STM32 MCUs now available in small memory sizes

Leveraging ST’s proprietary ART Accelerator, smart architecture, and advanced 90nm Flash technology boosts the performance of the standard ARM Cortex-M4 core with its floating-point unit and DSP enhancements. As a result, the STM32F446 CPU delivers category-leading performance of 225DMIPS and 608CoreMark at 180MHz executing from embedded Flash.

In addition, advanced new peripherals, as well as MCU features supporting efficient simultaneous communication via multiple interfaces, enable smarter and more interactive industrial, scientific, medical, and IoT applications. The peripherals include a camera interface, seven I²S audio interfaces, a consumer electronics controller for managing multiple HDMI devices, a SPDIF digital audio connection, and a display parallel interface. There is also a USB block with dedicated power rails that enable continuous operation throughout the full core power-supply range down to 1.7V.

To allow seamless system expansion using off-chip memory, the STM32F446 includes a Flexible Memory Controller (FMC) and dual Quad-SPI (QSPI) interface. The 90MHz FMC simplifies control of external SRAM, SDRAM, Flash NOR/NAND, or LCDs with embedded controllers, and supports memory-remap mode for enhanced performance. The dual QSPI can work independently from the FMC, and allows direct or memory-mapped connection to up to two external SPI NOR-Flash memories at single or dual data rate.

Developers on a tight power budget will appreciate the power-saving features inherent in the STM32F446, from its advanced 90nm process technology with dynamic voltage scaling to extensive clock gating and flexible sleep modes that reduce current to 50µA in STOP mode with all SRAM content retained.

Choosing the STM32F446 also connects designers with the extensive STM32 development ecosystem and the vast selection of over 600 pin- and software-compatible MCUs , including the recently announced STM32F7 series, across the spectrum of ARM Cortex-M cores. The development ecosystem comprises the open and easy-to-use STM32Cube software platform, STM32 Nucleo expandable prototype boards, and STM32 Discovery boards, which can be used with popular development environments such as IAR EWARM, Keil MDK-ARM, GCC-based IDEs, or online mbed.

The STM32F446 is sampling now to lead customers. Volume production is scheduled for Q1 2015 in packages from a tiny WLCSP81 measuring just 3.728x3.85mm to a 20x20mm LQFP144, and with 256 or 512KB Flash, all with 128KB SRAM. Budgetary pricing is from $3.75 for the STM32F446RC in 64-pin LQFP64 package with 256KB Flash and 128KB SRAM for orders of 10,000 units.