Automotive Microcontroller Provides Enhanced CAN Message Filtering and Dual UART Interfaces

Low power consumption ST72F561 with 60 kbytes of Flash memory and advanced low-power modes enables cost-effective solutions across a broad range of automotive, industrial, and consumer applications

GENEVA, Nov. 24 -- STMicroelectronics today confirmed its position as one of the world's largest suppliers of silicon devices for automotive, industrial, and consumer applications with volume production of the ST72F561 8-bit microcontroller, which integrates CAN (Controller Area Network) and LIN (Local Interconnect Network) bus interfaces, plus 60 kbytes of Flash memory. In its TQFP32 7x7mm package, it is thought to be the smallest MCU (Microcontroller) in the market to offer a CAN bus and two SCI (Serial Communications Interface) interfaces.

The ST72F561 is the lead product in a family of car networking devices addressing CAN and LIN bus applications. It addresses a broad range of automotive body applications -- including the door module, window lift, dashboard, seat modules, sun roof, climate control, hands-free mobile phone, and exhaust-gas recycling control. In addition, its low cost, low power requirement, and flexible package options make it ideal for many industrial and consumer applications needing CAN or UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter) communication.

Development support is provided by third-party high-end emulators from Hitex and iSystem, and by ST's cost-effective new low-end emulator -- the DVP3 Development Kit -- which is competitively priced at approximately $1000. An inDART Starter Kit for the device is available from SofTec, and the introduction of a network prototyping kit from Phytec, with ready-to-use software examples and driver, is planned for the end of 2004. ST's programming board for the ST72F561 is already available.

For automotive applications, car makers can draw on existing CAN software packages; state-of-the-art LIN software is in preparation now. All applications and customers can benefit from software in the comprehensive and well-established CAN library, which can significantly reduce coding time and development costs.

The MCU family is produced in 60-kbyte and 32-kbyte Flash memory variants; 60k, 48k, and 32-kbyte ROM versions will also be available shortly. All feature a powerful CAN cell fully supporting 29-bit identifiers, with enhanced message filtering, to reduce software overhead and CPU load even in complex CAN networks, and to provide higher-than-normal network performance. The Window Watchdog provides more robust system monitoring than a traditional simple watchdog module. Two LINSCI interfaces, with built-in LIN protocol frame break support, provide LIN communication with reduced CPU load compared to a UART-based solution. LIN (Local Interconnect Network) is a Master/Slave-configured bus typically used for in-vehicle communication with intelligent 12V sensors and actuators; the ST72F561 can perform as either a LIN Master or Slave.

The ST72F561 uses an industry-standard 8-bit core with an enhanced instruction set, and is especially suited to applications that can benefit from its low power consumption and choice of package options to achieve optimum system cost. Power consumption in Standby mode is very low -- typically less than 1 microamp -- and is less than 50 microamps when using its associated Auto Wake-Up feature. The range of packages for the device includes TQFP64, TQFP44, and the 7x7mm TQFP32.

The Flash MCU is available in volume now, priced at $3.75 each, in quantities of 25k, in the TQFP64 package with 60 kbytes of program memory; volume production of the 60-kbyte ROM version is planned for Q2 2005.

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 2003, the Company's net revenues were $7.24 billion and net earnings were $253 million. Further information on ST can be found at http://www.st.com/.