STMicroelectronics launches STM32 microcontrollers

NEW DELHI, INDIA: STMicroelectronics, a semiconductor serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, has announced a new range of 32-bit general-purpose microcontrollers that will extend battery life in a range of consumer, health, and industrial applications.

The new STM32L0 ultra-low-power series features a 32MHz ARM Cortex M0+ processor core, a 12-bit analog-to-digital Converter (ADC) that sets a new standard for low power consumption, and a USB FS 2.0 crystal-less solution.

With the ADC consuming just 40µA at a conversion speed of 100ksps, rising to just 200µA at 1.14Msps, in combination with the power efficiency of both the processor core and the ultra-low-power peripherals, applications such as fitness trackers and domestic smoke detectors powered by non-rechargeable batteries will require less frequent replacements, saving both end-user costs and the environmental burden of spent batteries.

A second benefit is that manufacturers will often be able to design equipment that uses smaller batteries, reducing the size and cost of products such as glucose meters and the growing range of portable health and fitness products.

The new devices are fabricated in ST's proprietary CMOS technology that offers both embedded EEPROM, power consumption over the 25°C - 125°C temperature range. This makes the STM32L0 microcontrollers particularly suitable for industrial sensor applications relying on batteries or energy harvesting.

Michel Buffa, general manager, microcontroller division, STMicroelectronics, said: "The STM32L0 series is the latest fruit of ST's constant quest to minimize power consumption in all electronic applications. This new standard-bearer enables customers to design more competitive products that will both bring immediate cost and convenience benefits to end-users and reduce worldwide consumption of disposable batteries."

The STM32L0 series is offered in three lines: Access line, USB line, and USB/LCD line. Common features of all of the new devices include power consumption in several modes including 139 µA/MHz 32MHz, 87 µA/MHz using an optimized mode, and 400nA in Stop mode with full RAM retention and a 3.5µs wake-up time.

The series also features up to 64KB of flash memory, up to 8KB of SRAM, and 2KB of embedded true EEPROM. A built-in hardware oversampling capability also enables 16-bit ADC resolution. STM32L0 devices with integrated USB FS 2.0 interface support battery charger detection and link power management. Crystal-less operation of the USB is enabled via a built-in 48 MHz oscillator.

All the lines offer built- in hardware engine encryption (AES) as an option. As part of ST's extensive STM32 family, ARM-based microcontrollers, the STM32L0 devices benefit from the comprehensive STM32 development ecosystem.

Moreover, the new devices are  compatible with STM32L1 or any other STM32 devices, enabling customers to upgrade designs to take advantage of the new power-saving opportunities.

Offered in UQFN32 (5x5mm), LQFP32 (7x7mm), LQFP48 (7x7mm), LQFP64 (10x10mm), and BGA64 (5x5mm) packages, the new devices are now available for sampling from US $0.85 (1,000 unit quantities), with volume production in Q2 2014.