MICROCONTROLLER SOLUTIONS

Micro is Industry’s First General-Purpose Flash-Equipped ARM9

The STR91X family from STMicroelectronics is the industry’s first series of ARM9-based general-purpose micros with internal Flash memory. The devices combine a 16-/32-bit ARM966ES RISC processor core, dual-bank Flash memory, large SRAM for data or code, and a rich peripheral set.

The 16-/32-bit ARM9 core can perform single-cycle DSP instructions, making the device a natural choice for speech processing, audio algorithms, and low-end imaging applications. With a 96MHz internal clock and burst-mode Flash memory interface, the STR91X can deliver 96MIPS direct from Flash. The device comes equipped with up to 512Kbyte main Flash, 32Kbyte secondary Flash, and up to 96Kbyte of SRAM: all 32-bit wide. Code is binary-compatible with existing ARM7 software.



Thanks to its exceptionally broad range of peripherals, STMicroelectronics anticipates the device being deployed in a diverse range of applications. These include Point-of-Sale terminals, industrial automation, security and surveillance, vending machines, communication gateways, serial protocol conversion, and medical equipment. The device boasts 11 communications interfaces, including a 10/100 Ethernet MAC with DMA and MII port, 2.0B active CAN bus interface and full-speed (12Mbit/s) USB. The line-up is completed by three 16550-style UARTs with IrDA protocol; two fast (400kHz) I²C interfaces; two channels for SPI, SSI or Microwire; and an optional 8-/16-bit EMI bus.

In addition, the STR91xF includes up to 80 general-purpose I/Os, three-phase Induction Motor Controller (IMC), nine programmable DMA channels (one of which is used for the Ethernet interface), and an 8-channel, 10-bit ADC. The GPIOs are 5V tolerant.

A real-time clock, which draws less than 1µA from a battery, provides calendar functions, tamper detection and wake-up; whilst a reset supervisor is provided to monitor voltage supplies and watchdog timer. The device also includes integral brown-out detection.

For power-sensitive applications, the STR91xF features a number of low-power modes, with supply current as little as 55µA. The device is supplied in space-saving 80- (12mm x 12mm) or 120-terminal (14mm x 14mm) LQFP packaging.

Development is eased by the provision of a JTAG interface for debugging, programming of Flash memory and boundary scan, plus an Embedded Trace Module (ETM) interface for real-time instruction tracing.

STMicroelectronics plans to extend the STR91x family with 1MB and 2MB Flash memory versions by early 2007.

Features

• 16-/32-bit 96MHz ARM9E based MCU with single-cycle DSP instructions
• Up-to 512Kbyte dual burst Flash memory, 32-bits wide
• 32KBbyte secondary Flash
• Up to 96Kbytes 32-bit SRAM, optional battery backup
• High-speed (96MHz) memory interface delivers up to 96MIPS direct from Flash
• Nine Programmable DMA channels
• Brown-out monitor
• Sleep mode consumption as low as 55µA
• Vectored Interrupt Controller (VIC)
• 8-channel, 10-bit A/D Converter (ADC)
• 11 communication interfaces
• Up to 80 GPIOs
• 16-bit standard timers (TIM)
• Three-Phase Induction Motor Controller (IMC)
• JTAG Interface with Boundary Scan
• Operating Temperature -40°C to +85°C
• LQFP package

Applications

• Point-of-Sale terminals
• Industrial automation
• Security and surveillance
• Vending machines
• Communication gateways
• Serial protocol conversion
• Medical equipment

For further information, including the STR91xF Datasheet and the MCU Family Brochure, please click here.