News & Updates from STMicroelectronics
November 2009

Learn, evaluate and use the STM8 microcontroller with the STM8S-Discovery kit

The STM8S-Discovery kit is the quickest way to explore and demonstrate STM8S105C6T6 functionalities and create your own applications. All software suites, from the in-circuit debugger to the C compiler with various software libraries are available free of charge. Once programmed, the MCU module can be separated from the debugger circuit, and be connected inside the designed application. This extremely affordable the tool can be obtained through ST's e-sampling program, as well as from distributors for a suggested retail price of $7. More

ST's MEMS gyroscopes portfolio expanded with new ultra-compact devices

ST has expanded its motion-sensor portfolio with a broad range of thirteen new single-axis (yaw) and two-axis (pitch-and-roll, pitch-and-yaw) MEMS gyroscopes. The new gyroscopes fit in miniature packages of 3 x 5 x 1 and 4 x 5 x 1 mm3, addressing the size constraints of consumer applications, such as gaming and pointing devices, digital cameras, and personal navigation devices. More

Rugged smartcard ICs target secure machine-to-machine applications

ST's ST32-M combines secure smartcard technology and advanced 32-bit ARM Cortex™ processing to deliver solutions for the most demanding machine-to-machine (M2M) applications. Capable of managing SIM data, these M2M devices enable secure wireless communications between various system elements (cars, metering systems, vending machines, and more), while withstanding extreme environmental conditions such as extended temperature, humidity and vibration ranges, with extended guaranteed lifetime. More

Smart reset ICs resolve system freeze with dual-assert push-button inputs

The STM65xx family of reset ICs provides dual-assert manual-reset (push-button) inputs that make it possible to reliably resolve a system hang or freeze condition. The devices use two system buttons that are not likely to be accidentally pressed at the same time (a keypad and a select button for example). To initiate the system reset function, the user must then press and hold the two buttons simultaneously for a selectable length of time, thus guarding against unintended resets. More

The industry's most accurate current drivers help avoid bright spots in high-efficiency electronic signs

Strengthening it leading position in the LED lighting semiconductor market, ST has released a new series of highly accurate LED drivers with automatic power saving. These precision devices enable electronic signage such as road signs, advertising, stadium displays, battery or solar-powered signs and similar equipment to deliver better, high-resolution viewing by ensuring consistent brightness across the viewing area. The STP16CPP05, STP16CPPS05, STP16DPP05 and STP16DPPS05 are in volume production now. More

Dual-core 32-bit SIL3/ASILD microcontrollers target automotive chassis and safety applications

Based on the 32-bit Power Architecture® technology, the SPC56EL is ideal for a wide range of automotive applications, including electric power steering, active suspension, anti-lock braking and radar for adaptive cruise control. In addition to a rich set of automotive peripherals such as 3-phase BLDC motor control blocks, the devices include two 32-bit dual-issue PowerPC cores with cache memory, DSP and vector floating point support. The devices have been designed specifically to address the requirements of the IEC 61508 SIL3 level and ISO 26262 ASILD level safety standards. More

Demonstration module packs MEMS gyro, accelerometers, pressure and temperature sensors

iNEMO (STEVAL-MKI062V1) is a unique platform demonstrating the performance of ST’s most advanced inertial, temperature and pressure sensors. The inertial system has 9 degrees of freedom and represents a complete hardware platform for many applications such as virtual reality, augmented reality, image stabilization, human-machine interfaces and robotics. The kit includes a PC GUI for sensor output display and a firmware library to facilitate the use of the demonstration board features. A complete set of communication interfaces (USB, wireless, COM), small 4.5 x 5 cm size, and several power supply options make iNEMO a flexible and open evaluation platform. More

New RFID 2-Kbit IC enables contactless tickets to manage access to multiple services

The SRi2K leverages ST’s position as the world’s leading supplier of EEPROM rewritable memory to implement a large on-chip memory of 2-Kbit density alongside RFID circuitry. The SRi2K enables seamless access to transport modes such as bus, train, tram, taxi or cycle hire, for example, with a single e-ticket. Due to its flexibility and enhanced features, the SRi2K is also suitable for access control, event ticketing, vending machines and theme park applications. More

Evaluation board showcases ST's solutions for advanced touch-panel interfaces

The STEVAL-ICB003V1 demonstration board demonstrates general-purpose front-panel solutions. It features an STLED316S LED driver, STMPE1208S capacitive touch sensor and an STM8S207K6 microcontroller. The board demonstrates the capabilities of these devices for building advanced and low-cost front panels for home appliances, DVD players, set-top boxes and many more applications. The system design focuses on 3 key areas: standby management for low power consumption, touchkey and rotary encoder inputs, as well as water-level sensing. More

Low VF Schottky rectifiers target switch-mode power supplies

The STPSxxL120 Schottky diodes are designed for single-stage PFC topology used in notebook adaptors (typically >75 W). With a 10% lower forward voltage than the existing 120 V diodes from ST, they provide cost benefit while increasing the overall converter’s efficiency in secondary rectification or as freewheeling diodes. More

Online video demonstrates ST's SMPS interactive design simulator

This 12-minute video presentation shows you how to use ST's switched mode power supply design simulator to select the right products and topologies for your application by simply filling in the high-level I/O specifications. You will then see how to refine the suggested design based on the resources provided: fully annotated schematic, BOM, time domain graph, bode diagram, efficiency variation, and power loss analysis. More