Geneva – STMicroelectronics has introduced the world’s first family of
ARM-based microcontrollers, the STR730F series, that is specifically designed to address the emerging demand for
high-performance, cost-effective and off-the-shelf 32-bit microcontrollers optimised for industrial applications
such as factory automation, appliances, test and measurement equipment, point-of-sale terminals, and security
systems. A single 5V power rail is the preferred supply configuration for industrial applications that need robust
operation, especially in terms of noise immunity, and the STR730F family is the first family of ARM-based
microcontrollers to meet this need. In addition, the devices are specified over an extended temperature range of
-40°C to +105°C and include a particularly rich set of peripherals tailored for industrial applications, thereby
providing further cost reductions in these competitive applications.
The new microcontroller family has been
designed to implement the main
controller functions in complex industrial applications. For this
reason,
the devices deliver very high performance via a 32MIPS ARM7TDMI RISC
processor
core, full-speed (zero wait state) access to up to 256Kbytes
of embedded Flash program memory, and a
16-channel DMA facility that
significantly reduces the CPU load in complex applications. In addition,
the integrated peripherals such as three independent CAN controllers,
a fast
(3µs), 16-channel/10-bit ADC, up to 16 PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation) outputs capable of supporting multiple
single-phase or three-phase motor-driving requirements, a full complement of industry-standard serial communications
interfaces, and a Real-Time Clock, eliminate the need for external peripheral devices in most applications.
“The new STR730F series builds on ST’s track record as a world leader in integrating ARM
cores into SoC (System-on-Chip) solutions and standard microcontroller products, as well as our long-established
expertise in providing full system solutions for our customers in a wide range of industrial markets,” said
Jim Nicholas, General Manager of ST’s Microcontroller Division. “Complementing our existing STR710
devices, the new STR730F family demonstrates yet again ST’s unique ability to draw upon the industry’s
broadest range of process, circuit, system, and applications expertise to deliver a product that is uniquely
positioned to satisfy an important emerging demand.”
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The key
features of the STR730F family include the industry-standard, high-performance ARM7 RISC core, which is strongly
supported by a wide range of development tools; ST’s world-leading embedded Flash memory technology, which is
offered in configurations from 64 to 256Kbyte of program memory in the initial family range; a rich set of embedded
peripherals; a choice of TQFP144 (20x20), TQFP100 (14x14) and the very small BGA144 (10x10) package options; and
power minimization via two embedded voltage regulators and five low-power modes.
Like all ST
microcontroller products, the new STR730F family is part of a platform that includes hardware and software
evaluation and development aids, as well as comprehensive on-line applications support, including free downloadable
software and libraries.
Samples of the STR730F devices are available now, with prices (in 10K
quantities) ranging from US$4.53 for the STR736FV0 (TQFP100, 64K memory size, No CAN, 4xUART, and 12xPWM) to US$8.99
for the STR730FZ2 (TQFP144, 256K memory size, 3xCAN, 4xUART, and 16xPWM).
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