STMicroelectronics Expands STM32 Options With Lower Flash-Density Devices

STMicroelectronics has extended options for users of its STM32 MCUs, by introducing new devices with 16 Kbyte Flash density as well as a complete new 48MHz series of microcontrollers optimized for USB applications. There are now 60 STM32 MCUs available, combining the advanced ARM Cortex-M3 core with pin and software compatibility across all variants for efficient product development and shorter design cycles.

The 16 Kbyte memory densities now added to the 36MHz Access Line and 72MHz Performance Line MCUs are ideal for cost-sensitive applications with high code density. QFN36, LQFP48 and LQFP64 packages are all supported at 16 Kbytes. With this latest expansion, both families now deliver Flash densities from 16 Kbytes to 512 Kbytes, with up to 48 Kbytes of SRAM in the Access Line and 64 Kbytes of SRAM in the Performance Line. To support miniaturization and cost saving, this broad spectrum of memory densities combines with high integration of advanced peripherals, including embedded USART operating at up to 4.5 Mbit/s, 18MHz SPI master and slave interfaces, PWM timer with 72MHz input, up to 48MHz SDIO, and an I2S module supporting sampling up to 48kHz.

The new USB Access Line MCUs, in densities from 16 Kbytes to 128 Kbytes, integrate a USB Full-Speed Device peripheral in a competitively priced, low- power family. With LQFP64 and LQFP48 package configurations, there are eight devices available. To accelerate design and development, the supporting STM32 USB developer kit provides a complete, USB-certified firmware package including support for control-transfer, interrupt-transfer, bulk-transfer and isochronous-transfer modes as well as device firmware updates and virtual COM operation.

Development support for all STM32 devices, including the new configurations, comprises evaluation boards and free software libraries from ST, as well as third-party tool chains from vendors including Keil, Hitex, IAR and Raisonance.

With compatibility between pin assignments, software, firmware, and tools, the latest range of STM32 Access Line, USB Access Line and Performance Line MCUs provide a common development basis for projects ranging from MIPS-hungry applications to battery-operated devices. Developers are able to leverage investment in hardware, code, tools and knowledge to shrink time to market and save development costs. All devices are based on the 32-bit ARM Cortex-M3 core, combining the industry-standard ARM architecture with up to 35% more speed, 45% code-size savings, and the embedded fast interrupt controller supporting low-latency operation and enabling real-time performance.

The STM32 range builds on the power-saving advantages of the ARM Cortex-M3 core, which achieves six-cycle wake-up time from standby to support precision power management. The STM32’s low operating voltage, from 2.0V to 3.6V enables direct battery operation, and the devices combine high dynamic efficiency in running mode with features such as three different low-power modes and versatile clocking schemes. In run mode at 72MHz, the STM32 has current consumption as low as 27mA. There is also a separate power domain for the RTC, which typically draws 1.4 microamps at 3.3V and features an embedded switchover to run from a dedicated coin-cell battery or the main supply.

For orders of 10,000 pieces, the USB Access Line MCUs are priced at $1.86 in the 16-Kbyte LQFP48 configuration and $2.97 for 128 Kbyte devices in LQFP64. STM32 prices now start at $1.68 for 16-Kbyte QFN36 Access Line devices, also in quantities of 10,000 pieces.