MCU series extensions enhance storage & performance

30th January 2015

Barney Scott

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Adding larger memory densities up to 512KB Flash and 80KB SRAM, as well as richer peripherals for high-speed control and off-chip storage, STMicroelectronics has extended its STM32F3 MCU series for high-performance, low cost applications. The STM32F3 series defines the entry point to ST’s ARM Cortex-M4 microcontroller portfolio.

Running up to 72MHz, the M4 core with DSP and FPU executes deterministic routines such as motor-control loops up to 43% faster with the core-coupled memory (CCM-SRAM)-based ST ‘Routine Booster’. Positioned in the performance spectrum immediately above ST’s STM32F1 Cortex-M3 series, STM32F3 devices are part of the STM32 portfolio that comprises more than 600 devices delivering the advantages of extensive hardware and software commonalities, easy-to-use design tools, and development ecosystem.

Now with up to 512KB Flash memory in the STM32F303 and STM32F302 devices, the F3 series can support even more sophisticated applications. Added features include extra SPI and I²C communication interfaces, and a Flexible Memory Controller (FMC) with 36MHz access on 8/16bit bus for various off-chip storage and LCD modules. There are also up to three 144MHz 16-bit motor-control timers for multi-motor products found in home appliances, power tools, and industrial equipment. In addition, ST’s Motor Ecosystem for STM32, which comprises an SDK (STSW-STM32100) and hardware, provides further support for a faster and easier motor-control development experience.

The enhanced features are added to the already rich peripherals offered for the STM32F3 series. These include 12-bit ADCs, each with 5MS/s performance, true 16-bit Sigma-Delta ADCs, fast comparators (25ns), agile High-Resolution Timers (217ps) with complex-Waveform Builder, and uncommitted Programmable Gain Amplifier. LQFP, BGA or WLCSP options are offered, covering 32 to 144 pins.

These devices can be evaluated on two different hardware boards: NUCLEO-F303RE featuring a 64-pin device for fast prototyping and sampling, and STM32303E-EVAL featuring a 100-pin device for evaluation. The full embedded software package is also provided, covering peripherals drivers as well as libraries and stacks (CubeF3). The associated STM32CubeMX tool simplifies configuration and initialisation to ensure an easy start-up.