Chipmaker STMicroelectronics launched what it claimed was the industry’s first 18nm microcontroller for high-performance applications, which SpaceX selected for use on its Starlink satellite constellation.  

In addition to the next-generation 18nm FD-SOI technology, STMicroelectronics’ STM32V8 microcontroller is also equipped with advanced phase-change embedded memory (PCM).

The company stated it features 4MB of non-volatile PCM, which boasts the smallest cell size on the market, allowing for high integration and cost efficiency.

Elon Musk-owned SpaceX is using the STM32V8 in a mini laser system for inter-satellite links. The company said the new microcontroller is also ideal for use across demanding industrial applications such as factory automation, motor control and robotics.

It is equipped with Arm’s Cortex-M885 core and has clock speeds of up to 800MHz, making it the most powerful STM32 MCU ever shipped, the company stated.

The chipset is manufactured at the company’s 300mm fabrication facility in Crolles, France “and also in collaboration with Samsung Foundry”.

STMicroelectronics stated the STM32V8 microcontroller is in an early-stage access phase for certain customers, and key manufacturing partners will have access to it in Q1 of 2026.

Analyst view
J. Gold Associates president and principal analyst Jack Gold told Mobile World Live the combination of new Arm architecture and 18nm gives the MCU greater performance “at much reduced power”.

“Starlink needs to preserve all the power they can in their satellites as power constraints are a key cause of signal disruptions and performance issues,” he explained. “With more capacity to do proper signal processing, a large part of the burden of the electronics package onboard and also using less power, it’s a win-win for Starlink for moving to the latest chipsets.”