Microsoft has announced that Azure Sphere, its solution for creating Internet-connected microcontroller (MCU) devices, will be generally available in February of 2020.

Azure Sphere comprises three components: certified microcontrollers (MCUs) that combines both real-time and application processors with built-in Microsoft security technology; Sphere OS which offers multiple layers of security; and Security Service, a cloud service that guards every Azure Sphere device.

At the IoT Solutions World Congress 2019, Microsoft said that Azure Sphere is aimed at empowering every organization on the planet to connect and create secured and trustworthy IoT device. The company said it has made several investments and partnerships to help its customers on their IoT journey.

Designed to meet the needs of the more traditional MCU space, the first Azure Sphere chip was the MediaTek MT3620. Azure Sphere development kits from Microsoft partners at Seeed Studios and Avnet are designed to streamline the prototyping and planning when building Azure Sphere devices.

Once customers are ready to shift gears into production mode, there are a variety of modules by partners including AI-Link, USI, and Avnet to help them reduce costs and accelerate production.