STMicroelectronics Introduces Versatile New MCU Series at the Center of ST’s Low-Cost ST7Lite Family

Package choice and new peripherals increase opportunities for lighting, embedded systems and motor control applications

Geneva, January 23,2006 - STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a world leader in 8-bit microcontrollers, today announced availability of a new series of low-cost microcontrollers within the popular ST7Lite family, offering a choice of 16 and 20-pin packages, 2KB or 4KB of Flash memory, and new embedded peripherals to bring added functionality to a range of cost-sensitive applications. The ST7FLit1xB series is an extension of the established ST7Lite1 devices, with the addition of an enhanced 12-bit auto-reload timer, fast analog comparator with 16 internal voltage references, and other features.

The new products will be of particular interest for lighting applications, including fluorescent, high intensity discharge, LED control, and for LCD backlight management. Other uses such as low-end motor control, Transition Mode power factor correction, uninterruptable power supplies (UPS), ovens and induction cookers will benefit from the range of advanced embedded peripherals in these low cost devices, enabling applications to be smaller and costs to be lower.

The 12-bit timer in the new series includes four independent PWM (Pulse Width Modulated) output channels with programmable Dead Time generation, intended for use in half-bridge driving mode in lighting and motor control applications where PWM signals must not be allowed to overlap. The new comparator provides 16 selectable voltage references, and alongside the 10-bit ADC with op-amp, which is available across the ST7Lite family, makes the new series a cost-effective solution for many power applications. Other new features are a 32MHz PLL (Phase Locked Loop) and enhanced one-pulse mode functionality to allow more flexibility in the use of the peripherals.

The ST7FLit1xB devices bridge the central features of the ST7Lite family. 24 variants offer different combinations of 2KB or 4KB of Flash memory, either 128 bytes of data EEPROM or no EEPROM, and a 16-pin or 20-pin SO, DIP or QFN package, allowing the designer to make the optimum choice of MCU to meet the price, performance and size requirements of the application.

Development support is available through a complete set of hardware and software development tools, both from ST and from third parties. Low cost tools such as ST’s Stick Programmer and the ST7FLITE-SK/RAIS development kit from Raisonance enable developers to rapidly and efficiently create, build and debug low-cost MCU-based systems. These tools integrate easily with the ST7 C compilers from Cosmic and Metrowerks, and are complemented by the free ST7 Software Library.

ST’s ST7Lite family is a full range of entry level 8-bit Flash microcontrollers intended for cost-sensitive applications. They provide outstanding flexibility at every stage of the product cycle, from the first prototype to production, ensuring reduced cost of ownership and fast time to market. All the MCUs use the same single-voltage Flash technology and are programmed using the same techniques and tools.

The 20-pin versions of the ST7FLit1xB series are in volume production now, in both DIP and SO packages. US pricing for the series is between $0.87 and $1.14 for quantities of 25,000 pieces.

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 2004, the Company’s net revenues were $8.76 billion and net earnings were $601 million. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com.
Information last updated Jan 2005

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Michael Markowitz

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STMicroelectronics

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