STMicroelectronics Flexes MCU Muscle, Launches Standard 32-bit ARM Products

GENEVA, April 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a leader in 8- and 16-bit microcontrollers, announced today its launch of a range of 16-bit/32-bit microcontrollers based on the ARM7(TM) Thumb(R) core family from ARM (LSE: ARM); (Nasdaq: ARMHY).

STMicroelectronics is introducing two new ARM(R) core-based product families. The STR710 series is based on the ARM7TDMI(R) core and includes embedded flash and low pin-count packages. This family of microcontrollers is aimed at customers who want the power and flexibility of a 32-bit microcontroller plus a rich set of on-chip peripherals. These small, highly-integrated MCUs open the door to expanding application capabilities while driving down the total system cost. The STR720 series is based on the ARM720T(TM) core with cache, MMU, and an SDRAM interface. It is intended for applications requiring performance and an open-system memory architecture that easily supports advanced operating systems.

Both families target industrial control applications such as factory automation, point-of-sale and vending machines, and testing equipment, as well as mass-market telecom applications such as bridges and protocol translators.

ST's ARM core-based products offer several key advantages:

• State-of-the-art embedded flash memory with performance up to 48MHz and low latency for deterministic behavior in real-time applications;
• Industrial temperature range (-40 degrees C to +85 degrees C);
• High connectivity using serial interfaces including CAN, USB, SPI, I2C, and UART.

"ST has over four years experience in building ARM core-based products for ASIC and application-specific circuits. Now, we are introducing a standard microcontroller for the mass-market. We have a strong foothold in the market for 8- and 16-bit MCUs, and this new family based on the ARM core will enable us to expand into the 32-bit arena," said Y.U. Lee, General Manager of the Microcontroller Division.

"As technology makes bigger chips more affordable, we see growing interest from designers using 8- and 16-bit micros who want to use 32-bit solutions. With these ARM families, we are well positioned to gain a good share of this market," said Daniel Colonna, Marketing Director of ST's Microcontroller division. "Our strategy is to offer a comprehensive and wide portfolio of ARM core-based devices. These two product families are only the beginning. We will be bringing new devices to market within 8 to 12 months and will expand the portfolio even more in the future with key innovations," said Colonna.

The STR71xF series features:

• ARM7TDMI core with 32-bit and Thumb 16-bit instruction sets, 3-stage pipeline, 32-bit ALU, and extensive debug facilities;
• 16k to 64kbytes SRAM;
• 128kbytes to 256kbytes of Flash memory with fast random access time:
• Up to 48MHz and 0 wait states with acceleration;
• Up to 30MHz and 0 wait states without acceleration, and with no penalty on context switch and branching. This allows deterministic behaviour in real-time applications.
• Up to 10 communication interfaces including I2C, SPI, UART, CAN, and USB, HDLC, MMC, and Smart Card interface;
• 4 Timers, Real Time Clock, and Watchdog Timer;
• 4 low-power modes;
• Embedded regulator allowing a single 3.3V power supply;
• 12-bit ADC;
• Up to 48 I/Os;
• JTAG Debug Interface;
• Industrial temperature range of -40 degrees C to +85 degrees C;
• A small, low pin-count TQFP64 package without compromising feature availability, or a TQFP144 package with external memory support.

The STR72x series features:

• High-performance 66MHz ARM720T core with 16/32-bit RISC architecture, cache, 32-bit ALU, and Memory Management Unit (MMU);
• 16kbytes high-speed internal SRAM;
• SDRAM interface and External Memory Interface (EMI);
• 6 communication interfaces including SPI, UART, CAN, and USB;
• 4 low-power modes;
• 14-bit ADC;
• Up to 35 I/Os;
• JTAG Debug Interface and ETM trace;.
• Industrial temperature range of -40 degrees C to +85 degrees C;
• PQFP208 package or larger BGA package with ETM support.

Tools and Support

Through ST's unique partnership with ARM, ST is able to provide a low-cost RealView(R) Developer Kit product specifically for the STR7xx series, based on the popular ARM RealView Developer Suite(TM) software and hardware solution. Being an ARM-compatible microcontroller, the STR7xx series is also supported by efficient tools and development support environments provided by a range of traditional 32-bit tool providers including ARM, GreenHills, IAR, Hitex, and Ashling.

Pricing and Availability

STMicroelectronics is sampling the two product families now. Volume production is planned for the fourth quarter of 2004.
The highest capacity STR710Z2 flash product with 256kbyte Flash/64kbyte SRAM in TQFP144 in 10,000 units is offered for $7.80.
The STR720RB product in PQFP208 package in 10,000 units is offered for $7.70.

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 2003, the Company's net revenues were $7.24 billion and net earnings were $253 million. Further information on ST can be found at http://www.st.com.