STMicroelectronics STEVAL-IME011V2

Overview

STEVAL-IME011V2 from STMicroelectronics is an ultrasound imaging evaluation board built around the STHV748S 4-channel, 5-level high-voltage pulser IC. It delivers up to ±100 V output swing per channel, supports waveform storage in four onboard memory locations, and interfaces via USB for custom waveform loading-enabling rapid prototyping of medical ultrasound transmit beamforming circuits.

For engineers reviewing the STEVAL-IME011V2 datasheet, STEVAL-IME011V2 pinout, STEVAL-IME011V2 application, or STEVAL-IME011V2 equivalent, this board provides direct oscilloscope-accessible BNC outputs per channel, dedicated HV/LV supply connectors, 4-key rapid program selection, and a graphical user interface for real-time configuration and waveform visualization in clinical-grade ultrasound front-end development.

Technical Context

The board integrates an STM32F427 microcontroller (ARM Cortex-M4, 180 MHz) as the host controller, managing SPI communication with the STHV748S pulser and handling USB-based waveform upload and GUI interaction. All four STHV748S channels are fully routed to BNC connectors with independent HV+/HV− and LV+/LV− terminals.

It implements dual regulated power supplies: +5 V (via LD1117 LDO) and −5 V (via LT3032 negative regulator), plus auxiliary AVDD/AVSS analog rails. High-frequency decoupling uses 220 nF ceramic capacitors at each STHV748S power pin, and 270 pF load-matching capacitors are placed directly at each HV output node.

Key Specifications

Availability

STEVAL-IME011V2 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for ultrasound system prototyping, medical imaging R&D, and high-voltage pulser validation requiring stable component supply and traceable evaluation hardware sourcing.

Supply support for STEVAL-IME011V2 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, analog ICs, power devices, and sensors for industrial, automotive, and medical applications.

The STEVAL-IME011V2 belongs to ST's Imaging & Ultrasound Evaluation Platform product line, engineered specifically to accelerate development of high-fidelity ultrasound transmit chains using their STHV series high-voltage pulsers.

FAQ

Does STEVAL-IME011V2 support real-time waveform generation?

No. The board loads pre-defined waveforms into four static memory slots via USB; it does not synthesize waveforms in real time. Waveform playback is triggered by external timing signals or MCU-controlled SPI commands, with fixed sample depth per channel determined by internal STHV748S register settings.

What is the maximum output current per channel on STEVAL-IME011V2?

Each STHV748S channel delivers up to 1.5 A peak source/sink current into resistive loads, limited by internal thermal protection and external 56 Ω series resistors (RL1–RL4) placed before the BNC outputs to ensure safe probe interfacing and impedance matching.

Can STEVAL-IME011V2 be used with non-ST ultrasound transducers?

Yes. The board provides standard XDCR_A–XDCR_D terminals compatible with any piezoelectric transducer requiring 5-level bipolar excitation. Users must match transducer capacitance and impedance to the 270 pF CLx load capacitors and adjust external biasing per transducer datasheet requirements.

Is the graphical user interface (GUI) included with the board?

Yes. ST provides the "Ultrasound Pulser GUI" software (v2.0+) as a free download from its official website. It runs on Windows, communicates over USB CDC, and enables waveform editing, memory slot assignment, channel enable/disable, and real-time oscilloscope-triggered capture synchronization.