Sensor-fusion MCU kit from STMicroelectronics

The folks at STMicroelectronics have released an innovative easy-access development platform for projects based on their new high-performance STM32 F3 microcontrollers, which are now starting to enter volume production.

The new development platform, the STM32 F3 Discovery Kit, features built-in MEMS sensors – gyroscope and e-compass⁽¹⁾ – with 9 degrees of freedom (DOF)⁽²⁾, enabling competitively priced sensor-fusion applications such as Attitude Heading Reference Systems (AHRS)⁽³⁾ by leveraging the advanced signal processing and arithmetic capabilities of the new microcontroller family. Sensor fusion and powerful computational capabilities enable designers to realize advanced 3D motion-sensing systems in applications such as mobile gaming, augmented reality, optical image stabilization, portable navigation, robotics and industrial automated systems.


“ST’s STM32 F3 microcontroller family and MEMS sensors are powerful products that, when combined, allow our customers to deliver competitively priced new designs offering outstanding performance and features,” said Michel Buffa, General Manager of ST’s Microcontroller Division. “With our leading-edge technologies, developers will be able to pack advanced sensing and embedded processing capabilities into devices as small as a wristwatch.”

The STM32 F3 Discovery Kit contains everything engineers need to start all types of projects using the STM32 F3 microcontroller. The kit includes a ready-to-use prototype board containing an STM32F303 microcontroller and associated chips, as well as indicator LEDs, push-button controls, I/O pin headers, and a USB connection for the host PC. All of the microcontroller pins are brought out to accessible points, which aids testing and debugging. The MEMS devices provided on the board are the L3GD20 3-axis digital gyroscope and LSM303DLHC 6-axis geomagnetic module⁽²⁾  from ST’s large MEMS portfolio of sensors and iNEMO inertial modules. The STM32 F3 Discovery Kit is compatible with STM32 software-development environments from leading third-party vendors, including Altium, Atollic, IAR and Keil.

All STM32 F3 devices announced in June 2012 are starting to enter full production in Q3, including the STM32F30x series as well as the STM32F37x.

The STM32F30x microcontrollers combine the high computational resources of the ARM Cortex-M4 processor, which has a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) and Floating-Point Unit (FPU), with advanced peripherals. This is an ideal processor for use with MEMS sensors in high-performance sensor-fusion applications, providing the ability to perform floating-point matrix operations for efficient execution of 3D orientation software such as AHRS algorithms. Designers can take advantage of this efficiency to implement power-saving strategies or to optimize the execution time of the application.

The peripherals available in STM32F30x devices include four 12-bit 5Msps Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs)--the fastest ADC performance of any ARM Cortex-M microcontroller. Also included on-chip are seven 50ns fast comparators, four Programmable-Gain Amplifiers (PGAs) with 1% accuracy, two 12-bit Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs), and two advanced timers that can be used to control two motors simultaneously or can be used in applications such as digital power supplies, data servers, or solar micro-inverters.

The STM32F37x series delivers a unique blend of peripherals including the first 16-bit Sigma-Delta ADC integrated in an ST microcontroller. Devices in the series feature up to three of these ADCs, providing the basis of a single-chip solution to replace a discrete general-purpose processor and separate ADC for high-precision sensing applications.

In addition to the STM3 F3 Discovery Kit, two different evaluation boards are available that unleash full-feature capabilities of STM32F303 and STM32F373 with a complete ecosystem supporting the new STM32 F3 series. ST and its distribution partners will also begin offering seminars globally to demonstrate the ease of getting started with the STM32 F3.

The STM32F3 Discovery Kit is available in the coming weeks, at the recommended resale price of $10.90 (order code: STM32F3DISCOVERY). Prices for the STM32F30x series range from $2.54 to $3.86. The STM32F37x starts from $2.24 up to $3.69. All prices are for orders over 1,000 pieces. Other pricing options for higher quantities are available on request.

⁽¹⁾ST’s “e-compass” or “geomagnetic module” integrates, in a single package, a 3-axis digital magnetometer with a 3-axis digital accelerometer used for tilt compensation.
⁽²⁾9 degrees of freedom are calculated considering 3 axes of linear motion plus 3 axes of angular motion plus 3 axes of magnetic motion.
⁽³⁾AHRS systems provide attitude and heading information, using gyroscope, magnetometer and accelerometer measurements for calculating 3D orientation with a dedicated algorithm.

---

If you found this article to be interest, visit Microcontroller / MCU Designline where – in addition to my Max's Cool Beans blogs on all sorts of "stuff" – you will find the latest and greatest design, technology, product, and news articles with regard to all aspects of designing and using microcontrollers.

Also, you can obtain a highlights update delivered directly to your inbox by signing up for my weekly newsletter – just Click Here to request this newsletter using the Manage Newsletters tab (if you aren't already a member you'll be asked to register, but it's free and painless so don't let that stop you [grin]).

Last but certainly not least, make sure you check out all of the discussions and other information resources at All Programmable Planet. For example, in addition to blogs by yours truly, microcontroller expert Duane Benson is learning how to use FPGAs to augment (sometimes replace) the MCUs in his robot (and other) projects.