Creator : STMicroelectronics
ST is asserting right now the launch of STM32C071s with 128 KB of flash and a USB controller, thus additional cementing our new collection as an entry-level MCU and gateway to 32-bit architectures. We’re additionally divulging a brand new roadmap with gadgets housing as much as 256 KB of flash by the top of subsequent yr and can replace this weblog submit after they change into out there. Within the meantime, samples of the STM32C071 ought to arrive by mid-2024 however are publicly revealed right now to assist integrators plan forward. We’re additionally asserting new worth drops with the prevailing STM32COs that includes 32 KB of flash dipping beneath $0.24 for 10,000 items, making the collection much more accessible.
Regardless of launching the STM32C0 only some months in the past, in January 2023, the reception has been so optimistic that opponents have adopted related methods, some even calling out STM32s of their documentation. In a nutshell, the brand new price-per-performance ratio of the STM32C0s disrupted the market by enabling integrators to not solely contemplate 32-bit MCUs but in addition envision roadmaps and improve paths beforehand unattainable. Therefore, as we shut 2023, we needed the STM32C0 to proceed disrupting markets by additional decreasing costs and growing reminiscence so extra engineers can leap on the bandwagon.
What’s new?
STM32C071
The STM32C071 is probably the most spectacular improve because it quadruples the reminiscence configuration because of 128 KB of flash and 24 KB of RAM. Put merely, merchandise that needed to undertake considerably costlier gadgets due to reminiscence constraints can now exist in entry-level markets, thus making them vastly extra aggressive. And since we anticipate quite a lot of these programs to make use of USB to ship energy, we added a crystal-less USB controller. Certainly, engineers can use the inner clock, thus assuaging the necessity for an exterior crystal, which will increase the invoice of supplies and the PCB structure complexity.
Consequently, the STM32C071 is extremely symbolic as a result of it brings extra functionalities from the STM32G0 all the way down to the STM32C0. Apart from the USB controller, there’s a further SPI and I2C interface and a 32-bit timer. In spite of everything, it’s been our technique all alongside: make extra options accessible to all programs. The STM32C071 is, due to this fact, a brand new roadmap enabler because it turns into a bridge between entry-level MCUs and the STM32G0 that groups would use to offer a extra pricey system to their prospects that includes decrease energy consumption and extra options. That’s why we additionally ensured pin-out compatibility between the STM32C071 and the STM32G0.
An age-old problem: creating entry-level purposes
The STM32C0
The STM32C0 is a brand new microcontroller for entry-level purposes with a worth that may match payments of supplies that beforehand required cheap 8-bit MCUs. Therefore, the system will increase the accessibility of the STM32 household of gadgets whereas providing important computational throughput because of a Cortex-M0+ working at 48 MHz and scoring 114 factors in CoreMark. Relying on the configuration, the STM32C0 collection can even oscillate between 16 KB of Flash and 6 KB of RAM to 128 KB of Flash and 24 KB of RAM. ST additionally gives a variety of packages to make sure PCBs that depend on a small 8-bit microcontroller retain their kind issue.
The entry-level problem
8-bit microcontrollers proceed to play an thrilling function within the trade, and ST stays devoted to its STM8 collection. Some firms want the EEPROM out there in our 8-bit MCUs, whereas others rely on the AEC-Q10x automotive qualification of a few of our gadgets. Nonetheless, in lots of situations, designers select an 8-bit MCU solely due to pricing considerations. Their purposes work effectively sufficient with 8-bit registers, that means their major focus is the invoice of supplies. The issue is that selecting an 8-bit structure can have pricey long-term penalties.
One of many challenges when engaged on an entry-level utility is the restricted upgradability. Whereas prioritizing a low BoM, many profitable tasks typically want extra reminiscence, computational throughput, pins, and so on. Nonetheless, 8-bit architectures have stricter restrictions and thus present far fewer improve potentialities. The inherent limitations on 8-bit MCUs can also imply that an organization has to qualify a number of gadgets as a substitute of getting one element that may match quite a few purposes. Lastly, because the trade inevitably marches towards 32-bit programs, utilizing an 8-bit system might stop builders from utilizing software program stacks or present codes that might vastly shorten their time to market.
A brand new resolution: a 32-bit system as an alternative choice to an 8-bit MCU
How is ST serving to builders transition to 32-bit?
ST understands that regardless of all the advantages of a 32-bit structure, monetary and bodily constraints might drive some groups to make use of an 8-bit different. That’s why the STM32C0 has packages and a worth rivaling 8-bit MCUs. Put merely, it opens engineers to new markets by enabling them to transition with out blowing up their BoM or present designs. Given ST’s assure of reliability, our system’s capacity to assist working temperatures of as much as 125ºC, and plenty of peripherals, the STM32C0 is probably the most inexpensive MCU right now.
Moreover, ST ensured that transitioning from an 8-bit structure to a 32-bit one can be as environment friendly and simple as doable. For instance, we printed an utility observe with pointers for shifting from an STM328L or STM328S to an STM32C0. It delves into peripheral migration and even exhibits that shifting to a 32-bit structure typically means a rise in code dimension of solely 6% to fifteen% most often. ST additionally organized a webinar out there on demand, and the STM32 improvement surroundings can enormously optimize operations. Instruments like STM32CubeMX and STM32CubeIDE, debug software program like STM32CubeProgrammer, or STM32Cube growth packages optimize workflows and even assist reuse code or modules.
How is the STM32C0 facilitating the transition?
The STM32C0 wasn’t solely designed to encourage engineers to transition from 8-bit programs however to breed extra succesful entry-level purposes. Consequently, we labored on enhancing the characteristic density. The STM32C0 thus has one of many smallest packages for a general-purpose MCU because of its 3 mm x 3 mm 20-pin QFN housing, which is simply doable as a result of the die is so tiny. ST additionally presents an 8-pin SO8N model or a very skinny WLCSP12 bundle. Equally, the STM32C0 has energy consumption modes considerably decrease than different 8-bit gadgets, which suggests it’s doable to create extra environment friendly designs.
How is the STM32C0 a stepping stone to extra highly effective programs?
Essentially the most astute readers can have acknowledged that the brand new STM32C0 takes important cues from the STM32G0, which makes use of the identical Cortex core. Consequently, ST ensured builders might rapidly transfer from the STM32C0 to the STM32G0. For example, the brand new MCU has the identical single Vdd and Vss energy provide line discovered on the STM32G0, simplifying PCB designs and decreasing prices. The STM32C0 additionally features a extremely correct inside high-speed RC oscillator at 48 MHz. Consequently, designers don’t want so as to add an exterior one, which lowers the general BoM. The 2 gadgets additionally share the same ADC and timers, and a constant pinout configuration facilitates the transfer from one to the opposite.
First Steps
One of the best ways to start out experimenting with the STM32C0 is to get one of many improvement boards launched final January. The NUCLEO-C031C6 is a standard Nucleo-64 system with an Arduino Uno V3 connector to permit customers to stack growth playing cards. The STM32C0316-DK makes use of the identical STM32C031 system however in a bundle that comes with the STLINK-V3MINIE, the primary STLINK probe to make use of a USB-C port. The board additionally includes a DIP28 connector suitable with the ATMEGA328 8-bit microcontroller. Curiously, the board can even welcome STM32G0 gadgets. It thus serves as a transition device emigrate to 32-bit purposes and extra simply experiment with a extra highly effective MCU.
Lastly, the STM32C0116-DK is a smaller platform that makes use of the STM32C011 in a DIL20 module so groups can take away and share the module from one board to the following. ST is, due to this fact, providing a brand new method to prototyping to make workflows extra sensible by creating a transportable and interchangeable resolution.
Learn the total article at https://weblog.st.com/stm32c0/
