STMicroelectronics STEVAL-LLL013V1

Overview

STEVAL-LLL013V1 from STMicroelectronics is an evaluation board featuring a 7×25 LED matrix driven by two daisy-chained STP16CPC26 constant-current sink drivers and controlled by an STM32F042K6T6TR Arm® Cortex-M0 MCU. It supports USB and external 5 V power, delivers >100 Hz screen refresh rate, 32-level pixel brightness control via onboard potentiometer, and horizontal bidirectional banner scrolling.

For engineers reviewing the STEVAL-LLL013V1 datasheet, STEVAL-LLL013V1 pinout, STEVAL-LLL013V1 application, or STEVAL-LLL013V1 equivalent, key selection factors include its integrated STM32F042K6-based USB VCP interface, dual STP16CPC26 driver configuration, 7×25 matrix scalability, and PC GUI (STSW-LLL013GUI) support for real-time banner design and upload.

Technical Context

The board implements a frame-generation architecture where the STM32F042K6 MCU manages LED timing, SPI communication to two STP16CPC26 drivers, and USB virtual COM port (VCP) bridging to host PC software. The STP16CPC26 devices operate in constant-current sink mode with 16-bit serial-in/serial-out daisy-chain capability and adjustable output current per channel.

Hardware resources include uncommitted MCU GPIOs via pin headers, JTAG debug interface, UART TX/RX for cascading additional LED drivers, and dual potentiometers for real-time adjustment of global brightness and scroll speed - all without firmware reflash.

Key Specifications

Availability

STEVAL-LLL013V1 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for LED signage prototyping, embedded display validation, and educational LED matrix controller development requiring stable component supply and rapid GUI-driven content iteration.

Supply support for STEVAL-LLL013V1 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 consumer applications.

This board belongs to ST's STEVAL (ST Evaluation) series, engineered to accelerate proof-of-concept development for LED matrix control architectures using ST's mainstream MCUs and dedicated LED drivers.

FAQ

Does STEVAL-LLL013V1 support custom firmware uploads?

Yes. The board features SWD/JTAG interface compatible with ST-LINK programmers, allowing full firmware replacement or modification of the preloaded STSW-LLL013FW. Source code and project files are provided in the official STSW-LLL013FW package for customization of timing, effects, or communication protocols.

Can multiple STEVAL-LLL013V1 boards be synchronized or cascaded?

Yes. The board includes UART TX/RX pins routed to headers, enabling serial daisy-chaining of multiple units. The STM32F042K6 firmware can be modified to accept synchronized frame commands or distribute scroll offsets across linked displays using simple ASCII or binary protocol over UART.

What is the maximum recommended LED forward voltage per segment?

The STP16CPC26XTR drivers on this board support up to 20 V output compliance voltage. With typical red/green/yellow LEDs (VF ≈ 1.8–2.2 V), up to 9 LEDs in series per channel are feasible. Board layout uses common-anode 7×25 matrix wiring, limiting per-channel VF sum to ≤15 V for reliable operation at rated 100 mA sink current.

Is STSW-LLL013GUI compatible with macOS or Linux?

No. STSW-LLL013GUI is a Windows-only application (tested on Windows 7/10/11) that communicates via USB CDC ACM class. On macOS or Linux, users must implement custom host software using libusb or pySerial to send raw frame data packets defined in AN4912, as no official cross-platform GUI is provided by ST.