Date: 24/02/2010

ST Micro's new STM32 MCUs with up to 1MB of flash memory

ST Microelectronics has redesigned STM32 microcontroller family Microcontroller chips to increase its on-chip flash memory to 1-Mbyte enabling these MCUs to support 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; what it claims as, 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. ST says, 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.

The other features of the STM32 XL-density devices are additional high-speed volatile memory (RAM), up to 96KB and six more timers. The new Memory Protection Unit (MPU) in this family 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 to enable 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 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.

Availability: Now in samples, volumes in 2nd quarter of 2010.

Price:
STM32F101RFT6 (768Kbyte Flash and LQFP64 package): Each $4.78 for 10K pieces
STM32F103RGZ6 (1MByte Flash and LQFP144 package): Each $7.11 for 10K pieces

ST's website is www.st.com