STMicroelectronics STARTKIT-M24LR-A

Overview

STARTKIT-M24LR-A from STMicroelectronics is a development kit for M24LRxx dual-interface EEPROMs, enabling evaluation of simultaneous I²C and ISO 15693 (13.56 MHz) RF communication. It includes a USB-interfaced middle-range RF reader, ANT1-M24LR-A antenna reference board, I²C cable, external power supply, and installation CD-ROM with PC software and technical documentation.

For engineers reviewing the STARTKIT-M24LR-A datasheet, STARTKIT-M24LR-A pinout, STARTKIT-M24LR-A application, or STARTKIT-M24LR-A equivalent, this kit supports rapid prototyping of dual-interface memory systems in NFC-enabled industrial tagging, secure asset tracking, and contactless configuration storage where concurrent wired and wireless access to EEPROM data is required.

Technical Context

The kit integrates two independent communication paths: an ISO/IEC 15693-compliant 13.56 MHz RF interface with external antenna coupling and a standard I²C bus interface (up to 400 kHz), both terminating at the M24LRxx device under test. The USB host connection powers and controls both interfaces via dedicated firmware.

PC software (M24LRxx_Application_software) provides GUI-driven read/write/lock operations over either channel, supports memory-mapped access to EEPROM sectors, and enables RF field strength monitoring and I²C timing validation - critical for interoperability testing with legacy readers and microcontroller hosts.

Key Specifications

Availability

STARTKIT-M24LR-A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial RFID prototyping, secure device provisioning, contactless sensor calibration storage, and dual-interface memory validation requiring stable component supply and documented toolchain support.

Supply support for STARTKIT-M24LR-A includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

STMicroelectronics is a global semiconductor leader headquartered in Geneva, designing and manufacturing microcontrollers, power ICs, sensors, and memory solutions for industrial, automotive, and consumer applications.

This kit belongs to ST's Dual Interface EEPROM ecosystem, engineered specifically to accelerate development of hybrid wired/wireless memory systems where tamper-resistant, field-upgradable nonvolatile storage is essential.

FAQ

Does STARTKIT-M24LR-A support M24LR64 only, or other M24LRxx variants?

STARTKIT-M24LR-A supports the full M24LRxx family including M24LR04, M24LR16, M24LR64, and M24LR02-R, as confirmed by ST Doc ID 17872 Rev 2. The PC software auto-detects device density and configures page addressing and RF command sets accordingly.

Is the RF reader integrated into the main board or external?

The RF reader is a standalone middle-range module interfaced via USB, physically separate from the ANT1-M24LR-A antenna board. This modular architecture allows users to replace or reposition the antenna without modifying the reader electronics or USB interface.

Can the kit be used with custom host microcontrollers instead of the provided PC software?

Yes - the kit exposes raw I²C signals and RF command-response UART-like protocol over USB CDC ACM. ST provides command reference tables and register maps in the included documentation, enabling integration with custom firmware on Linux, Windows, or RTOS platforms.

What is the maximum supported I²C clock frequency during evaluation?

The kit supports I²C fast-mode operation up to 400 kHz, verified per ST's characterization in Doc ID 17872. Signal integrity is maintained using series termination resistors and controlled trace lengths, ensuring reliable communication even with capacitive loads up to 400 pF.