STMicroelectronics Extends and Enhances STM8L Microcontroller Family, Leveraging Ultra Low-Power EnergyLite™ Technology

GENEVA, Sept. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a world-leading supplier of microcontrollers for consumer, medical, and industrial applications, has extended its STM8L EnergyLite™ ultra low-power microcontroller family with new devices offering enhanced features, such as larger program/data memory, high-accuracy time-keeping, a controller for as many as 16 touch-sensitive keys, and support for 128-bit AES encryption.

The three variants of the STM8L family are the STM8L151, the STM8L152, and the STM8L162. Each of the new devices has 64 Kbytes of Flash memory, effectively doubling the maximum program/data memory available to developers using the 8-bit STM8L family. SRAM density is also increased to 4 Kbytes. To these valuable new features, the STM8L152 also adds an enhanced LCD controller that supports larger segments. Aiming to provide increased security, the STM8L162 is the first device in a new line featuring on-chip 128-bit AES encryption.

Common to all the new devices is an enhanced Real-Time Clock (RTC) module offering sub-second accuracy, as well as support for calibration, enabling increased precision in applications requiring time-stamping and accurate synchronization. These applications include utility metering and use within RF networks. The hardware RTC and its associated automatic wake-up unit have combined current consumption below 1 microamp, allowing developers to use power-saving sleep modes to maximum effect.

To meet increased demand for touch sensitive user interfaces in many consumer and professional markets, the new STM8L devices also provide designers with a robust and power-efficient 16-channel touch controller. This provides capacity for 16 individual touch buttons or a combination of up to 10 buttons plus one rotary sensor, equivalent to a dial or knob, and one slider.

About ST's EnergyLite Ultra Low-Power Platform:

The entire STM8L family (and ST's STM32L family using the industry-standard 32-bit ARM® Cortex™-M3 CPU core) is built using ST's EnergyLite ultra-low-power platform. This platform combines a proprietary 130nm ultra-low leakage process with ultra low-power non-volatile memory (EEPROM), and achieves dynamic current consumption as low as 150uA/MHz.

EnergyLite devices implement a voltage regulator capable of maintaining low operating current at low supply voltages, which provides extra flexibility for designers to minimize the overall energy consumption of their applications. Speed and functionality are not compromised, as the full CPU performance is maintained up to the maximum operating frequency at any supply voltage (Vdd) from 1.65V to 3.6V. In addition, integrated analog peripherals are fully functional at supply voltages down to 1.8V. This can help simplify design as well as helping to minimize overall power demand.

The platform also implements multiple power-management modes including a 5.1uA Low-Power Run mode, 3.0uA Low-Power Wait mode, 1.2uA Active Halt with full RTC, and down to 350nA Halt mode. The device can wake from Halt within 4us, enabling frequent use of the lowest-power mode.

Major features of STM8L151/152/162:

• 16Kbyte to 64Kbyte Flash
• Enhanced RTC module
• Enhanced segment-LCD controller (STM8L152)
• Support for 128-bit AES encryption (STM8L162)
• Touch sensing - up to 16-channels

Common STM8L family features:

• Package options from 20-pin QFN/TSSOP to 80-pin LQFP
• Complete pin-out, peripheral and software compatibility between family members
• Motor-control timer
• Fast ADC and 2x12-bit DAC
• Integrated DMA controller

The STM8L15x variants are in full production for Flash densities up to 32 Kbytes, at prices from $0.82* (in quantities of 1000) for the 16-Kbyte STM8L151. The 64-Kbyte STM8L152 and STM8L162 are now sampling to lead customers. Full production is scheduled for Q4 2010 priced from $1.13* (unit price for 1000). Prices for the STM8L family start at $0.57* (unit price for 1000) for the STM8L101 with 4 Kbytes of Flash. Further pricing options are available for larger volumes.

* Resale Price

About STMicroelectronics

STMicroelectronics is a global leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications with innovative semiconductor solutions. ST aims to be the undisputed leader in multimedia convergence and power applications leveraging its vast array of technologies, design expertise and combination of intellectual property portfolio, strategic partnerships and manufacturing strength. In 2009, the Company's net revenues were $8.51 billion. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com. 

SOURCE STMicroelectronics