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Development environment supports latest STM32 micros

ST takes Arm Cortex family to 512 kbytes of flash, with new peripheral mix

Hitex has announced third-party development support for the 22 new members of STMicroelectronics’ STM32 microcontroller family, with offerings from basic development through to advanced debugging and test. The STM32-PerformanceStick supports initial evaluation of the STM32, providing examples with source code to reveal insight into the microcontrollers and how applications can easily be implemented. The Hitex GNU compiler and the “Tantino for Cortex” debugger comprise a complete too chain for the STM32 family, with comprehensive support of the parts’ serial wire viewer functionality. Features include data trace, semihosting and performance analysis; a viewer displays data trace in graphical form. For safety-critical applications, you can complement the development environment with a module/unit test tool and code coverage analysis.

In the last few days, ST announced a major extension to its STM32 family, which it bases on the 32-bit ARM Cortex-M3 core, to provide up to 512 kbytes of on-chip flash, larger SRAM and extra features for displays, sound, storage and advanced control. 28 new devices span package options from 36-pin to 144-pin, with compatibility of pin assignments, peripherals and software across the range. The new parts provide 256, 384 or 512 kbytes of embedded flash for code and data storage, and SRAM sizes o 64 kbyte for the 72-MHz “Performance Line” variants, and 48 kbytes for the 36-MHz “Access Line” devices.
The Access Line is engineered to encourage entry to 32-bit design for cost-constrained applications, or 16-bit designs. Additional peripheral options include a flexible static-memory controller (FSMC) supporting NOR and NAND flash, SRAM, and CompactFlash memories. The FSMC also supports Intel 8080 and Motorola 6800 modes for parallel interface with LCD controllers. MCUs with that option also feature a host interface for removable media including SD (Secure Digital), SDIO (Secure Digital Input/Output) and MMC (MultiMediaCard). ST has also added an I2S port supporting master and slave modes, audio-sampling frequencies from 8 kHz to 48 kHz, a 2-channel 12-bit DAC and an Embedded Trace Macrocell (ETM). 32- or 64-kbyte variants can occupy a new QFN36, 6 x 6mm package.
In addition, the new Performance Line MCUs, with 256 kbytes to 512 kbytes of flash, now include an extra PWM timer, offering two timers with seven outputs and dead-time control. These two PWM timers combine up to four standard 16-bit timers to allow support of up to twenty-eight PWM signals using the largest package. With an extra 12-bit ADC, these devices provide up to 21 channels of ADC with triple sample-and-hold capability. This gives the STM32 dual motor-control capabilities, to enable it to drive two 3-phase brushless motors at the same time for air-conditioning units and applications requiring four-wheel drive, for example. All Performance Line MCUs also include a USB port and CAN interface.
Prices at 10,000 volumes range from $1.80 to $6.51.