SINGAPORE, INDIA: STMicroelectronics has gone further to help product designers prove their own ideas quickly and independently, by adding a rich range of features such as touchscreen, built-in audio and an extension connector to its series of self-contained handheld platforms for embedded design.
 
The latest STM32 Primer2 is about the size of a cellphone, and comes with a 128x160-pixel color touchscreen, a joystick/push button, extension connector and pre-loaded sample applications. There is also a built-in USB port, a MicroSD card slot, and other features, such as an accelerometer and an infrared transmitter/receiver, that allow users to quickly add numerous extra capabilities and functions to their applications. All of these components are easy to manage through the built-in software framework, the open-source CircleOS.
 
ST’s STM32 Primer for collaborative embedded development allows users to quickly turn a concept into an attractive-looking demonstrator. This is increasingly important for today’s product innovators, particularly when seeking independent funding.

A range of existing applications and an online community of around 6,000 developers stimulate ideas and creativity. Using the STM32 Primer2, users can present a high-quality prototype, rather than a conventional engineering development board, to create a better first impression with minimal design-start investment.
 
ST first introduced Primer-based development with the ST7 Ultralite Primer with features including a buzzer, light-sensor and music applications. The first STM32 Primer was introduced in late 2007 and offered a new ergonomic design featuring a 128x128-pixel screen. Over 10,000 units have been shipped. Building on this success, the STM32 Primer2 adds extra benefits such as the larger screen with touch sensing and a Lithium-ion battery with features for extended battery life.
 
At the same time as providing a turnkey solution ready to run sample applications, ST’s STM32 Primers come with the Raisonance Ride7 application development software, and the GNU C compiler. This allows embedded designers to use the Primer platform for complete development of complex end products.

All necessary design resources are included, including source code for the pre-loaded applications, as well as software libraries for peripherals such as MEMS position sensors, the touchscreen and embedded audio components of the STM32 Primer2. The STM32 Primer2 also has a 20-pin external connector allowing easy connection of external circuit boards.
 
The STM32 Primer2 enables product developers with diverse skills to access the power of ST’s advanced 32-bit STM32 microcontroller, which is available in three families targeting cost-effective, high performance, or USB-based applications. Available devices have Flash memory ranging from 16KB to 512KB, and all models across all families are pin-compatible for maximum flexibility and easier design upgrades to existing products.

In addition, the STM32 developers can receive support from a dedicated web site (www.stm32circle.com), which has more than 6,000 registered users and provides technical resources, design-sharing opportunities, and discussion forums.
 
The STM32 Primer2 is in production now, and is available from all ST distributors at a recommended price of $49 each.