Life.Augmented shows societal uses for microelecronics

Complete ecosystems

ST is unveiling its STM32 Open Development Environment and Open.MEMS ecosystems. The STM32 Open Development Environment is an open, flexible, easy and affordable way to develop innovative devices and applications based on STM32 32-bit ARM Cortex-M MCUs, which enables fast prototyping and quick transformations into final designs. In the ecosystem, the modular STM32 Nucleo development boards are complemented by the STM32Cube free-of-charge tools and embedded software bricks; STM32 Nucleo expansion boards that add functionality such as sensing, connectivity, power and analogue; and a PC-based STM32CubeMX graphical configurator to rapidly configure the STM32 for the target application.

Another open ecosystem is similarly geared to speeding design, especially for wearable and IoT startups. When formally announced, the program will boost time-to-development with quick and easy single-node evaluation licensing and encourage broad use of ST’s MEMS and sensors through the availability of drivers, middleware, and application software, beginning with the popular sensor fusion for 3-axis accelerometer, gyroscope and magnetometer, often utilised in portable and wearable applications.

Connected car

ST will showcase its next-gen processors for car radio and display audio applications. The processors offer unprecedented hardware and software integration, including media decoding, audio routing, sound processing and analogue audio I/Os, as well as an independent secure CAN MCU subsystem. ST will also highlight V2V and V2I connectivity solutions that deliver important information about safety (vehicle proximity, passing, and lane-changing) and convenience (tolls, approaching signals, and interchanges). A recently announced joint co-operation with Autotalks aims to deliver a mass-market-optimised V2X chipset for widespread deployment by 2017. ST will also be showcasing its positioning solutions as well as innovative solutions for car lighting.

Industrial

As the second-ranked player in the industrial market, according to IHS Consumer and Mobile MEMS Market Tracker H1 2014, ST develops solutions that make factories, buildings and many of the machines and appliances in them more power-efficient and autonomous. The broad portfolio encompasses advanced power-conversion solutions, intelligent digital input/outputs, motion-control solutions, STM8 and STM32 MCUs, a full range of motion, audio and environmental sensors, smart-metering, LED-driver solutions, and connectivity products, including power-line communication. In the ST booth at Electronica, the company will preview an innovative series of industry-first, highly integrated motor-control devices in the STSPIN motor-control family. The unique devices combine power, protection, and precision with intelligence to produce superior movement resolution and accuracy with excellent power rating and thermal performance.

ST's portfolio is well structured to deliver solutions that make cities smarter and better connected. With demos emphasising smart street lights that leverage the unique, award-winning (STLux385A won a CES Innovation award in January 2014) STLUX universal digital controller for lighting and power-conversion applications, the SPIRIT1 sub-GHz radio transceiver, and embedded cameras and MEMS microphones, ST will show how it is helping cities save money and protect its citizens.

Home gateway

In empowering home gateways with its outstanding Cannes/STiH3 and Monaco/STiH4 SoCs, ST is paving the way for the large-scale deployment of HEVC solutions, including UHDp60-enabled 4K set-top-boxes that will allow users to enjoy a richer, more immersive Ultra-HD experience by delivering fast, crystal-clear sports action and increased colour fidelity, together with the increased media-content resolution.