ST locks in STM32 advantages with new megabyte devices

INDIA: STMicroelectronics has extended its STM32 microcontroller family with extra features and up to 1-Mbyte of on-chip Flash.

The additional Flash at least doubles the memory available to STM32 developers, thereby supporting future scalability, increasing system performance, and providing advanced application features, such as next-generation graphical user interfaces for consumer and industrial products.

With the introduction of these STM32 XL-density devices, ST now has 99 STM32 variants; the industry’s largest family of microcontrollers using the advanced ARM Cortex-M3 32-bit processor core, offering a range of memory densities, operating speeds, and integrated features to solve diverse application demands.

All STM32 devices are pin and software compatible, and share from a common pool of peripherals. This commonality allows developers to upgrade products with minimal redesign, and to re-use their intellectual property, tools and hardware in multiple projects to reduce costs and speed-up time to market.

Additional new features of the STM32 XL-density devices include additional high-speed volatile memory (RAM), up to 96KB, which can simplify software design and speed-up execution. Six more timers are also included, increasing flexibility for applications such as motor control, factory automation or power distribution.

Furthermore, a Memory Protection Unit (MPU) has been added, which is transparent to existing software but allows new applications to protect specific code or data during execution. This feature permits efficient use of existing certified software modules in projects such as medical or metering equipment, saving the time and cost to re-certify the complete application.

The 1MB Flash memory is organized in two banks of 512Kbytes. This dual-bank architecture thereby enables safe upgrading of applications in the field by uploading new software into the second memory bank. The update can then be copied across safely into the main bank, and the process managed to protect against hazards such as power loss while the upgrade is being applied.

The new devices complement the existing product lines of the industry’s most extensive Cortex-M3 microcontroller portfolio. The STM32F101Access Line XL density devices continue to provide the low-cost and high-functionality established with the original STM32 Access Line.

The STM32F103Performance Line XL density devices extend the existing Performance Line that features faster 72MHz core and extra connectivity like USB and CAN, to applications that require additional memory. With these XL density devices, both lines now comprise versions with 768Kbyte or 1Mbyte Flash memory in a choice of 64-, 100-, or 144-pin packages.

The complete STM32 product portfolio includes the Access Line devices, the USB Access Line with on-chip USB support, the 72MHz Performance Line with USB and CAN, and the Connectivity Line supporting Ethernet, USB OTG and dual CAN. The new STM32 XL density devices are now sampling to lead customers. High-volume availability will begin from Q2 2010.

Prices for 10Kunit range from $4.78 for the Access Line STM32F101RFT6 with 768Kbyte Flash and LQFP64 package, to $7.11 for the Performance Line STM32F103RGZ6 with 1MByte Flash and LQFP144 package.