Premier Farnell extends its ARM relationship with the launch of two ARM Cortex-M processor-based STM32 series Development Kits

6^th June 2012 – London, Premier Farnell [LON:PFL], a leader in global electronics distribution and design solutions, has today announced it is to extend its relationship withARM through the launch of the latest series of ARM Cortex^™-M3 and Cortex–M4 processor-based STM32F2xx and STM32F4xx Development Kits across its distribution footprint in EMEA, China, and the Americas.

The deal will see the kits shipped with Keil^™ MDK-Lite Development Tools and the ULINK-ME^™ Debug Adapter. This follows the announcement of a franchise agreement with ARM in the Americas earlier this year. Developers will benefit from support by Premier Farnell’s ARM trained engineers, the element14 ARM development tools group and rich technical content, video support materials, and design examples on the Knode on element14. The new Development Kits will also be centre stage in element14’s benchmark RoadTest Group where design engineers test and review new products, posting their results and findings on the element14 Community.

The Cortex-M3 processor-based STM32F2xx and the Cortex-M4 processor-based STM32F4xx devices featured on the boards have the flexibility to reduce power consumption in applications requiring both high processing power and low-power performance when running at low voltage or on rechargeable batteries.

“With the addition of these 2 new development kits we are extending the breadth and depth of our choice, offering and leadership in ARM processor-based design”, David Shen, Chief Technology Officer at Premier Farnell. “The STM32F2xx/F4xx family of Cortex-M series processor-based MCUs already offer industry leading performance, and we are matching that leadership with the provision of complementary design software, debug solutions, RTOS, technical support and access to the unique content from element14’s global community of 100,000 design engineers.”

“In the competitive environment customers need great tools, hardware, and technical services in the race to get to market”, said Mark Onions, director of channel marketing, ARM System Design Division. “By making the very latest Cortex-M series processor-based evaluation boards available through our Premier Farnell partnership we enable our joint customers easy access to best in class products and services.”

Other key features of the MCBSTM32F400UME and MCBSTM32F200UME Development Kits include:

On-Chip Memory: 1MB Flash & 192KB RAM
External Memory: 8MB NOR Flash, 512MB NAND Flash, 2MB SRAM, 8KB I2C EEPROM with NFC interface
Ethernet MAC10/100 with IEEE 1588 v2 support
Two USB OTG (one with HS support)
2.4 inch Color QVGA TFT LCD with resistive touchscreen
CAN and Serial Interfaces
Serial/UART Port
MicroSD Card Interface
Digital VGA Camera Interface
Analogue functions include two 12-bit DACs, three 12-bit ADCs reaching 2.4 MSPS or 7.2 MSPS in interleaved mode.
ULINK-ME Debug Adaptor
MDK-ARM Lite Edition development tools

Further information on the Development Kits can be found here.

In a recent interview with element14, John Cornish, the Executive Vice President and Managing Director of ARM’s System Design Division, shares his thoughts on ARM as an innovator in the electronics industry. Click here to see the full interview.

About Premier Farnell

Premier Farnell plc (LSE:pfl) is a global leader in high service distribution of technology products and solutions for electronic system design, maintenance and repair. Its differentiated proposition includes 29 local language transactional websites, and the critically important element14 Community for design engineers – an industry first (www.element14.com). With sales last year of £990.8m and underlying profits of £93.3m the Group distributes its comprehensive portfolio of products and services throughout Europe, North America and Asia Pacific, supported by a global supply chain of over 3,500 suppliers and an inventory profile developed to anticipate and meet its customers’ needs.

While global in scope, Premier Farnell recognises the individual needs of each market and has continued to internationalise its model accordingly. It trades locally as Farnell element14 in Europe, Newark element14 in North America and Farnell Newark in Brazil. Across Asia Pacific the business trades as element14.

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