News & Updates from STMicroelectronics
January 2010

Auto-tuning S-Touch™ controllers feature 16- and 24-channels

The STMPE16M31 and STMPE24M31 are highly versatile and flexible capacitive single-chip touch sensing controllers. Consuming a mere 50 μA, they integrate up to 24 highly-sensitive and noise tolerant channels with automatic calibration and auto-tuning without external components. Two hardwired engines enable the implementation of a slider/wheel without external MCU. Eight PWM controllers control up to 16 LEDs with brightness control, ramping and blinking capabilities. The controllers are intended for applications such as computer/notebook multimedia bars, portable media players, TVs, or home appliances. More

Sound Terminal™ audio-chip enables clearer-than-crystal sound from home AV products

The STA370BWS is a new member of ST's SoundTerminal™ digital audio amplifiers. The chip employs ST’s leading-edge Full Flexible Amplifier (FFX™) technology to deliver high-quality stereo audio at 10 W and above. The device further improves audio quality by suppressing non-audio signals, such as the carrier waveform that governs the amplifier’s timing, to produce clearer, purer sound throughout the output-power range. The STA370BWS targets various consumer applications, including the latest ultra-thin LED-backlit flat TVs. More

Free Eclipse-based IDE comes to STM32

Atollic's TrueSTUDIO®/STM32 is an IDE for the STM32 that is based on the open-source Eclipse environment. The IDE can be downloaded free of charge and has no code-size or time limits. The IDE works with ST's new ultra-low cost ST-Link USB debug probe for connecting to any STM32 ARM-based microcontroller target. The ST-Link is widely available from distributors for just $21 suggested resale price. This exceptional combination of professional quality software and low-cost hardware makes the STM32 accessible to all. More

650 V MDmesh™ V MOSFET in TO-247 delivers the industry’s lowest on-resistance

With an RDS(on) of 38 mohm at 650 V, the 69 A STW77N65M5 is the latest addition to ST’s family of ultra-efficient high-voltage MDmesh V power MOSFETs. This record-low RDS(on) significantly reduces losses in line-voltage PFC circuits and power supplies. This in turn enables new generations of electronic products offering greater energy savings and superior power density. The MDmesh V devices also achieve low switching losses, thereby enabling an overall efficiency boost across a wide range of applications and operating conditions. More

MEMS device combines linear and angular motion sensing

ST's new LSM320HAY30 integrates a 3-axis digital accelerometer with a 2-axis analog gyroscope in a single package. The device features a user-selectable full-scale acceleration range of ±2g/±4g/±8g and angular rate detection from 30 to 6000 dps along the pitch and yaw axes. Featuring five degrees of freedom (DoF), the new multi-axis inertial module is ideal for high-precision gesture and motion recognition in mobile phones, remote controllers, personal navigation systems and other portable devices. More

Strong counterfeit protection safeguards revenue and reputation for brand owners

Based on ST’s ST23 highly secure microcontrollers, AuKey is a turnkey solution that provides authentication services to the main application processor for it to distinguish between genuine and unwanted parts. This solution helps brand owners to authenticate their products with significantly stronger security than conventional techniques, which are often susceptible to being easily broken or cloned. More

Motor control and touch sensing demonstration board based on STM8S

Designed around an STM8S microcontroller, the STEVAL-IHM026V1 demonstration board implements a 3-phase brushless motor controller using a capacitive touch sensing user interface. The board uses the MCU's built-in peripherals together with ST-provided software libraries for touch sensing (TS) and motor control (MC). As a result, no external hardware is required to detect user touch commands and the MCU's outputs connect directly to the board's 3-phase BLDC motor driver IC. More

TSV6x micropower op-amp family gets two new members

The TSV611 and TSV612 are two new operational amplifiers that operate from 5.5 V down to 1.5 V and with parameters that are guaranteed from -40 °C to +85 °C. They feature a low input offset voltage of 800 µV max and low input bias current of 1 pA typ. The devices consume only 10 µA at 5 V supply voltage, and have a gain bandwidth product of 120 kHz. They are packaged in tiny packages such as the SC70-5 and SOT23-5 for single versions, and MSO8, SO8 for dual versions. Their high precision makes them ideal for use in applications including CO sensors, medical devices, handheld devices and proximity sensors. More

Ultra-compact Transil™ protects xDSL line drivers

The new SMX1J7.5A Transil protects against ESD and electrical overstress according to IEC 61000-4-2/4/5. The device perfectly meets telecommunication and consumer temperature ranges, with 100 W typ. surge capability up to 112 °C, and it still performs with 85 W typ. at 150 °C. The dynamic resistance and temperature coefficient allow you to calculate the maximum clamping voltage whatever the surge current and temperature are. The device is available in a tiny µQFN-2L package with excellent size-to-power ratio, making it ideal for highly populated boards. More

Board allows you to evaluate ST's low-power, dual-axis analog gyroscopes

The STEVAL-MKI035V1 and STEVAL-MKI038V1 are complete, ready-to-use platforms for demonstration of the dual-axis LRP530AL (pitch and roll ±300 dps) and LPY550A (pitch and yaw ±500 dps) analog gyroscopes. The demo boards can be used in two different working modes. In analog working mode, the microcontroller on the board is disabled and the analog outputs of the device are directly available through a dedicated connector. In digital working mode, the microcontroller is enabled and the outputs are visible on a PC through a dedicated GUI. More

Short video highlights ST's electric metering solutions

This 2 minute clip demonstrates an intelligent metering solution composed of ST's 3-phase power sensor ICs, a VIPer power conversion IC, an STM32 MCU and a powerline modem for communicating real-time energy consumption information to monitoring stations. More