Date: 23/06/2009

Audio supporting microcontroller with USB OTG and CAN 2.0 interface

ST Microelectronics has launched ARM Cortex-M3 based microcontroller family called STM32. The STM32 family devices support simultaneous dataflow in Ethernet, USB, Controller Area Network (CAN) and audio-class I2S communication interfaces.
The two versions released now are, the STM32F105 with USB 2.0 Host/Device/OTG peripheral and two CAN2.0B controllers, and STM32F107 with 10/100 Ethernet MAC supporting real-time applications.
The key highlight of these MCUs are they hold buffers allow the USB OTG, the two CAN controllers and the Ethernet interfaces to operate simultaneously.

The built-in audio-class I2S communication interface can read the audio/music files from external storage such as a external USB drives/SSDs, an MP3 player or SD card, and decode and output audio via the I2S. Such features are required in home-audio products such as docking systems, alarm-clock/music players, and home theaters. ARM Cortex-M3 performs well in executing audio codecs and human-interface functions such as display-data handling and the Play and Stop buttons in software.

"Our considerable expertise with ARM Cortex-M3 allows us to quickly introduce new products delivering the advantages of power-efficient operation, solid real-time performance, and innovative shared peripherals to an industry-standard core," said Jim Nicholas, STMicroelectronics Microcontrollers Division Manager. "With four STM32 families in full production, a new ultra-low-power STM32L MCU platform in development, and more innovations planned, our reliable roadmap enables customers to target established markets as well as emerging opportunities."

The STM32F105 with 64Kbyte, 128Kbyte or 256Kbyte of embedded Flash, and the STM32F107 with 128Kbyte or 256Kbyte, are available immediately in LQFP64 or LQFP100 packages. Prices are from $2.90 in the 64Kbyte LQFP64 package up to $4.92 for 256Kbyte devices in the LQFP100, for quantities of 10,000 units.