaler for
subsequent tasks.

Advantages of the Interconnect Matrix

1. Latency Reduction: No need for software or CPU involvement for peripheral
synchronization.
2. Power Efficiency: Reduces power usage by avoiding GPIO toggling or CPU load.
3. Real-Time Processing: Ensures predictable timing for critical tasks.
4. Low-Power Operation: Enables inter-peripheral communication even in low-power
modes.

Working of the Interconnect Matrix in STM32 Microcontrollers

The Interconnect Matrix in STM32 microcontrollers allows direct, hardware-based
communication between different peripherals without CPU or software intervention. It
works autonomously to trigger, synchronize, or chain peripheral operations, thereby
improving performance, reducing latency, and lowering power consumption.

Working Principle of the Interconnect Matrix

1. Peripheral Connections:
o The Interconnect Matrix enables point-to-point connections between source
peripherals (like timers, EXTI, RTC, ADC) and destination peripherals (like
timers, DAC, analog modules).
o Example: A timer can trigger an ADC conversion directly through the matrix
without CPU involvement.
2. Event-Based Triggering:
o Events generated by source peripherals are sent directly to destination
peripherals through the matrix.
 o Events include:
 Timer overflows, resets, or matches.
 External interrupts (EXTI).
 Analog watchdog signals (e.g., threshold crossing on ADC).
 Clock events from RTC or internal clocks.
3. Hardware-Based Synchronization:
o The matrix enables synchronization or chaining of peripherals.
o Example:
 Master Timer triggers or resets a Slave Timer.
 A timer event can trigger ADC conversions to ensure real-time
synchronization.
4. Autonomous Operation During Low-Power Modes:
o The interconnect matrix can remain active in low-power modes (e.g., Sleep,
Low-Power Sleep, Stop0, and Stop1).
o This allows peripherals like low-power timers (LPTIM) or the RTC to trigger
events even when the CPU is idle or stopped.

Step-by-Step Operation
1. Event Generation:
o A source peripheral generates an event (e.g., timer overflow, EXTI input
signal, or analog comparator threshold crossing).
2. Signal Routing via Interconnect Matrix:
o The generated event is, routed through the Interconnect Matrix to the
destination peripheral.
o The matrix automatically connects the source and destination based on
predefined routes in hardware.
3. Event Handling at the Destination:
o The destination peripheral reacts to the event (e.g., starts a timer, triggers an
ADC conversion, or generates an output signal).
o This ensures real-time execution of tasks without requiring CPU intervention.