Low-cost development kit for STR9 ARM966E core-based MCUs with Ethernet connectivity

STMicroelectronics has announced a complete yet very low-cost evaluation and development kit for the company’s powerful STR91x 32-bit microcontroller family, which is based on the ARM966E core and is particularly suited to networked embedded applications.

The STR91x series is a general-purpose Flash microcontroller family combining the ARM9E processor core with large Static RAM and Flash memories, and with broad connectivity through 10/100-Mbit Ethernet, Hi-Speed USB and CAN (Controller Area Network) protocols. It was developed specifically to meet growing demand for higher performance in embedded-control applications, and to provide built-in Ethernet capability to reduce the cost of fast networking. Typical applications include Point-of-Sale (POS) equipment, vending machines, industrial and building automation, serial-protocol gateways, and security and surveillance systems.

The Hitex software tools, included with the STR9-comStick, allow the developer to modify and recompile application source code, program the STR91x MCU, and debug applications as they run on the development system. The tool set includes the HiTOP5 debugger, and a GNU C/C++ compiler for ARM – both optimized for the STR9-comStick – plus a uIP TCP/IP stack port as a foundation for embedded Ethernet applications.

The kit also includes a set of ready-to-run sample applications, including an embedded web server, USB mouse software, CAN monitor and generator, vectored interrupt controller and timer, together with ADC and I/O routines. All the source files can be downloaded free from the Hitex website, and can be used, modified and adapted for the user’s own application. Also available from the dedicated STR9-comStick website are the latest documentation, new sample applications and STR9 Insider’s Guides, plus training and ordering information.

STMicroelectronics