ST exhibits broad range of solutions for embedded systems

Embedded Technology 2009, PACIFICO YOKOHAMA, TOKYO, JAPAN: STMicroelectronics, one of the world’s leading semiconductor manufacturers, will showcase its latest embedded system solutions for use in applications covering the consumer, automotive, industrial and computer peripheral arenas at Embedded Technology 2009 to be held at PACIFICO YOKOHAMA, Japan, from Wednesday, November 18-20, 2009.

Products and development boards will be on display at its booth and ST engineers will be on hand to provide demonstrations. Main solutions to be Introduced at ST's booth:

32-bit MCUs
* Solutions focusing on MCU connectivity will be highlighted. These will center on the STM32 Connectivity Line, newly added to the ARM Cortex-M3 core-based 32-bit MCU product line. An Internet radio demonstration at the booth will enable visitors to listen to actual Internet radio transmissions using the LAN-connected STM32F107 evaluation board. High-speed streaming is carried out using only the STM32F107 and its built-in memory, proving the sophisticated capability of the product.

* A further demonstration will show that high-performance Ethernet functions can be achieved at low-power consumption of just 10mA (standby), when the STM32F107 is used as a slave-MCU in projectors and printers. In this demonstration, the MCU operation mode can be controlled from the LAN-connected PC and energy consumption rates confirmed in real-time. This demonstration also shows that the STM32F107 can perform not only as a slave MCU but also as a master MCU.

* In addition, ST engineers will be available to give explanations on the first embedded flash-memory ARM Cortex-M3 core-based 32-bit MCU technology in the industry to use 90nm process technology. Bringing 90nm flash technology to STM32 products enables further advances in performance and power efficiency, allowing applications with even more enhanced capability.

8-bit MCUs
* Introductions will be given on STM8L products, the first 8-bit MCUs that cut power consumption in active mode to the same level as in idle mode, through combining high-performance 8-bit architecture with ground-breaking ultra-low-power technology.

The STM8L family enhances product performance and capability while also responding to market demands, meeting the requests of end users for more environmentally friendly products and longer battery life in items such as mobile devices and medical, industrial, electronic metering, sensing and security equipment. At ST’s booth, engineers will demonstrate the smooth running of the STM8L evaluation board with five different power-source applications including solar energy and RFID transmitters.

Automotive MCUs
The next-generation 32-bit automotive MCU SPC56 family, based on scalable Power Architecture and leading-edge 90nm embedded flash memory technology, will be showcased. This family results from the joint development program between ST and Freescale.

At the booth, a dashboard demonstration kit mounted with the SPC56S will be used to demonstrate how automatic speedometers and liquid crystal displays can be controlled with one chip. Another demo, targeting chassis and safety applications, will emphasize the SPC56P evaluation board enabling cost-effective advanced motor control for applications such as power steering and ABS (Antilock Braking System).

* An introduction will be provided on the STM8A product line of automotive 8-bit MCUs that are optimized to applications requiring non-volatile memory, such as body control, actuators, remote keyless entry systems and anti-theft devices.

Usually, flash memory embedded in MCUs is used as quasi-EEPROM, but STM8A products provide a block of flash memory in the MCU that operates in a role like an external EEPROM, enabling rewriting to be performed 300,000 times. The booth will exhibit software development environments that, using the STM8A range, provide users with high levels of reliability, robust applications and low system cost.