STMicroelectronics has extended its STM32 F0 microcontrollers based on the ARM Cortex-M0 core with new models that support crystal-less USB design, accurate sensing and smart power management for next-generation smart devices and connectivity products. The new STM32F0x2 line provides a combination of features not found in other ARM Cortex-M0 devices, such as support for CAN and a full-speed USB 2.0 controller with a self-calibrated clock system that simplifies design and saves external circuitry. Other USB functionality includes support for Battery-Charger Detection, which allows battery-powered devices to optimize recharging times with better flexibility, and Link-Power Management, which enables energy saving through enhanced system control.

Separate power domains for analog and digital I/Os support low-voltage operation while allowing a higher voltage dynamic range for accurate sensing on analog peripherals. The STM32F0x2 line provides 16 to 128 Kbytes of Flash memory in 20- to 100-pin packages in TSSOP, LQFP, UFQFPN, UFBGA, WLCSP or die form. To help accelerate design starts with these new microcontrollers, ST is releasing dedicated development hardware including an evaluation board and a low-cost discovery kit.

A full-speed USB device library is also available as a valuable aid to development. The new product line is supported by CooCox CoIDE Free and Open ARM Cortex MCU development tools. The STM32F0x2 is in production now, priced from $1.32 for the STM32F072C8U6 (64-Kbyte variant in UFQFPN48) in quantities of 10,000 units.

The 12Mbps USB 2.0 full-speed interface integrated in the company's latest STM32 ARM Cortex-M0 devices has its own 48 MHz oscillator, saving the need for an external crystal oscillator to generate the precision clock required by the USB protocol. By supporting USB 2.0 in addition to USART, I(2)C, I(2)S, HDMI CEC and ISO 7816 standard interfaces, the new STM32 F0 devices enable product developers to increase system integration, reduce costs, and break the traditional price/performance limitations imposed by older, proprietary 8- or 16-bit microcontrollers for USB device or USB- controller applications.