STMicroelectronics Launches User-Friendly 3rd Generation MCU Development Platform
– Provides improved flexibility and cost reduction

The EvoPrimer platform for STM8 and STM32 saves time and costs during prototype development by allowing target boards to be quickly swapped modularly.

Korea, January 24, 2010 – STMicroelectronics ( www.st.com ), a world-leading MCU supplier, has launched a third-generation development platform for customers using STM8 and STM32 microcontrollers, enabling simplified product development using plug-and-play modules when developing prototypes.

The new EvoPrimer platform is the industry's first low-cost handheld tool for rapid prototype development using STM8 and STM32, built upon the technological expertise accumulated from ST's Primer and Primer2 kits. EvoPrimer provides enhanced flexibility by offering a common base unit that allows for swapping low-cost microcontrollers or target boards, enabling customers to reduce tool costs. This flexibility allows for the rapid and low-cost evaluation of various products within the STM8 and STM32 families.

Currently, we supply target boards that support the STM8L ultra-low power 8-bit microcontroller and the 32-bit STM32F Connectivity and Performance Lines product families. In addition, we plan to supply additional target boards for the ultra-low power STM32L and the high-performance STM32 F-2 series, which utilize advanced 90nm process technology, in the near future.

Target boards can be rapidly connected to functions on the EvoPrimer base unit, such as LCD touchscreens, joysticks, MEMS accelerometers, microphones, loudspeakers and jacks, microSD card connectors, and lithium-ion batteries containing charge management circuitry. Expansion connectors are provided, allowing functions to be added as needed. EvoPrimer also integrates the CircleOS operating system to provide services, eliminating the need for designers to have complex knowledge of MCUs.

ST operates two online communities for over 15,000 engineers using Primer tools on the STM8 or STM32 product families to help MCU users design successful products. Users of these communities can download over 100 projects and run them directly in EvoPrimer.

The community sites are www.stm8circle.com and www.stm32circle.com , where you can participate in various activities such as asking product experts or participating in discussion forums.

The EvoPrimer can be purchased as a kit that includes a specific target board for $99. Additional target boards can be purchased for $24, and the base unit can also be purchased separately for $75. This platform provides the Raisonance Ride 7 application development environment and the Raisonance STM8 C compiler or the GNU C compiler for STM32.

Available configurations and part numbers:
• EvoPrimer Base Platform: STMPRIMER-BASE
• EvoPrimer including STM8L target board: STM8L1526PRIMER
• EvoPrimer including STM32 Performance Line target boards: STM3210EPRIMER
• EvoPrimer including STM32 Connectivity Line target board: STM3210CPRIMER
• STM8L target board sold separately: STM8L1526PRIM-D
• STM32 Performance Line target board sold separately: STM3210EPRIM-D
• STM32 Connectivity Line target board sold separately: STM3210CPRIM-D
• Expansion board providing a wrapping area (a part that can be folded and removed): STMPRIMER-PROTO

STM8 family
ST's STM8 is an 8-bit product family featuring advanced processing cores, and compared to 16-bit devices, the price is