STMicroelectronics STEVAL-ILL029V2

Overview

STEVAL-ILL029V2 from STMicroelectronics is a front-panel demonstration board built around the STLED325 LED controller driver and STM8S207K6T6 microcontroller, with integrated RTC, IR remote (RC5), mechanical key scanning, and optional STMPE24M31 touch interface support. It delivers 4-digit 7-segment + decimal point display control, 8 discrete LEDs, brightness/standby management, and alarm-triggered buzzer functionality for consumer front-panel applications.

For engineers reviewing the STEVAL-ILL029V2 datasheet, STEVAL-ILL029V2 pinout, STEVAL-ILL029V2 application, or STEVAL-ILL029V2 equivalent, this evaluation platform enables rapid validation of STLED325-based human interface subsystems-including channel/brightness UI, real-time clock integration, low-power standby sequencing, and multi-input (touch/mechanical/IR) event handling-without host processor overhead.

Technical Context

The board implements dual-mode operation: standalone mode using 8 mechanical front-panel keys (CH+, CH−, BRGHT+, BRGHT−, OK, MENU, DEMO, STBY) and touch interface mode when mated with STEVAL-CBP007V1, enabling 8-channel rotator-based brightness control and capacitive touchkey response. System I/O is offloaded to STLED325 and STMPE24M31, minimizing host CPU involvement.

It integrates a 32.768 kHz RTC crystal, supports RC5 infrared protocol via onboard 38 kHz IR sensor (J4), and uses supercapacitor backup (or optional battery) for RTC retention. Power is supplied via 9–18 V DC jack, regulated to 5 V (switching) and 3.3 V (LDO), with PWR/STBY bicolor LED indicating operational (green) or standby (red) state.

Key Specifications

Availability

STEVAL-ILL029V2 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for DVD players, set-top boxes, washing machines, and other consumer appliance front-panel designs requiring stable component supply, rapid UI prototyping, and multi-modal input validation.

Supply support for STEVAL-ILL029V2 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 specializing in microcontrollers, power management, analog, and sensor solutions for automotive, industrial, and consumer markets.

This board belongs to ST's STEVAL (ST Evaluation) series, designed specifically to demonstrate STLED325's front-panel interface capabilities-including LED driving, key scanning, RTC, IR decoding, and low-power standby-in cost-sensitive consumer electronics.

FAQ

What is the role of the STMPE24M31 on this board?

The STMPE24M31 is not mounted on STEVAL-ILL029V2 itself but resides on the optional daughterboard STEVAL-CBP007V1. When connected via J6/J7 headers, it provides 8-channel capacitive touchkey sensing and an 8-channel rotary touchpad for brightness control, offloading touch processing from the STM8S host and enabling seamless mode detection at power-up.

Does STEVAL-ILL029V2 support remote control protocols other than RC5?

The hardware includes a 38 kHz IR sensor configured for RC5 decoding in firmware, and the UM1058 user manual explicitly states RC5 is currently supported "but easily extendable for various other formats" - however, no other protocols (e.g., NEC, Sony) are implemented or validated in the shipped firmware; extension requires custom STM8S application development.

How is real-time clock data retained during power loss?

RTC timekeeping is maintained by a 32.768 kHz crystal and backed by a supercapacitor (C21) on the board; a battery may be substituted. The STM8S internal EEPROM stores channel/brightness settings across power cycles, but RTC register values persist only while backup power is active - no nonvolatile RTC memory is present.

Can the STLED325 be controlled directly by an external host instead of the onboard STM8S?

Yes - the board includes an external I2C interface connector (J3) and an 8-position DIP switch (SW2). When all DIP switches are set to OFF, STLED325's SDA/SCL/INT/RESET pins become accessible via J3, isolating it from the STM8S and allowing control by an external master, though RTC, IR, and key-scan firmware functions would then require external implementation.