Acroview, a leader in chip programming, has announced the further expansion of its compatible chip model coverage alongside 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' high-performance microcontroller, the STM32F446RET.

The STM32F446RET features a high-performance Arm® Cortex®-M4 32-bit RISC core with a maximum operating frequency of 180MHz. The Cortex-M4 core integrates a single-precision floating-point unit (FPU), supporting all Arm single-precision data processing instructions and data types. It is also equipped with a full set of DSP instructions and a memory protection unit (MPU), effectively enhancing application security.

The STM32F446RET integrates high-speed on-chip memory (up to 512KB Flash, 128KB SRAM, and up to 4KB Backup SRAM) and features a rich set of enhanced I/O interfaces and peripheral resources. These peripherals are connected via two APB buses, two AHB buses, and a 32-bit multi-AHB bus matrix.

The STM32F446RET is标配 with three 12-bit ADCs, two DACs, and a low-power RTC. It includes twelve 16-bit general-purpose timers (including two PWM timers dedicated to motor control) and two 32-bit general-purpose timers. The chip also features standard and advanced communication interfaces to meet various communication requirements.

All Features

• Core
-- Arm® 32-bit Cortex®-M4 CPU with FPU, Adaptive Real-Time Accelerator (ART Accelerator) allowing 0-wait state execution from Flash, frequency up to 180MHz, MPU, 225 DMIPS/1.25 DMIPS/MHz (Dhrystone 2.1), and DSP instructions.

• Memory
-- 512KB Flash
-- 128KB SRAM
-- Flexible external memory controller supporting up to 16-bit data bus: SRAM, PSRAM, SDRAM/LPSDRAM, NOR/NAND Flash
-- Dual-mode Quad-SPI interface
-- LCD parallel interface supporting 8080/6800 modes

• Clock, reset and power management
-- 1.7V to 3.6V application supply and I/Os
-- POR, PDR, PVD, BOR
-- 4 to 26MHz crystal oscillator
-- Internal 16MHz factory-trimmed RC (1% accuracy)
-- 32kHz RTC oscillator with calibration
-- Internal 32kHz RC with calibration

• Low-power modes
-- Sleep, Stop, and Standby modes
-- VBAT supply for RTC, 20×32-bit backup registers + optional 4KB backup SRAM

• Analog peripherals
-- 3×12-bit ADCs, 2.4 MSPS, up to 24 channels, interleaved mode up to 7.2MSPS
-- 2×12-bit DACs

• General-purpose peripherals
-- 16-channel DMA controller with FIFO and burst support
-- Up to 17 timers: 2 watchdogs, SysTick, 12×16-bit timers, 2×32-bit timers, up to 180MHz, each with up to 4 input capture/output compare/PWM or pulse counter channels

• Debug
-- SWD and JTAG interfaces
-- Cortex-M4 Trace Macrocell

• I/O ports
-- Up to 114 I/O ports with interrupt capability
-- Up to 111 high-speed I/Os up to 90MHz
-- Up to 112 5V-tolerant I/Os

• Communication interfaces (up to 20)
-- SPDIF-Rx
-- Up to 4×I2C (SMBus/PMBus)
-- 4×USARTs + 2×UARTs (11.25 Mbit/s, ISO7816, LIN, IrDA, modem control)
-- Up to 4×SPIs (45 Mbit/s), 3 with I2S audio interface, professional audio accuracy via internal audio PLL or external clock
-- 2×SAI
-- 2×CAN 2.0B Active
-- SDIO
-- CEC

• High-speed connectivity
-- USB 2.0 full-speed device/host/OTG controller with on-chip PHY
-- USB 2.0 high-speed/full-speed device/host/OTG controller with dedicated DMA, on-chip full-speed PHY and ULPI
-- Dedicated USB power rail enabling on-chip PHY to operate across the MCU's full voltage range
-- 8-to-14-bit parallel camera interface up to 54MB/s

• Other features
-- CRC calculation unit
-- RTC: sub-second accuracy, hardware calendar
-- 96-bit unique ID

Internal Block Diagram

The AP8000 universal programmer, independently developed by Acroview, has become a benchmark professional programming solution in the industry. It supports flexible one-to-one and one-to-eight configuration modes, offers both online and offline operation, and features dedicated solutions for eMMC, UFS, and other memory chips. It fully supports bare-chip offline programming and on-board programming for the entire STMicroelectronics chip series. The AP8000 uses an innovative modular design consisting of the main unit, baseboard, and adapter, providing excellent compatibility and expandability. As a universal programming platform, it not only adapts to various programmable chips on the market but also serves as the core component of Acroview's automated batch programming system, the IPS5800S, efficiently handling large-scale programming tasks for mass production.

The AP8000 main unit features flexible connection options with both USB and NET interfaces, enabling convenient networking of multiple programmers. This networking function allows users to easily synchronize and control multiple programmers for efficient parallel programming. In terms of safety, the main unit includes intelligent safety protection circuitry that monitors chip placement and connection status in real-time. If abnormalities such as reverse insertion or short circuits are detected, it immediately triggers a power-off protection mechanism to ensure safe operation. The main unit is equipped with a high-speed FPGA chip, significantly improving data transmission and processing efficiency. For enhanced convenience, an SD card slot is located on the back of the main unit. Users can save PC-generated project files to an SD card, insert it into the slot, and use the programmer's physical buttons to select, load, and execute programming operations independently of a PC. This design reduces dependency on computer hardware, simplifies the working environment setup, and greatly improves operational flexibility.

In terms of expandability and compatibility, the AP8000 uses a modular baseboard and adapter design, effectively extending the main unit's capabilities. It currently supports products from all major semiconductor manufacturers, including SK hynix, Micron, Sandisk, ASR, Kingston, and others. The supported device types are extensive, including NAND, NOR, MCU, CPLD, FPGA, eMMC, and more. It 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, and was renamed STMicroelectronics in May 1998. ST is one of the world's largest semiconductor companies and a leading provider of semiconductor solutions, delivering innovative solutions to electronic equipment manufacturers across various application fields. Leveraging its vast technology portfolio, design capabilities, IP, strategic partnerships, and manufacturing strength, ST aims to become an undisputed industry leader in multimedia convergence and power applications.

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