STMicroelectronics STEVAL-IPC004V1

Overview

STEVAL-IPC004V1 from STMicroelectronics is a handheld point-of-sale (POS) demonstration board built around the STM32F107VC ARM Cortex-M3 microcontroller. It integrates a thermal printer, USB barcode scanner interface, 16-key keypad, LCD display, smartcard/magnetic card reader, GPRS connectivity, and rechargeable battery management - all operating from a 5 V DC supply. It serves as a functional reference for compact, self-contained retail transaction terminals.

For engineers reviewing the STEVAL-IPC004V1 datasheet, STEVAL-IPC004V1 pinout, STEVAL-IPC004V1 application, or STEVAL-IPC004V1 equivalent, this board supports rapid validation of embedded POS firmware, hardware integration of payment peripherals, thermal printing control logic, and low-power battery-backed operation in portable retail systems.

Technical Context

The board implements a complete end-to-end POS workflow: barcode input via USB host interface, transaction processing on the STM32F107VC (with integrated Ethernet MAC and USB OTG), secure payment handling through ISO 7816 smartcard and magnetic stripe interfaces, and local receipt generation using a built-in thermal print head. Real-time sales data is stored in onboard memory and synchronized with a PC-based server application.

Power architecture includes dual-path supply management - main 5 V adapter input and rechargeable Li-ion battery backup - with automatic switchover and charging circuitry. The system supports configurable access levels, remote health monitoring, and up to two months of local sales database retention via the companion server software.

Key Specifications

Availability

STEVAL-IPC004V1 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for handheld POS terminal development, embedded retail system prototyping, and secure payment peripheral integration requiring stable component supply and documented reference design validation.

Supply support for STEVAL-IPC004V1 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 components for industrial, automotive, and consumer applications.

This board belongs to ST's STEVAL (ST Evaluation) series - purpose-built demonstration platforms that accelerate time-to-prototype for application-specific embedded systems using ST silicon and validated hardware/software stacks.

FAQ

Is STEVAL-IPC004V1 still in production?

No - STMicroelectronics has marked STEVAL-IPC004V1 as obsolete (as confirmed in Doc ID 023488 Rev 1, October 2012). It remains available through authorized distributors for legacy design support and spare-part replacement, but no new revisions or long-term supply commitments are offered.

Does it include firmware source code?

Yes - the board ships with preloaded demonstration firmware and full source code for the STM32F107VC application layer, including barcode parsing, smartcard communication drivers, thermal print control, and keypad scanning routines, all provided under ST's standard license terms.

Can the GPRS module be replaced with LTE?

No - the board features a dedicated GPRS modem interface (not a socketed module), and its PCB layout, power delivery, and firmware stack are specifically designed for the original GPRS solution. LTE integration would require custom carrier board redesign and driver rework.

What software tools are required to modify the firmware?

ST's STM32CubeMX for initialization code generation, Keil MDK-ARM or GCC-based toolchains for compilation, and ST-LINK/V2 for debugging and flashing - all supported by ST's official firmware package and application notes for the STEVAL-IPC004V1 platform.