New STR91xFA ARM9 from STMicroelectronics With Ethernet Boasts Huge 2.1Mbytes of Flash

STMicroelectronics has raised the bar on the maximum amount of Flash on an ARM microcontroller - or any microcontroller - by introducing two new STR91xFA ARM9 microcontrollers. Based on the ARM966E-S core, the new microcontrollers include 1.1 Mbyte and 2.1 Mbyte of on-chip Flash.

STMicroelectronics STR910F Block Diagram

STMicroelectronics is targeting applications that include networked embeddable systems, such as web servers, printer controllers, Point-of-Sale terminals and peripherals, factory-automation equipment, serial-protocol gateways, security and surveillance equipment and building-automation systems.

The STMicroelectronics STR91xFA is a multi-chip device. The core and peripherals are fabbed at 0.18µ, while the Flash is on a separate die fabbed in 0.13µ Flash technology.

Flash runs at the full 96MHz and utilizes a burst mode interface. During sequential requests, the flash feeds the core with a new 32-bit word every clock cycle. In addition, a hefty 15-entry branch cache is used for non-sequential execution to predict multiple branch possibilities, helping to keep execution single-cycle.

The STR91xFAx46 has 1.1 Mbyte of Flash and 64 Kbyte of RAM.
The STR91xFAx47 has 2.1 Mbyte of Flash and 96 Kbyte of RAM.

Features
The STMicroelectronics STR910F family is a full-featured family of devices. Notable features of these devices include:

• 96 MHz ARM9 Harvard Architecture Core
• Multiple Voltage Options:
  - Core runs at 1.8V
  - Analog supply is 3.0-3.3V
  - Optional VBAT of 2.5-3.6V for SRAM and RTC
• Code is executed out of Flash at full 96 MHz
• Dual-Bank Burst-Mode Flash
  - Allows simultaneous program execution & In-Circuit Programming
  - Allows EEPROM emulation in Flash
• ARM966E-S core with single-cycle DSP instructions
• Many Power and Clock Management options
• 8 DMA channels
• 33 levels of vectored interrupts
• Draws 27mA at 72MHz
• Draws only 2µA in standby
• Real Time Clock (RTC) draws less than 1 µA
• 4 16-bit timers
• 8-channel 10-bit DMA with ±2LSB accuracy and 0.7µsec conversion time
• 10/100 10Base-T Ethernet MAC with dedicated DMA
• 2 I²C serial interfaces
• 2 SPI serial interfaces
• 3 UARTs with IrDA support
• USB 2.0 with dedicated DMA
• CAN 2.0

Single cycle DSP instructions accelerate motor control as well as sophisticated crypto code. DSP instructions include 32x16 Multiply ACcumulate (MAC), Saturating Addition/Subtraction, and Counting Leading Zeros.

STMicroelectronics ARM9 STR91xFA Family Roadmap

Development Tools
A free TCP/IP stack is available from STMicroelectronics with a small 12 Kbyte footprint. In addition, compilers/debuggers and development kits are available from Keil, Raisonance, IAR, and Hitex.

Pricing and Availability
The STR91xFA46 and STR91xFA47 are available immediately at prices starting from $6.89 in quantities of 10,000 units per year.

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 2007, the Company's net revenues were $10.0 billion."