STMicroelectronics unveiled a complete system solution for laser-printer applications, based on the Company’s SPEAr embedded microprocessor technology. The working-prototype formatter board comprises all hardware, firmware and software components, reducing development time and required resources for printer manufacturers.
ST’s laser-printer controller board integrates the high-performance SPEAr600 device with two ARM9 cores, connectivity peripherals — DDR2 memory, USB 2.0, Giga Ethernet — and an FPGA (field-programmable gate array). This is complemented with laser-printer specific IPs, firmware subsystems and a simplified user interface based on the Windows Software Development Kit.
The application-specific features include a laser video output and LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) buffers that directly drive the four-color laser beams, four direct memory-access channels for data management, and a serial interface that sends commands and receives status information from the laser engines.
Tested and benchmarked with best-in-class printers, ST’s prototype board provides a complete system solution aimed at a wide application range, from entry-level single-function laser printers to mid-range and high-end multi-function models. Cutting costs, time-to-market and system know-how requirements, the ready-to-implement solution enables laser-printer manufacturers to build high-quality products with minimum development efforts.
Manufactured in state-of-the-art low-power 90nm and 65nm HCMOS (high-speed CMOS) process technologies, ST’s SPEAr (Structured Processor Enhanced Architecture) embedded microprocessors provide high levels of computing power and connectivity, targeting embedded-control applications across market segments from computer peripherals and communication to industrial automation. Based on the latest ARM® core technology, the SPEAr devices enable equipment manufacturers to develop complex yet flexible digital engines at a fraction of the time and cost required by a full-custom design approach.
