Broad Range of Low-Cost, Third-Party Starter Kits for STM32 Microcontroller Available from STMicroelectronics

The simultaneous introduction of this complete line of products, with the STM32 now widely available from distributors, gives developers the freedom to choose the solution that best suits their needs. All the kits are based on proven tool solutions that are well known to application developers working with ARM core-based devices worldwide.

The Hitex starter kit (ST order code STM3210B-SK/HIT) is based on the HiTOP5 integrated development environment, offering a full range of project management, source-code editing and debugging features through an intuitive graphical interface. The included Tasking VX C/C++ compiler has no code-size limitation when used with the kit hardware. The kit includes a USB stick with STM32F103B and integrated debugging/programming capability, an extension I/O board with peripheral evaluation features, and the DashBoard GUI for MCU performance monitoring. The kit has a recommended resale price of $109.

IAR’s KickStart kit (ST order code STM3210B-SK/IAR) is based on the IAR Embedded Workbench for ARM (EWARM) development environment, running on an STM32F103B KickStart development board. It includes the IAR C/C++ compiler for up to 32 Kbytes of code, the J-Link in-circuit debugger/programmer (USB/JTAG), a built-in Flash loader, and sample projects for all of the STM32 device peripherals. The kit has a recommended resale price of $239.

The Keil starter kit (ST order code STM3210B-SK/KEIL) features the Keil RealView Microcontroller Development Kit software, including the µVision3 integrated development environment for application programming and debugging, and the ARM RealView C/C++ Compilation Tools for up to 16 Kbytes of code, plus a full-featured STM32F103B-based evaluation board, with the ULINK in-circuit (USB/JTAG) debugger/programmer. The kit has a recommended resale price of $189.

The Raisonance REva starter kit (ST order code STM3210B-SK/RAIS), based on the RIDE development environment for code up to 32 Kbytes, offers application debugging and seamless control of the included GNU C/C++ compiler through an intuitive graphical interface. The kit hardware has a modular design based on the USB-powered REva universal evaluation motherboard with embedded RLink in-circuit debugger/programmer (USB/JTAG), and comes with an STM32F103B daughterboard with device-specific evaluation features. The kit has a recommended resale price of $209.

All of the kits – which are available now from ST sales offices and distributors worldwide – contain everything required to enable users to quickly and easily evaluate the new MCU’s features, and to start development at very low cost. They include many ready-to-run code examples to demonstrate the device peripherals, with source files that can be adapted for users’ applications. ST was the first leading MCU supplier to introduce a family based on the Cortex-M3, and this starter kit portfolio offers the widest choice of tools, at the lowest cost, for users intending to develop applications for this core.

About STMicroelectronics

STMicroelectronics is a global leader in developing and delivering semiconductor solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics applications. An unrivalled combination of silicon and system expertise, manufacturing strength, Intellectual Property (IP) portfolio and strategic partners positions the Company at the forefront of System-on-Chip (SoC) technology and its products play a key role in enabling today's convergence markets. The Company's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on Euronext Paris and on the Milan Stock Exchange. In 2006, the Company's net revenues were $9.85 billion and net earnings were $782 million. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com.