Semiconductor manufacturer GigaDevice has announced the launch of its latest high-performance 32-bit microcontrollers, the GD32F503 and GD32F505 series, further strengthening the company’s flagship GD32 MCU family built on the Arm Cortex-M33 core. The new chips are designed for demanding industrial, consumer, and automation applications that require high computing power, energy efficiency, and advanced security.
Built on the Arm v8-M architecture, the GD32F503/505 series operates at up to 280 MHz, delivering strong performance, flexible memory configurations, and a robust set of security and peripheral features. The devices are now available as engineering samples, with mass production slated for December 2025.
The GD32F503/505 MCUs feature the Arm Cortex-M33 high-performance core with a digital signal processing (DSP) accelerator and a single-precision floating-point unit (FPU). The GD32F505 runs at 280 MHz, while the GD32F503 version operates at 252 MHz. These performance metrics translate to up to 4.10 CoreMark/MHz and 1.51 DMIPS/MHz, placing the new chips among the fastest in their class for general-purpose embedded applications.
With up to 1 MB of Flash and 192 KB of SRAM, the series offers flexible memory allocation through scatter loading—allowing developers to configure memory segments for specific tasks and optimize performance for complex workloads such as motor control, digital power systems, and robotics. This memory flexibility provides scalability and cost-efficiency across diverse industrial and consumer electronics designs.
The GD32F503/505 family integrates a comprehensive range of analog and digital peripherals tailored for advanced control applications. Each device includes three ADCs with sampling rates up to 3 Msps, supporting up to 25 channels, alongside a fast comparator and DAC for precision measurement and protection. The chips support a suite of connectivity interfaces—three SPIs, two I2Ss, two I2Cs, three USARTs, two UARTs, two CAN-FD controllers, and one USBFS port—ensuring seamless communication with external sensors and devices.
For time-critical operations, the series features a robust timing subsystem: one 32-bit general-purpose timer, five 16-bit general-purpose timers, two 16-bit basic timers, and two advanced PWM timers. These provide accurate control and protection for high-speed operations, especially in digital power supply and motor control systems. The devices operate within a 2.6V to 3.6V range and withstand temperatures from -40°C to +105°C, making them suitable for industrial environments. Three power-saving modes help optimize energy efficiency, extending their use to battery-powered or portable applications.
Designed for longevity and stability, the GD32F503/505 series features enhanced electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection. The devices support up to 8 kV contact discharge and 15 kV air discharge, with HBM/CDM ratings of 4000V/1000V, ensuring durability in electrically noisy conditions. According to GigaDevice, the MCUs can operate continuously for over 25 years in typical industrial applications, surpassing standard industry reliability benchmarks.
Recognizing the rising importance of data integrity and protection, the GD32F503/505 series incorporates a comprehensive chip-level security architecture. This includes Secure Boot and Secure Firmware Update (SBSFU) platforms, user secure storage areas, and anti-rollback protection. A dedicated hardware security engine supports AES-128/256 encryption, SHA-256 hashing, and includes a True Random Number Generator (TRNG). Each MCU is embedded with a unique hardware UID, supporting secure device identification and lifecycle management.
For system reliability, the devices employ multi-channel watchdogs, power and clock monitoring, and hardware CRC verification to ensure operational safety. The series’ Software Test Library (STL) has achieved IEC 61508 SC3 (SIL 2/SIL 3) functional safety certification in Germany. GigaDevice also offers a Safety Package that includes a safety manual, FMEDA report, and self-test library, helping developers meet industry compliance standards faster.
The GD32F503/505 series is available in multiple package types, including LQFP100/64/48, QFN64/48/32, and BGA64, catering to diverse design needs from compact consumer electronics to high-power industrial modules. Supporting documentation, software libraries, and development tools are available on GigaDevice’s official website, along with sample applications and evaluation boards. GigaDevice provides its GD32 Embedded Builder IDE, GD-LINK debug tools, and the GD32 All-In-One Programmer, while leading tool providers such as Arm® KEIL, IAR Systems, and SEGGER offer full integration support.
The introduction of the GD32F503/505 series reinforces GigaDevice’s strategy to expand its presence in the high-performance embedded systems market, building on its established reputation for reliability and versatility in Flash memory and MCU products. “The GD32F503/505 series delivers a strong combination of performance, flexibility, and security,” a company spokesperson said. “It extends the GD32 family’s capabilities into new, high-demand areas such as robotics, automation, and smart energy systems.”
