STMicroelectronics Introduces Free EDA Tool That Automates PSD Logic Design.

Business Editors

GENEVA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 31, 2001

STMicroelectronics (NYSE:STM):

Free, Downloadable PSDsoft Express(TM) 7.0 Automates Logic Design

of EasyFLASH(TM) Programmable System Devices

STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM) today released the latest version of PSDsoft Express(TM), a free development and programming tool that automates the logic design of EasyFLASH(TM) Programmable System Devices (PSDs). PSDsoft Express incorporates all of the functionality of the company's fee-based PSDsoft 2000, thus eliminating any charges for software development tools. Designers can use EasyFLASH PSDs to provide external flash memory, SRAM, I/O and programmable logic for more than 180 popular 8-, 16- and 32-bit microcontrollers from 14 suppliers. PSDsoft Express 7.0 software can be downloaded free of charge at www.psdst.com.

PSDsoft Express 7.0 automates the logic design of a PSD's microcontroller interface, memory mapping, chip selects and pin assignments. The new version is the first with the ability to design registered or sequential logic. Based on a designer's input to the menu-driven, point-and-click interface, PSDsoft Express 7.0 automatically generates the HDL programming code for the PSD's programmable logic. Other new features in PSDsoft Express 7.0 include HDL templates of cut-and-paste peripherals such as state machines, counters and shifters and the ability to manually edit the HDL, if desired.

When a design is completed, the tool automatically cross-checks for system and logic errors (common sources of problems in MCU-based designs with external devices) and then merges the logic design with the microcontroller firmware. PSDsoft Express 7.0 also automatically generates MCU firmware (ANSI C code) to enable the MCU to program the main PSD flash memory while operating from the secondary PSD flash memory. This "in-application programming" (IAP) allows the end product to continue to operate in the field while its firmware is updated over any communication channel supported by the MCU. Programming the PSD is an easy one-click process.

Software Automates 'Entire Design Process'

"PSDsoft Express 7.0 is the heart and soul of electronic design automation," said Reza Kazerounian, general manager of ST's Programmable System Memories Division. "With Version 7.0 we have automated the entire design process. Designers who have neither HDL nor PSD experience have used this tool to complete designs in less than 45 minutes. Even an experienced HDL designer would require days to design the logic generated by this tool."

"Very few designers of MCU-based systems have ever used a hardware description language," Kazerounian said. "Most write code for their microcontrollers, and that's it. However, if they write a lot of code or have large data storage requirements, their designs may outgrow the Flash available on the microcontroller. When this happens, the designer must add external Flash memory, and, since every microcontroller uses different signals for its bus interface, programmable logic must be added to define the interface to the MCU's address, data and control lines.

This is where the trouble starts, because virtually all CPLDs use a HDL for logic design. Now, these designers, who typically use C, C++ or Assembly language, must also learn a hardware description language. HDL programming is something very few of these designers want to do."

JTAG ISP 

PSDsoft Express 7.0 offers a quick and easy means of programming EasyFLASH PSDs All design parameters are automatically filled in on the screen, and a single mouse click programs the entire PSD in less than 10 seconds via the PSD's JTAG programming interface. JTAG in-system programming (ISP) eliminates manufacturing headaches, because a blank PSD can be soldered to a circuit board and programmed at the end of the manufacturing line. This eliminates the need for sockets, labels, bed-of-nails fixtures, and pre-programmed inventory of parts.

Cut and Paste MCU Peripherals

PSDsoft Express 7.0 provides HDL designs of commonly used MCU peripherals, including comparators, decoders, multiplexers, tri-state buffers, shifters, state machines and counters. These peripherals are available from pop-up menus in the tool. Designers can cut and paste these peripherals into their logic design and modify the peripherals to fit their applications. Version 7.0 also provides more than 40 ready-to-use templates with the memory maps of commonly used microcontrollers that can be implemented in any PSD device. These templates frequently can be used without modification as the design for the customer's application.

Point-and-Click Designs for More Than 180 Microcontrollers

PSDsoft Express 7.0 has pull down menus with the architectures for more than 180 microcontrollers from fourteen suppliers, with more added on a regular basis. The tool presents a dialog box with any special options that are available for the selected controller (for example, muxed or non-muxed operation or 8-bit vs.16-bit operation). Once the designer selects the appropriate options, the tool automatically generates all the required HDL code to interface the MCU to the PSD's logic and memory.

"Selecting a different microcontroller architecture is as easy as clicking on the name of the new device," Kazerounian said. "PSDsoft Express 7.0 automatically and instantaneously regenerates the logic for the MCU interface."

Versatile PSDs Offload MCUs

ST's PSD families of single-chip, field-programmable microcontroller peripherals off-load microcontroller functions so that MCUs can operate faster and do more. The power-conserving features of PSD devices can extend system battery life by several hours. ST's family of Flash-based MCU peripheral products is available with densities that range from 256 Kbit to 4 Megabit. Access times of 5-volt and 3.3-volt devices are as low as 70ns.

This family of innovative PSDs integrates memory functions such as Flash, EEPROM and SRAM with programmable logic, and is designed to work with standard microcontrollers to provide complete system implementations. Because PSDs can be programmed quickly and easily without special manufacturing equipment even in the field, they are particularly attractive in applications such as medical and communications equipment, industrial process control systems and other applications in which many parameter updates are required. PSDs are also popular in low-to-medium volume applications, which benefit from their ease of use and low inventory costs.

STMicroelectronics' Programmable System Memories Division, formerly Waferscale Integration, Inc., is a leading supplier of highly integrated programmable solutions for high-speed embedded control designs. ST completed its acquisition of WSI in September 2000.

About STMicroelectronics

STMicroelectronics (formerly SGS-THOMSON Microelectronics) is a global independent semiconductor company, whose shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on the ParisBourse and on the Milan Stock Exchange. 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 2000, the Company's net revenues were $7,813.2 million and net earnings were $1,452.1 million. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com.

PSDsoft and EasyFLASH are trademarks of STMicroelectronics.