STMicroelectronics today announced the introduction of its new STM32 F4 series of microcontrollers. This extension to the STM32 platform is based on the latest ARM Cortex-M4 core, which adds signal-processing capabilities and faster operations to the already outstanding portfolio of STM32 microcontrollers. The single-cycle DSP instructions of the STM32 F4 open the doors to the digital signal controller (DSC) market that requires high computational capability and DSP instructions for demanding applications such as high-end motor control, medical equipment and security. By providing a simple, full pin-to-pin and software compatible upgrade from the STM32 F2 series with more SRAM, higher performance and a robust collection of peripherals, the F4 series will enable customers designing with the STM32 F2 series microcontrollers to offer product extensions by upgrading to the F4 series if they need more memory, performance or features.
Beyond offering pin-to-pin and software compatible with the high-performance F2 series, the F4 series operates at a higher frequency (168 MHz instead of 120 MHz), offers single-cycle DSP instruction support and a Floating Point Unit, larger SRAM (192 Kbytes vs. 128 Kbytes), embedded flash memory from 512 Kbytes up to 1 Mbyte, and advanced peripherals for imaging, connectivity and encryption. ST’s 90nm CMOS process technology and the integrated ST Adaptive Real Time ART Accelerator deliver state-of-the-art performance, with zero-wait-state program execution up to 168 MHz, and best-in-class dynamic power