STMicroelectronics STEVAL-IPP001V2

Overview

STEVAL-IPP001V2 from STMicroelectronics is a complete demonstration board for power line communication (PLC) in smart metering applications, integrating STM32F10xxx MCU, ST7580 PLC modem, and STPMC1 polyphase energy-metering IC. It supports up to 28.8 kbps PLC data transmission, local LCD display of voltage/current/power/THD/energy parameters, and dual connectivity via USB and RS232/IrDA.

For engineers reviewing the STEVAL-IPP001V2 datasheet, STEVAL-IPP001V2 pinout, STEVAL-IPP001V2 application, or STEVAL-IPP001V2 equivalent, this board serves as a validated reference design for utility-grade single- or multi-phase metering nodes with optional ZigBee and MEMS expansion - critical for firmware validation, PLC protocol stack testing, and regulatory compliance prototyping.

Technical Context

The board implements a full PLM (Power Line Modem) smart-meter node architecture, where the ST7580 handles OFDM-based PLC physical layer modulation/demodulation at CENELEC A/B/C bands, while the STPMC1 performs real-time polyphase energy measurement with metrology-grade ADCs and DSP-based computation of active/reactive energy, power factor, and THD. The STM32F10xxx MCU executes application firmware, manages LCD/USB/RS232 interfaces, and orchestrates data routing between metering IC, PLC modem, and host systems.

Hardware-level integration includes non-isolated zero-crossing detection for timing synchronization, dedicated RTC calibration circuitry, configurable jumpers for mode selection (e.g., UART vs. SPI for ST7580), and expansion headers for ZigBee module (J24/J25), smartcard interface, and MEMS sensors - enabling modular validation of hybrid communication stacks in utility infrastructure deployments.

Key Specifications

Availability

STEVAL-IPP001V2 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for smart meter certification labs, utility R&D teams, and embedded metering system developers requiring stable component supply for reference design validation, interoperability testing, and firmware development cycles.

Supply support for STEVAL-IPP001V2 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, analog ICs, power management devices, and sensors for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.

This board belongs to ST's STEVAL (ST Evaluation) series - purpose-built reference platforms that accelerate time-to-prototype for system-level applications such as smart grid infrastructure, energy monitoring, and PLC-based IoT edge nodes.

FAQ

Is STEVAL-IPP001V2 still in production?

No - STEVAL-IPP001V2 is marked as obsolete by STMicroelectronics per its official documentation (Doc ID 022350 Rev 1, October 2011). It remains available through authorized distributors for legacy design support and spare-part replacement, but no new silicon revisions or firmware updates are planned.

What PLC standards does the ST7580 on this board support?

The ST7580 modem implements CENELEC EN 50065-1 compliant narrowband PLC in bands A (3–95 kHz), B (95–121 kHz), and C (148.5–160 kHz), supporting G3-PLC and PRIME protocol stacks. Its OFDM physical layer achieves robust operation under high-noise grid conditions typical in residential and industrial metering environments.

Can the board operate without an external metering board?

No - the STEVAL-IPP001V2 requires connection to a compatible external energy metering board (e.g., based on STPMC1) via its dedicated metering board connector (Figure 2). The board itself contains only signal conditioning, PLC, MCU, and UI circuitry; metrology ADCs and current/voltage sensing front-ends reside externally.

Does it support G3-PLC or PRIME firmware out of the box?

The board ships with bootloader and basic demo firmware preloaded on the STM32F10xxx, but full G3-PLC or PRIME stack implementation requires separate license and integration effort. ST provided application notes (e.g., AN3294) and software libraries for protocol adaptation, though official support ended with product obsolescence.