STMicroelectronics STEVAL-TCS003V1

Overview

STEVAL-TCS003V1 from STMicroelectronics is a demonstration board built around the STMPE2403 24-bit I²C port expander and ST7263BK6 USB microcontroller. It provides LCD display, matrix keypad, dedicated keys, rotator controller, and PWM interfaces - all controlled via I²C master–slave communication between the ST7263BK6 (master) and STMPE2403 (slave), with USB Mini-B power and PC GUI interaction.

For engineers reviewing the STEVAL-TCS003V1 datasheet, STEVAL-TCS003V1 pinout, STEVAL-TCS003V1 application, or STEVAL-TCS003V1 equivalent, this board serves as a validated hardware platform for evaluating STMPE2403-based human interface subsystems in embedded control, industrial HMI prototyping, and low-speed USB peripheral development.

Technical Context

The board implements a dual-device architecture: the ST7263BK6 acts as an I²C master and USB device controller, while the STMPE2403 functions as an I²C slave port expander with integrated keypad scan engine, rotator decoder, and 8-channel PWM generator. Communication uses standard I²C at 100 kHz with pull-up resistors on SDA/SCL lines.

Key subsystems include a 2×16 character LCD interface driven via parallel GPIO expansion, a 4×4 matrix keypad scanned by STMPE2403's dedicated engine, and a 3-pin rotator connector supporting quadrature decoding. Power is delivered exclusively via USB Mini-B (5 V), regulated locally for both MCU and port expander domains.

Key Specifications

Availability

STEVAL-TCS003V1 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for embedded HMI prototyping, industrial control panel validation, and USB-interfaced peripheral design requiring stable component supply and documented reference implementation.

Supply support for STEVAL-TCS003V1 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 analog, MCU, power, and sensor solutions for industrial, automotive, and consumer applications.

This board belongs to ST's STEVAL (ST Evaluation) series - purpose-built to accelerate adoption of ST's interface and mixed-signal ICs through turnkey hardware, firmware, and PC software integration.

FAQ

Does STEVAL-TCS003V1 require external power or drivers to operate?

No. The board is fully powered via USB Mini-B (5 V). All peripherals - LCD, keypad, rotator, and PWM outputs - are directly driven by the onboard STMPE2403 and ST7263BK6. No external voltage regulators, level shifters, or display drivers are needed for basic operation.

What software is included, and which OS versions does it support?

The board ships with a Windows-based PC GUI application that communicates over USB CDC class. It supports Windows XP SP3, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 10 (32/64-bit). No additional drivers are required beyond standard Microsoft USB serial infrastructure.

Can the STMPE2403 be reprogrammed or configured independently of the ST7263BK6?

No. The STMPE2403 is hardwired as an I²C slave with fixed address (0x42) and is exclusively controlled by the ST7263BK6 firmware. Register access, interrupt handling, and configuration are managed entirely by the onboard microcontroller - no direct I²C host connection is exposed.

Is schematic or firmware source code available for this board?

Yes. The full circuit schematic (Doc ID 16367) is publicly available from ST's website. However, the ST7263BK6 firmware is provided in compiled HEX format only; ST does not release source code for the GUI communication stack or STMPE2403 initialization routines.