QUERY · ISSUE

Is it possible for micropython running on STM32 to expand memory through PSRAM?

openby china-zhangdjopened 2021-09-08updated 2021-09-13

port-stm32

Is it possible for micropython running on STM32 to expand memory through PSRAM?
Thanks for your help.

CANDIDATE · ISSUE

Use SDCard as external heap for mbedTLS

closedby AmirHmZzopened 2022-08-17updated 2022-08-17

enhancement

I just wonder If it possible to use SDCard as an external heap memory for some features like mbedTLS or even Micropython heap. This feature seems to be something like ReadyBoost feature of Microsoft (I know ReadyBoost acts differently but it was the most similar thing that I could remember). The main reason behind this is in some countries access to a suitable PSRAM for a specific MCU is impossible. For e.g. in our country ESP32 supporting PSRAMs are unavailable in stocks and it is also impossible to ship them from mouser or any other website. I just wonder to know is it possible to make something like this work and If the answer is yes, how much work this might need to be implemented ?

Assessment

Q Qwen · high

Both items discuss external memory expansion for MicroPython, but they target different ports and different underlying technologies. Issue #7762 specifically asks about PSRAM support on STM32, which is a hardware-level memory expansion using external SRAM chips. Issue #9065 is a feature request for ESP32 to use SDCard as an external heap, motivated by PSRAM unavailability but proposing a completely different solution (flash-based storage vs. RAM). While they share the high-level concept of 'external memory expansion,' the implementation approaches, affected code areas (stm32 vs esp32), and technical requirements are fundamentally different. PSRAM integration requires specific hardware support and memory controller configuration, whereas SDCard-based heap would involve virtual memory management over flash storage.

Suggested action

Keep both issues open as they address different technical solutions for different ports. The STM32 PSRAM question requires hardware-specific implementation, while the SDCard heap feature request is a broader virtual memory enhancement that could potentially apply to multiple ports but is distinct from PSRAM integration.

Is it possible for micropython running on STM32 to expand memory through PSRAM?

Use SDCard as external heap for mbedTLS

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