ST's laser-printer controller board integrates the SPEAr600 device with two ARM9 cores, connectivity peripherals, DDR2 memory, USB 2.0, Giga Ethernet, and an FPGA. This is complemented with laser-printer specific IPs, firmware subsystems and a simplified user interface based on the Windows software development kit.

The application-specific features include a laser video output and LVDS buffers that directly drive the four-color laser beams, four direct memory-access channels for data management, and a serial interface that sends commands and receives status information from the laser engines.

Tested and benchmarked with best-in-class printers, ST's prototype board provides a complete system solution aimed at a wide application range, from entry-level single-function laser printers to mid-range and high-end multi-function models.

Manufactured in state-of-the-art low-power 90nm and 65nm HCMOS (high-speed CMOS) process technologies, ST's SPEAr (Structured Processor Enhanced Architecture) embedded microprocessors provide high levels of computing power and connectivity, targeting embedded-control applications across market segments from computer peripherals and communication to industrial automation.

Based on the latest ARM core technology, the SPEAr devices enable equipment manufacturers to develop complex yet flexible digital engines at a fraction of the time and cost required by a full-custom design approach.