STMicroelectronics Advances Easy-Access Microcontroller Development with Third-Generation Platform - Delivering Extra Flexibility Plus Cost Savings

GENEVA, Jan. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a world leader in microcontrollers, is leading the trend to simplify product design with plug-and-play modules for prototyping, by releasing its third-generation development platform for customers using STM8 and STM32 microcontrollers.

The new EvoPrimer platform builds on experience from ST's Primer and Primer2 kits, the industry's first low-cost, hand-held tools for rapid prototyping with the STM8 and STM32. Now, EvoPrimer further increases flexibility and lowers customers' overall investment in tools by providing a common base unit with interchangeable low-cost microcontroller modules, or target boards. This flexibility provides a quick and cost-effective way to evaluate alternative variants from the large STM8 and STM32 families.

Target boards are available now to support STM8L ultra low-power 8-bit microcontrollers, as well as the 32-bit STM32F Connectivity and Performance Lines families. Additional target boards are soon to be introduced for the ultra low-power STM32L and the ultra high-performance STM32 F-2 series featuring advanced 90nm process technology.

The target boards connect readily to functions on board the EvoPrimer base unit, including an LCD touchscreen, a joystick, a MEMS accelerometer, a microphone, loudspeaker and jack, a Micro SD card connector, and a Li-ion battery with charge-management circuitry. An integrated extension connector allows extra functions to be added, if needed. EvoPrimer is also integrated with the CircleOS operating system, which provides services that save designers having to understand all the complexities of the microcontroller.

To help users succeed with their designs, ST supports two online communities bringing together over 15,000 engineers using Primer tools with the STM8 or STM32 families. Almost 100 downloadable projects are available to members, and most will run immediately on EvoPrimer.

The communities can be found at www.stm8circle.com and www.stm32circle.com, and provide many other facilities including access to product specialists and popular discussion forums.

The EvoPrimer is initially available as a kit with one specified target board, priced at $99. Extra target boards are available for $24, and the base unit can also be purchased separately for $75. The platform is shipped with the Raisonance Ride 7 application development environment, and the Raisonance STM8 C compiler or GNU C compiler for STM32.

Available configurations and part numbers:

• EvoPrimer base platform only: STMPRIMER-BASE
• EvoPrimer with STM8L target board: STM8L1526PRIMER
• EvoPrimer with STM32 Performance Line target board: STM3210EPRIMER
• EvoPrimer with STM32 Connectivity Line target board: STM3210CPRIMER
• STM8L target board standalone: STM8L1526PRIM-D
• STM32 Performance Line target board standalone: STM3210EPRIM-D
• STM32 Connectivity Line target board standalone: STM3210CPRIM-D
• Extension board with wrapping area: STMPRIMER-PROTO

About the STM8 family

ST's STM8 is an 8-bit family featuring an advanced processing core that delivers performance comparable to that of many 16-bit devices at significantly lower cost. All family members are pin and software compatible thereby enhancing design migration and future-proof scalability. Designers can also move easily from an STM8 based design to the STM32, benefiting from a high degree of commonality among available peripherals. Further advantages for designers include access to the STM8 Touch Sensing Library, which simplifies development of advanced use interfaces.

The STM8L family supported initially by EvoPrimer uses ST's EnergyLite™ technology, featuring a dedicated, proprietary 130nm process optimized for ultra-low leakage and other innovations including low-power embedded non-volatile memory and power consumption independent of Vdd.

About the STM32 family

The STM32 family is built using the industry-standard ARM® Cortex™-M3 core, which features a modern architecture delivering low power consumption as well as cost savings compared to other 32-bit or even 16-bit devices. In total, more than 140 variants are now available including the devices supported by EvoPrimer target boards. Among these, the STM32F103 Performance Line variants operate up to 72MHz and provide up to 1Mbyte on-chip Flash, while the STM32F105 and F107 Connectivity Line devices add the extra flexibility of Ethernet, USB OTG, CAN and SPI connections all in one device.

New target boards planned for the EvoPrimer range will support advanced 90nm STM32 F-2 devices offering increased performance including operation up to 120MHz, and the ultra low-power STM32L family featuring EnergyLite technology.

About STMicroelectronics

STMicroelectronics is a global leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications with innovative semiconductor solutions. ST aims to be the undisputed leader in multimedia convergence and power applications leveraging its vast array of technologies, design expertise and combination of intellectual property portfolio, strategic partnerships and manufacturing strength. In 2009, the Company's net revenues were $8.51 billion. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com.

SOURCE STMicroelectronics