STMicroelectronics STEVAL-SILKT01 Evaluation Kit

The STEVAL-SILKT01 is an evaluation kit from STMicroelectronics designed to help developers create and test applications using the STSILK01A System-in-Package (SiP). It’s a solution for industrial PLC development focused on SIL3 applications. The kit features a low-power  STEVAL-SILKTA01 motherboard and two STEVAL-SILKTB01 daughter boards (actuation boards). The motherboard also features up to three connectivity interfaces with RS485, CAN, and Ethernet options. There is a set of dual digital inputs and outputs, diagnostics coverage, and evaluation options for programmable logic controllers. 

Comprehensive Kit Designed for Safety-Critical Applications

The complete kit features a variety of peripherals and boards:

• STEVAL-SILKT01 - It’s the evaluation kit for industrial PLC solutions, purpose-built for developing safety-critical SIL3 applications. The safety elements are demonstrated by its design compliance with stringent safety standards like IEC61508-2, EN 62061, EN ISO 13849-1, and EN ISO 13849-2, targeting SIL3/PLe achievement. This focus on safety is further reinforced by its dual-core architecture, leveraging the STM32H743ZG and STM32G431RB microcontrollers, providing both performance and redundancy. A key aspect of the STEVAL-SILKT01 is its comprehensive diagnostic coverage, exceeding 90%, which is crucial for identifying and responding to potential faults in safety-related systems.

• STM32H743ZG - It’s a high-performance Digital Signal Processing Unit featuring an Arm Cortex M7 microcontroller with 1MB Flash memory and 1MB RAM. It also features a 480 MHz processor, external memory interfaces, and flexible external peripheral interfaces.  

• STM32G431RB - It’s the mainstream Arm Cortex M4 microcontroller featuring a 128 Kb memory, a math accelerator,  and medium analog level integration.

• STSW-SILKT01 - It’s the firmware package built around the STM32Cube architecture, featuring an application layer, drivers layer, and HAL libraries for necessary development support. 

Flexible I/O and Communications Features

The kit features dual digital outputs using the IPS1025H and IPS4260L, along with dual digital inputs via the CLT03-1SC3, all contributing to the system's safety integrity. Galvanic isolation, implemented using the STISO621, is employed for both data transmission and digital I/O signals, ensuring robust protection against electrical interference and enhancing system safety.  Redundancy is a core principle, implemented not only at the hardware level but also in data processing, further enhancing reliability.  

Real-time communication capabilities are essential for many safety-critical applications, and the STEVAL-SILKT01 supports this through Ethernet technology for protocols like Ethernet/IP, and differential serial communication for RS485 and CAN.  Finally, the kit incorporates overload and overtemperature protections directly on the board at the device level, safeguarding the system from potentially damaging conditions.  These combined features make the STEVAL-SILKT01 well-suited for developing applications where functional safety is paramount.