ST DEBUTS FLASH MEMORY MICROCONTROLLER CHIP W/FLASH PROTECTION.STMicroelectronics has debuted a new Flash microcontroller chip that includes features to protect the embedded Flash memory from code read-out read·out or read-out n. Computer Science Presentation of data, usually in digital form, from calculations or storage. Noun 1. or system errors, such as a loss of clock signal. Called ST10F168, the new chip integrates the ST10 16-bit microcontroller core, peripherals selected specifically for the automotive market, 256kbytes of internal Flash memory, 2Kbytes of dual port RAM and 6Kbytes of normal RAM. Clocked at 25MHz (MegaHertZ) One million cycles per second. It is used to measure the transmission speed of electronic devices, including channels, buses and the computer's internal clock. A one-megahertz clock (1 MHz) means some number of bits (16, 32, 64, etc. , it executes speed critical routines from the embedded Flash memory, so instructions typically execute in less than 80ns. Compared to previous ST10 Flash microcontrollers, the most important new feature is the addition of dedicated firmware called STEAK (ST Embedded Application An application that permanently resides in an industrial or consumer device. Providing some type of control function and/or user interface, the software is typically stored in a non-volatile memory such as ROM or flash memory. Kernel), which manages the Flash memory programming to ensure reliable programming and erasing plus protection against system errors. Moreover, it includes protection against unauthorized access to the embedded software Instructions that permanently reside in a ROM or flash memory chip. Embedded software may be immediately available to the CPU or, for faster execution, may be transferred to RAM first and then executed. . The STEAK firmware is located in a system area of memory and does not occupy any of the memory space provided for user firmware. Flash memory in the ST10F168 allows 1000 programming cycles for each of the four embedded Flash memory banks and assures a data retention of at least 10 years. ST has already delivered to customers in the automotive and data storage industries more than seven million Flash memory microcontrollers, which is more than any other company. Peripheral blocks integrated in the ST10F168 include a CAN interface, 32-channel capture and compare unit, five 16-bit timers, 16 channels of 10-bit analog-digital converters with a conversion rate down to 7.76us, a four channel pulse-width modulation Pulse-width modulation (PWM) of a signal or powersource involves the modulation of its duty cycle, to either convey information over a communications channel or control the amount of power sent to a load. unit, an asynchronous communications channel, synchronous communication channel, 56 interrupt sources with a sample rate down to 40ns, eight channel peripheral event controlled interrupts transferring data within one CPU CPU in full central processing unit Principal component of a digital computer, composed of a control unit, an instruction-decoding unit, and an arithmetic-logic unit. cycle, an on-chip bootstrap loader, an idle mode and two powerdown modes. Samples of the ST10F168 are available now and volume production has already started. A third-party evaluation board is available from Forth Systems (www.fsforth.de) with the option of a socket-mounted or soldered microcontroller. An on-board charge pump supplies the programming voltage for the Flash programming and a footprint is provided for emulator connection. The board ships with demo versions of compilers and debug To correct a problem in hardware or software. Debugging software means locating the errors in the source code (the program logic). Debugging hardware means finding errors in the circuit design (logical circuits) or in the physical interconnections of the circuits. software from several third party vendors plus self-training files and software for programming and erasing the embedded Flash memory. About STMicroelectronics STMicroelectronics (formerly SGS-THOMSON Microelectronics) is a global independent semiconductor company, whose shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) World's largest marketplace for securities. The exchange began as an informal meeting of 24 men in 1792 on what is now Wall Street in New York City. , on the ParisBourse and on the Milan Stock Exchange Milan Stock Exchange The largest regional stock exchange in Italy, facilitating more than 90% of the country's trading volume. . The company designs, develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of semiconductor integrated circuits (ICs) and discrete devices used in a wide variety of microelectronic applications, including telecommunications systems, computer systems, consumer products, automotive products and industrial automation and control systems. In 1999, the Company's net revenues were $5.056 billion and net earnings were $547 million. STMicroelectronics can be found on the World Wide Web at www.st.com. For more information, call +33 4 5040 2478 or 602/485-2061. |
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