STMicroelectronics has extended its STR7 range of 32-bit microcontrollers based on the ARM7TDMI-S core with the introduction of the STR750F family. The first general-purpose ARM7 Flash microcontrollers to support full-spec operation at both 3.3V and 5V, the new family delivers 54 MIPS (at 60MHz) performance while providing low power modes down to 12μA in STOP or 10μA in STANDBY modes. The peripheral set of the STR7 range is further enhanced in the STR750 family by a backup clock that starts operating if the main clock fails; a fast startup capability that allows the device to begin executing code in 55μs instead of the 1ms typically required for devices using a quartz crystal; an Automatic Wake Up (AWU) capability that removes the need for external signals or components to wake up from low power STOP or STANDBY modes; and three 16-bit timers and a PWM timer that includes 3-phase motor control features. Serial communications include up to three high-speed (2Mb/s) UARTs with support for the LIN protocol, and a serial memory interface for glueless connection to an external serial Flash memory. Moreover, the STR750 family also includes mechanisms to allow bit manipulation and masks to protect I/O pins.
The initial family comprises some 30 different derivatives, with from 64K up to 256KB of Flash plus an additional 16K bank of Read-While-Write Flash for EEPROM emulation. The embedded Flash memory offers data retention guaranteed up to 20 years at 85°C. Devices include up to eight communication peripherals including USB and CAN, as well as a 4-channel DMA controller and a 10-bit ADC. Some members of the family are specified over an extended temperature range of -40°C to +105°C.
The STR750F family is fully supported with standard and USB libraries available with low-level drivers for all the peripherals, and an evaluation board that is delivered with demos for USB, SMI, timers, and an ADC, a JTAG connector, a motor-control connector, and a power supply. Third party starter kits are also available from IAR, Raisonance, Hitex, and Keil. The kits contain a JTAG emulator, target board, and C compiler. The devices, which are available in sample quantities today with volume production imminent, are available in TQFP64 /BGA64 and TQFP100/BGA100 packages. Prices (10K units) range from $3.6 for the STR755FR0T6 (64K Flash, 64-pin package) to $6.5 for the STR750FV2T6 (256K Flash, 100 pins, USB, CAN).
