UBM Electronics Partners with STMicroelectronics and Partners to Launch the STM32 Design Challenge

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 8, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- UBM Electronics, a UBM company and the daily source of essential business and technical information for the electronics industry's decision makers, announced today the launch of the STM32 Design Challenge (www.STM32challenge.com), a six month contest and community sponsored by STMicroelectronics, and its partners ARM, Atollic, Digi-Key Corporation, IAR Systems and Keil.

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The objective of the Design Challenge is to expand awareness of ST's 32-bit STM32 ARM Cortex™-M3 microcontroller family by fostering a social community where electronics engineering contestants can build, test, and display their designs. The Design Challenge is, based on the "Discovery kit for STM32 Design Challenge" tool platform. It is organized in three phases - Conceptual Design, Early Prototype and Final Prototype. ST is emphasizing the breadth of its STM32 family by dividing the contest into three categories: Contestants can choose to build their designs in devices with embedded Flash memory usage of up to 32-KBytes; up to 256-KBytes; and up to 1-MByte.

"This design challenge illustrates the unique breadth of the STM32 portfolio, which consists of six product lines containing from 16-Kbyte to 1-Mbyte of Flash," said Stuart McLaren, Product Marketing Manager, STMicroelectronics. "Full software, pin- and development-tool compatibility across the over 140 products in the portfolio makes the STM32 an ideal platform to develop a broad range of applications."

A set of expert judges, including Community Member peers, will rate and vote for one overall winner for each phase. In addition, during each phase, Community Members will be eligible for prizes based on their community participation. The contestant that makes it through the three phases and is awarded the Design Challenge's Grand Prize will win $3,500 in Amazon gift cards and will be announced at the UBM Embedded Systems Conference, Silicon Valley, during the week of May 2, 2011.

All entrants who submit a valid title, abstract, and block diagram, will receive a FREE "Discovery kit for STM32 Design Challenge."

Ron Wilson, Editorial Director, UBM Electronics agrees. "The social aspect of peers rating, voting and even collaborating on the best designs will make the contest more exciting. Whether you're looking to develop an entry-level or a sophisticated system based on the ARM architecture, the STM32 developer kit provides a great starting point. And it lets you use all the tools you're already familiar with."

For contest rules, eligibility requirements and to register, visit www.STM32challenge.com.

About UBM Electronics

UBM Electronics is the global leader in media and marketing solutions for the electronics industry.   UBM Electronics delivers results for the key influencers and decision makers involved in the design, development and commercialization of technology through its market leading brands, peer communities and professional education services.   More than 2.2 million engineering professionals engage with UBM Electronics brands which include EE Times, EDN, EDN China, EDN Asia, EDN Japan, Design News and Test & Measurement World, TechOnline, Designlines and Embedded.com across the globe to accelerate technology sales. The international electronics community gathers at UBM Electronics market leading events such as the Embedded Systems Conferences, DesignCon and ARM Technology Conference to share, learn, discuss, and advance the critical issues and challenges facing the electronics industry. Additionally, UBM Electronics provides end-to-end services ranging from next-generation marketing, integrated media, custom solutions and research.  UBM Electronics is part of UBM (UBM.L) a global provider of media and information services for professional B2B communities and markets.

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.

About ARM

ARM designs the technology that lies at the heart of advanced digital products, from wireless, networking and consumer entertainment solutions to imaging, automotive, security and storage devices. ARM's comprehensive product offering includes 32-bit RISC microprocessors, graphics processors, video engines, enabling software, cell libraries, embedded memories, high-speed connectivity products, peripherals and development tools. Combined with comprehensive design services, training, support and maintenance, and the company's broad Partner community, they provide a total system solution that offers a fast, reliable path to market for leading electronics companies. More information on ARM is available at http://www.arm.com.

About Atollic

Atollic provides professional and highly integrated software development tools to the global embedded systems market. Atollic cooperates with many of the world's largest semiconductor manufacturers and has many partners in related fields. The company's products are distributed via an extensive international distributor network in over 30 countries. Atollic also offers expert software development services, primarily in the automotive, aerospace, defense, industrial and consumer markets. For more information on Atollic, please visit www.atollic.com

About Digi-Key Corporation

One of the world's fastest growing distributors of electronic components, Digi-Key has earned its reputation as an industry leader through its total commitment to service and performance. As a full-service provider of both prototype/design and production quantities of electronic components, Digi-Key has been ranked #1 for Overall Performance for 16 consecutive years from among the nation's more than 200 distributors (EE Times Distribution Study/ May 2007). Offering more than 1.7 million products from over 440 quality name-brand manufacturers Digi-Key's commitment to inventory is unparalleled. Access to the company's broad product offering is available 24/7 at Digi-Key's top-rated website, www.digikey.com.

About IAR Systems

IAR Systems is the world's leading supplier of software tools for embedded systems that enable large and small companies to develop premium products based on 8-, 16-, and 32-bit microcontrollers, mainly in the areas of industrial automation, medical devices, consumer electronics and automotive products. IAR Systems has an extensive network of partners and cooperates with the world's leading semiconductor vendors. Established in 1983, IAR Systems is part of the Intoi Group since 2005. For more information, please visit www.iar.com.

About Keil

Keil™, the tools division of ARM®, makes C/C++ compilers, debuggers, integrated environments, real-time kernels, simulation models, and boards for ARM, 8051, C166, and 251 processor families. The comprehensive range supports standard microcontrollers (MCU), smartcards, application specific standard parts (ASSP), and complex system-on-chip (SoC) devices. More information on Keil is available at http://www.keil.com/.

SOURCE UBM Electronics