Acroview, a leader in chip programming, has officially announced the further expansion of its compatible chip model coverage with the release of a new version of its programming software. The company's core product, the universal programming platform AP8000, has now achieved full adaptation with STMicroelectronics' ultra-low-power microcontroller STM32L451CET.

The STM32L451CET is an ultra-low-power microcontroller featuring a high-performance Arm® Cortex®-M4 32-bit RISC core with a maximum operating frequency of 80 MHz. The Cortex-M4 core integrates a single-precision floating-point unit (FPU) that supports all Arm single-precision data processing instructions and data types. It also includes a full set of DSP instructions and a memory protection unit (MPU), effectively enhancing application security.

The STM32L451CET embeds high-speed memory (up to 512 KB of flash memory, 160 KB of SRAM), a Quad-SPI flash interface (standard on all packages), and a rich set of enhanced I/Os and peripherals. On-chip peripherals are distributed across two APB buses, two AHB buses, and a 32-bit multi-AHB bus matrix.

The STM32L451CET features multiple protection mechanisms for its on-chip flash memory and SRAM, including read protection, write protection, proprietary code read protection, and a firewall.

The STM32L451CET integrates a high-speed 12-bit ADC (sampling rate 5 Msps), two comparators, one operational amplifier, one DAC channel, an internal voltage reference buffer, a low-power RTC, one 32-bit general-purpose timer, one 16-bit PWM timer dedicated to motor control, four 16-bit general-purpose timers, and two 16-bit low-power timers. Additionally, the chip provides up to 21 capacitive sensing channels. It also features standard and advanced communication interfaces, including four I2C, three SPI, three USART, one UART, one low-power UART, one SAI, one SDMMC interface, and one CAN.

The STM32L451CET operates within a voltage range of 1.71V to 3.6V and supports two industrial temperature grades: ambient temperature -40°C to +85°C (junction temperature up to +105°C) and ambient temperature -40°C to +125°C (junction temperature up to +130°C). The chip features a comprehensive set of low-power modes to meet various low-power design requirements. It supports multiple independent power supplies: ADC, DAC, operational amplifier, and comparators can use a separate analog power input; the VBAT pin powers the RTC and backup registers, enabling data retention during power loss.

The STM32L451CET is available in six package options, with pin counts ranging from 48 to 100.

All Features

• Ultra-low power with flexible power control technology

-- Supply voltage: 1.71V to 3.6V

-- Operating temperature range: -40°C to 85°C/125°C

-- VBAT mode: 145 nA (with RTC and 32 backup registers)

-- Shutdown mode: 22 nA (5 wake-up pins)

-- Standby mode: 106 nA (5 wake-up pins)

-- Standby mode with RTC: 375 nA

-- Stop 2 mode: 2.05 µA; with RTC: 2.40 µA

-- Run mode power consumption: 84 µA/MHz

-- Batch acquisition mode (BAM)

-- Stop mode wake-up time: 4 µs

-- Brown-out reset (BOR)

-- On-chip interconnect matrix

• Core configuration

-- Arm® 32-bit Cortex®-M4 processor with single-precision FPU and ART Accelerator™ for zero-wait execution from flash; up to 80 MHz, with MPU and DSP instructions; 100 DMIPS performance.

• Performance benchmark

-- 1.25 DMIPS/MHz (Dhrystone 2.1)

• Clock sources

-- 4 to 48 MHz external crystal oscillator

-- 32 kHz low-speed external crystal (LSE) for RTC

-- Internal 16 MHz factory-trimmed RC oscillator (±1% accuracy)

-- Internal low-power 32 kHz RC oscillator (±5% accuracy)

-- Internal multi-speed oscillator: 100 kHz to 48 MHz, auto-calibrated by LSE with accuracy better than ±0.25%

-- Internal 48 MHz clock with clock recovery

-- Two PLLs for system clock, audio, and ADC clock

• General-purpose peripherals

-- Up to 83 high-speed I/Os, most 5V-tolerant

-- Hardware calendar RTC with alarm and calibration

-- Up to 21 capacitive sensing channels for touch keys, linear/rotary touch sensors

• Timers (12 in total)

-- One 16-bit advanced motor control timer, one 32-bit + three 16-bit general-purpose timers, two 16-bit basic timers, two 16-bit low-power timers operable in Stop mode, two watchdog timers, SysTick timer

• Memory

-- Up to 512 KB single-bank flash with proprietary code read protection

-- 160 KB SRAM, of which 32 KB with hardware parity check

-- Quad-SPI memory interface

• Rich analog peripherals (independent analog supply)

-- One 12-bit ADC, up to 5 Msps; hardware oversampling up to 16-bit resolution, 200 µA/Msps

-- One 12-bit DAC output channel with low-power sample-and-hold circuit

-- One operational amplifier with built-in PGA

-- Two ultra-low-power comparators

-- High-precision 2.5V/2.048V voltage reference buffer output

• Communication interfaces (16 in total)

-- One SAI

-- Four I2C Fast Mode Plus (FM+, 1 Mbit/s), SMBus/PMBus compatible

-- Three USART (supporting ISO 7816, LIN, IrDA, modem mode)

-- One UART (supporting LIN, IrDA, modem)

-- One low-power LPUART (wake-up from Stop 2 mode)

-- Three SPI + one Quad-SPI

-- CAN 2.0B active, SDMMC interface

-- IRTIM

• Other features

-- 14-channel DMA controller

-- Hardware true random number generator

-- CRC calculation unit, 96-bit unique chip ID

-- Development and debug: SWD, JTAG, Embedded Trace Macrocell

-- All packages are ECOPACK2® compliant

Internal block diagram

Acroview's self-developed AP8000 universal programmer has become a benchmark professional programming solution in the industry. The device supports flexible one-to-one and one-to-eight configuration modes, offers both online and offline operation, and provides dedicated programming solutions for memory chips such as eMMC and UFS. It fully covers STMicroelectronics' entire range of chips for both bare-chip offline programming and on-board programming. The AP8000 adopts an innovative modular design consisting of a main unit, a baseboard, and adapter sockets, giving it excellent compatibility and expandability. As a universal programming platform, it not only adapts to various programmable chips on the market but also delivers stable and efficient performance, making it the core component of Acroview's automated batch programmer IPS5800S, which efficiently handles large-scale chip programming tasks to meet mass production requirements.

The AP8000 main unit offers flexible connectivity with both USB and NET interfaces, enabling easy networking of multiple programmers. Through networking, users can achieve synchronized control of multiple programmers for efficient parallel programming. In terms of safety, the main unit incorporates intelligent safety protection circuitry that monitors chip placement and connection status in real time. If anomalies such as reverse insertion or short circuits are detected, it immediately triggers a power-off protection mechanism, ensuring the safety of both the chip and the programmer. The main unit is equipped with a high-speed FPGA chip, significantly improving data transfer and processing efficiency for smooth and efficient programming. For enhanced convenience, an SD card slot is provided on the back of the main unit. Users can store project files generated on a PC to an SD card, insert it into the slot, and then use the programmer's physical buttons to select, load, and execute programming operations, enabling standalone operation without a PC. This design reduces dependency on computer hardware and simplifies the workspace setup, greatly improving operational flexibility.

In terms of expandability and compatibility, the AP8000 employs a modular combination of baseboard and adapter boards, effectively extending the main unit's functionality. Currently, the device supports products from all major semiconductor manufacturers, including SK hynix, Micron, SANDISK, ASR, Kingston, and others. It supports a wide range of device types, including NAND, NOR, MCU, CPLD, FPGA, eMMC, etc., and is fully compatible with various industry-standard file formats such as Intel Hex, Motorola S, Binary, and POF, providing users with a one-stop, full-scenario chip programming solution.

Company Introduction

About STMicroelectronics: STMicroelectronics (ST) was founded in 1987 through the merger of Italy's SGS Microelettronica and France's Thomson Semiconductors. In May 1998, it was renamed STMicroelectronics. ST is one of the world's largest semiconductor companies and a leading provider of semiconductor solutions, offering innovative solutions to electronics manufacturers across various application fields. Leveraging its extensive technology portfolio, design capabilities, intellectual property, strategic partnerships, and manufacturing strength, ST is committed to becoming an undisputed leader in multimedia convergence and power applications.

About Acroview: Acroview is a national-level "Little Giant" enterprise specialized in R&D, production, and sales of semiconductor chip testing and programming equipment. The company is dedicated to empowering the entire industrial chain, including Fabless, IDM, OSAT, wafer fabs, and end-device manufacturers, through innovative semiconductor testing technologies and solutions. Acroview's pioneering Auto Burn-In (ABI) system greatly enhances customers' chip burn-in testing efficiency and reduces per-DUT testing costs. The company also provides equipment and solutions for various stages including PSV, CP, FT, ABI, SLT, and programming. By seamlessly integrating leading product technology, system-level expertise, and globally distributed R&D and sales service networks, Acroview creates value for customers to gain a competitive edge in the market.