company blog about Recycle ST Evaluation Boards:Motion Sensor,Audio IC,Data Converter

Recycle ST Evaluation Boards:Motion Sensor,Audio IC,Data Converter

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Recycled products encompass: Integrated Circuits (ICs), 5G chips, new energy ICs, IoT chips, Bluetooth chips, automotive chips, AI ICs, Ethernet ICs, memory chips, sensors, IGBT modules, and more.

I. Motion Sensor Modules: Precise Capture of Posture and Motion Trajectories

The motion sensors featured on ST evaluation boards utilise MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) technology at their core. They encompass accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, and integrated inertial modules. Offering high precision, low power consumption, and compact dimensions, it accurately captures linear motion, angular velocity, spatial orientation, and magnetic field data. Widely applicable across consumer electronics, industrial control, IoT, and other motion detection domains, most variants support AI processing and sensor fusion capabilities, simplifying motion analysis development in complex scenarios.

1. Core Compatible Models and Module Characteristics

ST evaluation boards commonly utilise motion sensor models with core parameters tailored to varying precision and power consumption requirements. Typical configurations include:

- LSM6DSO16IS: Integrates a 3D accelerometer (±2/±4/±8/±16 g) and 3D gyroscope (±125/±250/±500/±1000/±2000 dps), featuring an integrated intelligent processing unit (ISPU) and supporting I²C sensor hub functionality. Its low-power design suits portable devices, commonly found on the X-NUCLEO-IKS4A1 evaluation board. It enables electronic image stabilisation (EIS), optical image stabilisation (OIS), and other functions. Compatible with the X-CUBE-MEMS1 software package and MEMS-Studio development tools, it supports no-code algorithm design and embedded AI functionality development.

- ISM330DHCX: High-performance inertial module integrating a 3D accelerometer and 3D gyroscope, featuring an embedded machine learning core and finite state machine. Digital output interfaces support high-speed data transmission. Mounted on the STEVAL-PROTEUS1 evaluation board, it is specifically designed for industrial equipment condition monitoring. Capable of implementing AI applications such as anomaly detection and multi-class classification when paired with the NanoEdge AI Studio tool. Supports Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) data transmission, suitable for predictive maintenance scenarios.

2. Evaluation Board Adaptation and Debugging Advantages

ST evaluation boards provide comprehensive adaptation and debugging support for motion sensors, lowering development barriers:

- Hardware: The evaluation board integrates power management circuits and signal conditioning modules required for sensors. Some models feature DIL24 pin sockets, supporting external MEMS adapters and sensor expansions. For instance, the X-NUCLEO-IKS4A1 evaluation board can connect infrared sensors (STHS34PF80) via industrial connectors to enable presence and motion detection. They are also compatible with STM32 Nucleo development boards and Arduino Uno R3 interfaces, enabling flexible expansion.

- Software layer: Leveraging the STM32Cube ecosystem, they provide sensor drivers and example code for real-time data acquisition, calibration, and analysis. MEMS-Studio enables no-code algorithm design, while NanoEdge AI Studio facilitates AI model generation, allowing development of motion recognition and anomaly detection without deep AI expertise. Certain evaluation boards support virtual COM ports, enabling real-time sensor data viewing via PC GUI software.

- Debugging Convenience: Supports SWD debugging interfaces for advanced application development and debugging using IDEs like IAR Embedded Workbench. Selected evaluation boards feature user buttons and LED indicators for rapid verification of sensor operational status and data transmission.

3. Typical Application Scenarios

Leveraging the rapid development capabilities of ST evaluation boards, motion sensor modules find extensive application in:

- Consumer electronics: Motion monitoring and posture recognition in wearables (fitness trackers, smartwatches); screen rotation and anti-shake photography in smartphones; attitude control and flight stabilisation in drones (when paired with the EVSPIN32G4-DUAL dual motor control evaluation board).

- Industrial Control: Vibration monitoring and predictive maintenance for industrial equipment (suited to the STEVAL-PROTEUS1 evaluation board), robotic posture control and motion path planning, operational status monitoring for garden tools, air purifiers, and similar devices.

- IoT and Smart Home: Human presence detection and gesture control for smart home devices (utilising the Qvar touch/slide electrode functionality of the X-NUCLEO-IKS4A1 evaluation board), intrusion detection for security systems, and environmental/motion monitoring in scenarios such as museum display cases.

II. Audio IC Modules: High-Fidelity Processing for Multi-Scenario Voice Interaction

The audio ICs featured on ST evaluation boards encompass audio front-end (AFE), Class D audio amplifiers, and dedicated voice recognition chips. Characterised by low power consumption, high fidelity, and robust anti-interference capabilities, they support far-field voice wake-up, local voice recognition, audio capture, and playback. These modules are perfectly suited for developing smart home appliances, embedded voice devices, and portable audio products. Leveraging the high-performance STM32 MCU enables integrated audio processing, simplifying hardware design.

1. Core Compatible Models and Module Features

ST evaluation boards commonly utilise audio IC models focused on voice interaction and audio amplification, catering to diverse power and application requirements:

- STM32H7 series MCUs (integrated audio processing): Serving as the core control unit for audio ICs, such as the STEVAL-VOICE-UI evaluation board featuring the STM32H743VIT6E. This integrates an audio front-end (AFE), local wake word detection, TCP/IP protocol stack, and IoT connectivity. It enables Amazon Alexa Voice Service (AVS) integration without requiring external DSP or Flash memory, supporting recognition of 30 local commands with rapid response times and low cache miss rates. This makes it suitable for voice interaction in far-field and noisy environments.

- MP23DB01HP: MEMS microphone with 36mm and 30mm spacing configurations. Mounted on the microphone sub-board of the STEVAL-VOICE-UI evaluation board, it offers high sensitivity and low noise characteristics, supporting far-field voice capture. Certified for Amazon far-field recognition via its 36mm microphone spacing, it captures clear voice signals within 5 metres, making it suitable for smart speakers and voice-controlled devices.

2. Evaluation Board Adaptability and Debugging Advantages

ST's audio IC evaluation boards deliver modular design and comprehensive development support for voice interaction and audio processing scenarios:

- Hardware Level: Modular architecture design, such as the STEVAL-VOICE-UI evaluation board comprising a main board and microphone/speaker sub-board. Microphone spacing and audio output configurations can be adjusted as required. The main board integrates a Wi-Fi subsystem (Murata 1DX module) and 2MB NOR flash memory, supporting AWS IoT connectivity. The STM32H735G-DK development board incorporates MEMS microphone connectors and an audio codec, supporting microphone expansion for evaluating far-field noise immunity.

- Software layer: Accompanied by an Amazon-certified software design suite providing audio front-end drivers, wake word detection algorithms, and AVS integration code. Supports operation from internal memory to minimise BOM costs. Compatible with the STM32Cube ecosystem, offering sample code and debugging tools for rapid implementation of voice wake-up, audio capture, playback, and IoT data transmission. Integrates with mobile applications such as STBLESensor for convenient parameter configuration and firmware updates.

- Debugging Convenience: Supports JTAG debugging and virtual COM ports, enabling audio parameter tuning and voice recognition result viewing via PC GUI software. Selected evaluation boards feature LED indicators for intuitive display of voice wake-up and data transmission status, simplifying audio debugging.

3. Typical Application Scenarios

Leveraging the rapid development capabilities of ST evaluation boards, audio IC modules find extensive application in voice interaction and audio processing domains:

- Smart Home Appliances: Voice control for smart speakers, air conditioners, and refrigerators (via Alexa Voice Service), supporting voice command recognition, music playback, weather queries, etc. For instance, the STEVAL-VOICE-UI evaluation board can be directly integrated into smart appliance prototypes.

- Embedded voice devices: Local voice interaction for industrial control terminals and smart remote controls, enabling command recognition without internet connectivity. Compatible with evaluation boards featuring the STM32H723 series MCU, with low-power design suited for portable devices.

- Portable audio products: Audio capture and playback for Bluetooth headphones and voice recorders. Leveraging low-power audio ICs and evaluation board power management designs to achieve extended operation, with high-fidelity characteristics ensuring audio quality.

- IoT Voice Nodes: Supports AWS IoT, BLE and other connectivity methods to upload voice data to the cloud, enabling remote voice control and data analysis. Compatible with the IoT functionality of the STEVAL-VOICE-UI evaluation board.

III. Data Converter Module: High-Precision Signal Conversion Bridging Analogue and Digital Worlds

The data converters featured on ST evaluation boards encompass analogue-to-digital converters (ADCs) and digital-to-analogue converters (DACs). Their core strengths lie in high precision, high speed, and low power consumption, enabling accurate conversion between analogue signals (such as sensor outputs, audio signals, voltage/current signals) and digital signals. This provides essential support for signal processing in embedded systems, catering to diverse scenarios including industrial metrology, sensor signal acquisition, and audio processing. Some models integrate isolation functionality and metrology algorithms, simplifying development for high-precision applications.

1. Core Compatible Models and Module Characteristics

The ST evaluation board's commonly used data converter models prioritise high precision and speed, catering to diverse signal conversion requirements:

- ADC1283: An 8-channel 12-bit analogue-to-digital converter (ADC) employing a successive approximation register (SAR) architecture with an integrated track-and-hold unit. Operating at conversion rates of 50ksps to 200ksps (achieving 200ksps at a 3.2MHz clock frequency), it supports SPI communication. Featured on the STEVAL-AKI002V1 evaluation board, Features six direct inputs with RC filters, one switchable reference voltage input, and one rail-to-rail amplifier input. Suitable for sensor signal acquisition and industrial inspection applications. Can be connected to the Nucleo-L476RG development board for further signal processing.

- STPMS2: A high-precision metering front-end IC serving as the core of a three-phase metering solution. Mounted on the EVALSTPM-3PHISO evaluation board, it works with an STM32F4 microcontroller and STISO621 digital isolator to enable voltage and current signal acquisition and metering for three-phase energy systems. Compliant with EN 50470-x, IEC 62053-2x, and supports DC measurement calibration, power offset calibration, and sampling offset calibration. It enables real-time calculation of metering data such as active power and reactive power.

2. Evaluation Board Adaptation and Debugging Advantages

ST data converter evaluation boards provide dedicated hardware design and debugging tools for high-precision signal conversion scenarios, reducing development complexity:

- Hardware Level: The evaluation board integrates essential components for data conversion, including reference voltage sources (e.g., the TS3431 adjustable shunt voltage reference and TSX711 operational amplifier on STEVAL-AKI002V1), signal conditioning circuits, and isolation modules (e.g., the STISO621 digital isolator on EVALSTPM-3PHISO), ensuring signal conversion accuracy and stability. Supports standalone operation or integration with Nucleo development boards, enabling flexible expansion of signal processing capabilities. For instance, STEVAL-AKI002V1 can function independently or interface with an STM32 microcontroller for complex data processing.

- Software layer: Features dedicated firmware and GUI debugging tools, such as the STSW-STPM004 firmware for EVALSTPM-3PHISO, which implements metering calculations and hardware access layer functions. The STSW-STPM005 GUI software provides an intuitive display of metering data, facilitates internal configuration modifications, and enables calibration procedures. STEVAL-AKI002V1 supports the STSW-AKI GUI tool for monitoring ADC conversion performance. It integrates with the STM32Cube ecosystem, providing drivers and example code to streamline data acquisition and processing workflows.

- Debugging Convenience: Supports JTAG probe debugging, enabling advanced application development and fault diagnosis via IDE. Evaluation boards feature configurable LED indicators (e.g., EVALSTPM-3PHISO's two LEDs, whose flashing frequency is proportional to active and reactive power) for rapid verification of device operational status. Select evaluation boards support SPI communication, facilitating connection to external devices for data transfer and debugging.

3. Typical Application Scenarios

Leveraging the high-precision capabilities of ST evaluation boards, data converter modules find extensive application in signal acquisition and metrology:

- Industrial metrology: Three-phase electricity meters and industrial power monitoring equipment utilise the STPMS2 metering IC and STM32F4 MCU on the EVALSTPM-3PHISO evaluation board to achieve high-precision voltage, current, and power measurement. These solutions comply with international standards and are suited for industrial automation scenarios.

- Sensor Signal Acquisition: Analog-to-digital conversion for motion sensors and environmental sensors (e.g., temperature, humidity, pressure sensors). For instance, the X-NUCLEO-IKS4A1 evaluation board, paired with an ADC, converts analog signals from the LPS22DF pressure sensor and SHT40AD1B temperature/humidity sensor into digital signals, enabling precise environmental data capture.

- Audio signal processing: Signal conversion for audio capture and playback. For instance, the STEVAL-VOICE-UI evaluation board employs an ADC to capture microphone audio signals, whilst a DAC converts digital audio signals into analogue signals. These are then amplified by the FDA903D amplifier to drive speakers, enabling high-fidelity audio processing.

- Portable detection equipment: Signal acquisition and conversion for handheld instruments and portable monitoring terminals. Leveraging low-power ADC/DACs and the evaluation board's power management design enables prolonged, high-precision detection, suitable for field and on-site testing scenarios.