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Date:21st May 2012
ST Micro' Vinay answers to Qs related
to replacing 8/16 bit MCU with 32-bit
Vinay Thapliyal, Technical Marketing Manager (Microcontrollers),
ST Microelectronics India answers to questions related to
replacing 8/16 bit MCU with 32-bit.
Q1: What are applications which require higher performance
but without rising the MCU cost?
Vinay: Nowadays, newer applications demand higher
real time performance. This requires MCUs having higher
performance. Below are some of applications which can be
targeted with STM32F0 however it is not limited to them.
Industrial- Home Automation/HVAC/Sensors.
Home Appliances- Motor Control/Power Tools
Consumer Applications- Printers/Gaming/USB/RF Dongle/Remote
control.
The STM32 F0 supports the HDMI Consumer Electronics Communication
(CEC) protocol. Important for devices targeted for consumer
markets, this peripheral enables devices to have smart control
over multiple HDMI lines. For devices needing remote control
capabilities, ST provides a full infrared firmware library.
Q2. How can engineers can redesign their boards faster
by replacing 8/16 bit with STM32F0?
Vinay: While shifting a platform from one controller
to another, hardware needs to be changed .However, thanks
to the high level compilers like C which makes the migration
of platforms very simple.
Cortex M0 has the smallest instruction set in its Cortex
M architecture value chain which is easy to adapt.
Developers can easily migrate designs between different
STM32 MCUs as all STM32 MCUs are upward code-compatible.
Most STM32 devices are also pin-compatible, simplifying
hardware redesign as well. Furthermore, STM32 MCUs are also
peripheral and system function compatible, meaning that
even migrating low-level code is a seamless and transparent
process. Very easily and quickly adaptable due to the use
of same tools and environment.
Q3. Is there any additional interfaces such as LCD
display, wireless interface available from ST or 3rd party
for Discovery Kit?
Vinay: The Discovery Tool Kits have got STM32F0 device
and all pins are available outside. It can easily be interfaced
with LCD or any other supporting peripheral devices.
Q4. Can the engineers buy the chips and kit online?
Vinay: Yes, the Discovery Tool Kits can be bought
online. They are also available at our local channel partners
in India from May end onwards at $7.99 USD.
Author: Srinivasa Reddy N
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