STMicroelectronics, a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, and a leader in ARM® Cortex®-M processor based microcontrollers, is further broadening the accessibility and flexibility of its STM32 family by introducing affordable and easily extensible prototyping boards for all STM32 lines.
The new STM32 Nucleo boards are mbed1-enabled, and support Arduino2 connectivity while also providing ST Morpho3 extension headers that allow access to all of the microcontroller's on-chip peripherals. As an mbed-enabled board, developers can make use of the mbed open source software platform, online tools and collaboration infrastructure at mbed.org. The board's Arduino headers accept shields from the extensive Arduino ecosystem, allowing developers to add specialized functionality quickly and easily. ST will also offer its own dedicated shields supporting functions such as Bluetooth® LE or Wi-Fi® connectivity, GPS, audio recording leveraging the Company's MEMS microphone expertise, proximity sensing, and wireless control.
Full STM32 Nucleo support for the STM32 family allows agile development with fine-tuning of both hardware and software on-the-fly at each prototyping stage. Customers' investment in application shields is also protected, as any shield can be re-used with any STM32 Nucleo board and across various projects.
"STM32 Nucleo is the ideal platform for today's embedded developers because it delivers an unrivaled combination of affordability, ease of use, flexibility, connectivity, and compatibility with popular tools and resources," said Michel Buffa, General Manager, Microcontroller Division, STMicroelectronics. "STM32 Nucleo also provides extra flexibility for developers to re-target designs and re-use hardware and software IP across multiple projects, leveraging the diversity and scalability of the STM32 family."
ARM's Simon Ford, director of IoT platforms added: "The mbed-enabled STM32 Nucleo hardware gives ST's customers access to the extensive mbed ecosystem of software, tools and community, supporting development of a new wave of intelligent electronic products."
The first four STM32 Nucleo boards, supporting the STM32 F1, L1, F4, and F0 Value lines, will break cover at Embedded Word 2014 in Nuremberg, February 25-27, where 2,200 STM32 Nucleo boards will be given away to visitors that have registered at ST's website. Further introductions will add support for the STM32 F3, L0, and F0 lines in Q2 2014.
The STM32 Nucleo-F030R8, STM32 Nucleo-F103RB, STM32 Nucleo-F401RE and STM32 Nucleo-L152RE are available immediately, priced from $10.32 per unit. The STM32 Nucleo-F072RB, STM32 Nucleo-F302R8, STM32 Nucleo-F334R8, and STM32 Nucleo-L053R8 boards will be introduced during Q2 2014.
1 A collaborative industry project, ARM mbed(TM) delivers free tools and fundamental open-source hardware and software building blocks for the rapid development of innovative ARM-based devices.
2 Arduino open-source electronics prototyping platform contains microcontroller boards featuring standardized pin headers for connecting special-function boards (shields). A wide range of shields are available from Arduino and third-party developers.
3 ST-developed extension headers allowing off-board connections
Source: http://www.st.com