STMicroelectronics Adds New High-Density Flash to Extended Temperature Range 16-bit Microcontroller Family

Up to 832-kbytes Flash Memory and 68-kbytes of RAM enables a single-chip MCU approach to high-performance, real-time industrial applications

Geneva, July 13,2006 - STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM) today announced four new advanced 16-bit microcontrollers at the top of the industry-standard ST10 family (ST10F27x). The new MCUs (microcontrollers) offer up to 832-kbytes of embedded Flash memory and up to 68-kbytes of RAM, plus other enhancements, while maintaining upward hardware and software compatibility with earlier devices, such as the widely used ST10F168 and ST10F269. The family is one of the few product ranges to combine embedded Flash and the -40 to +125 degrees C temperature range.

The new ST10F271, ST10F272, ST10F273 and ST10F276 provide a range of Flash memory densities from 128- to 832-kbytes, enabling ST10/C16x users to choose the optimum configuration for their application, and offering the possibility of reducing costs with a single-chip design where external Flash devices might previously have been required. Total linear address space for code and data is 16 Mbytes. ST has now delivered more than 100 million chips based on the ST10 core

The ST10 family is based on an advanced industry-standard 16-bit CPU, supported by both ST (ST10) and Infineon (C16x and XC16x), providing existing users with an easy upgrade path to the new increased Flash devices while recognizing and building on their earlier investment. The CPU, with a clock speed of up to 64MHz, offers excellent real-time features – with single cycle context switching and an interrupt controller with 16 priorities and 56 sources – making it ideal for demanding real-time applications. The DSP-MAC (multiply/accumulate) accelerator provides powerful DSP functions with fast and easy implementation of custom algorithms, and is supported by a comprehensive mathematical library.

The new devices are particularly suited to industrial applications, including motor control, vector drives and inverters, power converters, positioning systems, lift control, factory automation, circuit breakers and electric vehicles, where high-performance, combined with excellent real-time capabilities, are essential. ST10 is also popular in medical applications such as endoscopes and breathing aids.

The requirements of industrial control systems are supported by the high-quality embedded Flash memory, guaranteed for 100,000 Program/Erase cycles and specified for 20-year data retention, which is produced in ST’s latest 0.18µm process technology for longer device lifetime and optimized cost; by operation over the -40 to +125 degrees C temperature range; and by operation of the devices on a single 5V power supply, with 5V I/O levels – internally an on-chip 1.8V voltage regulator supplies the CPU core and logic. Memory protection guards against software piracy.

The already rich set of peripherals of the earlier ST10F269, is further enhanced in the new devices with an I2C interface, improved real-time clock (RTC) with a 32kHz on-chip oscillator, and an increase from 16 to 24 channels in the number of A/D converter inputs. The strong combination of multiple Input Capture and Compare (CAPCOM), 4-channel PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) unit, 10-bit ADC, Peripheral Event Controller (PEC), digital I/Os and dual CAN 2.0B interfaces are a perfect fit for industrial applications such as inverter control.

All the new MCUs are produced in both the LQFP144 20x20mm package and the PQFP144 28x28mm package, and are supported by mature development tools from multiple sources. The ST10F273 and ST10F276 are in volume production now, while the ST10F271 and ST10F272 are sampling now with volume production planned for Q3 2006. The ST10F27x family is also available and qualified for automotive applications with specific automotive part numbers.

Prices for the LQFP144 devices range from $9.30 (ST10F271, 128KB Flash) to $14.85 (ST10F276, 832KB Flash) in quantities of 10,000; PQFP144 devices are priced at $9.85 (ST10F271) to $15.63 (ST10F276), also in quantities of 10,000.

Click here for the high-resolution photo: www.st.com/stonline/stappl/publish/stwebresources/ST10F27x_p2040shigh.jpeg

About STMicroelectronics
STMicroelectronics is a global leader in developing and delivering semiconductor solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics applications. An unrivalled combination of silicon and system expertise, manufacturing strength, Intellectual Property (IP) portfolio and strategic partners positions the Company at the forefront of System-on-Chip (SoC) technology and its products play a key role in enabling today’s convergence markets. The Company’s shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on Euronext Paris and on the Milan Stock Exchange. In 2005, the Company’s net revenues were $8.88 billion and net earnings were $266 million. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com.

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