STMicroelectronics STEVAL-IME011V1

Overview

STEVAL-IME011V1 from STMicroelectronics is a dedicated evaluation board for the STHV748 4-channel, 5-level high-voltage ultrasound pulser IC, featuring BNC-connected HV/LV outputs, USB waveform download, and on-board STM32F427 microcontroller with GUI support for real-time waveform configuration and oscilloscope validation in medical ultrasound imaging systems.

For engineers reviewing the STEVAL-IME011V1 datasheet, STEVAL-IME011V1 pinout, STEVAL-IME011V1 application, or STEVAL-IME011V1 equivalent, this board enables rapid prototyping of multi-channel ultrasound transmit beamforming, waveform memory management, and high-voltage pulse timing validation without custom PCB development.

Technical Context

The board integrates the STHV748 pulser IC with four independent 5-level output channels (HVOUT_A–D), each supporting ±100 V swing and programmable pulse amplitude, polarity, and delay via SPI-controlled internal DACs and level-shifting stages. It uses an STM32F427ZGT6 host MCU (168 MHz Cortex-M4, 1 MB Flash) to manage waveform storage in four non-volatile memory locations and coordinate USB 2.0 full-speed communication.

Power delivery includes dual regulated rails: +5 V/–5 V for logic and analog circuitry, and programmable ±100 V high-voltage supplies routed through dedicated BNC connectors and decoupled by 220 nF ceramic capacitors per channel. Signal integrity is maintained via 270 pF channel-load matching capacitors and 56 Ω series termination resistors on all LV/HV paths.

Key Specifications

Availability

STEVAL-IME011V1 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for medical ultrasound system development, portable imaging equipment prototyping, and academic research labs requiring stable component supply for high-voltage pulser evaluation and waveform algorithm validation.

Supply support for STEVAL-IME011V1 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, Switzerland, designing and manufacturing microcontrollers, power ICs, sensors, and analog devices for automotive, industrial, and medical applications.

The STEVAL-IME011V1 belongs to ST's Imaging & Ultrasound Evaluation Platform product line, engineered specifically to accelerate development of high-fidelity ultrasound transmit chains using their proprietary high-voltage pulser ICs and ARM-based control architecture.

FAQ

Does STEVAL-IME011V1 include the STHV748 IC pre-mounted?

Yes, the STEVAL-IME011V1 board ships with the STHV748 high-voltage pulser IC fully assembled and tested. The STHV748 is soldered in a TQFP-64 package and electrically connected to the STM32F427 host MCU via dedicated SPI and control signal lines as shown in the official schematic (DocID028176 Rev 1, page 2).

What software tools are required to operate STEVAL-IME011V1?

Operation requires ST's official "Ultrasound Pulser GUI" software, compatible with Windows 7/10, which communicates over USB CDC virtual COM port. The GUI enables waveform editing, memory location selection, channel enable/disable, and real-time oscilloscope-triggered capture - no additional SDK or firmware compilation is needed for basic evaluation.

Can STEVAL-IME011V1 generate arbitrary waveforms beyond standard pulses?

Yes - the board supports user-defined waveforms up to 1024 samples per channel, stored in four independent memory slots. Waveforms are loaded via USB and executed by the STHV748's internal sequencer, enabling burst, chirp, and coded excitation patterns used in advanced ultrasound beamforming techniques.

Is external high-voltage power supply mandatory for operation?

Yes - the STHV748 requires externally supplied ±100 V rails delivered through dedicated HV+ and HV− screw terminals. The board does not include on-board HV generation; it provides only regulation, filtering, and routing for externally sourced high-voltage supplies as specified in the STHV748 datasheet and STEVAL-IME011V1 user manual.