Microcontrollers and components offered by STMicroelectronics
Microcontrollers and components offered by STMicroelectronicsDate of publication: 24-10-2024 🕒 19 min read
STMicroelectronics is a globally renowned manufacturer. The company provides a full spectrum of semiconductor components, including: diodes, interface systems, voltage regulators and microcontrollers. Most of them are included in the TME product catalogue.
See below for our assortment of STMicroelectronics solutions. It includes the key product groups offered by this brand, i.e.from diodes to complex 32-bit microcontrollers. Note that many of them can be purchased directly from TME warehouses, thanks to which a speedy dispatch to our customers is ensured. The text also describes specially customised models. Make sure you read all about these products.
This text covers the following issues:
- 8-bit microcontrollers: universal and automotive-grade
- Basic STM32 model parameters
- High processing power systems
- Compact 32-bit microcontrollers
- STM32 solutions for mobile devices
- Microcontrollers for wireless IoT devices
- Learning and prototyping with STM development sets
- Implementation of the RS232/422/485 interface
- Transil™ and overvoltage protection for microcontrollers
- Precise voltage adjustment and cell charging
Microcontrollers
Firstly, let us have a closer look at microcontrollers. Similarly to numerous other suppliers, STMicroelectronics divides its assortment of microcontrollers into two main groups, i.e. 8-bit and 32-bit systems. Nowadays, thanks to such factors as miniaturisation and the development of specialised peripherals, various simple circuits are sufficient to manage efficiently the operation of even really complex devices. At the same time, the STMicroelectronics software greatly facilitates the 32-bit system set-up and programming processes.
8-bit STM8 controllers
STM8 microcontrollers based on the 8-bit architecture are designed for simple applications, where lower processing power is fully sufficient. They are housed in SMD packages (LQFP, SO, TSSOP, UFQFPN) and come in versions supplied with voltages ranging from 1.65 to 3.6 V or from 3 to 5.5 V DC. Their cores are clocked with 16 MHz or 24 MHz signals. They support “classic” serial protocols (UART, I2C, SPI), and also CAN in selected models. The latter feature enables STM8AF and ASTM8AL family products to support automotive applications. They are compliant with the AEC-Q100 standard and ASIL classification, and come with extended warranty of manufacturer’s technical support.
The family of STM8S components is used in consumer and industrial equipment or other applications. They are equipped with integrated 8-bit counters, 10-bit A/D converters (up to 16 pieces) and EEPROM memory. Other differentiating features include a large number of GPIO pins and a selection of diverse SMD packages (up to 80 pins). The last, but by no means least, group of 8-bit microcontrollers are STM8L controllers characterised by the lowest power consumption rating. In the sleep mode, such circuits can require only 300 nA, which means that they meet the requirements specified for equipment supplied by (rechargeable) batteries, as well as remote circuits supplied by photovoltaic cells or wind generators.
State-of-the-art STM32 solutions
The model designation of 32-bit microcontrollers offered by STMicroelectronics is STM32. They are based on ARM Cortex-M cores and use various versions of these processors, i.e. M0, M3, M4, M7 and M33. Thanks to that, the assortment includes products offering various processing power ratings, and also energy-efficient and specialised variants, e.g. for wireless applications.
Note also that long term technical support and high reliability are some of the key advantages of the STM32 microcontrollers, which frequently play the role of the “hearts” of industrial or medical devices. The ability to program the circuits using the comprehensive STM32Cube environment(free-of-charge software developed by the manufacturer) is another important advantage. It streamlines the system set-up process and offers a hardware abstraction layer for all 32-bit controllers offered by the supplier. STM32Cube comes with a number of built-in libraries facilitating operation of interfaces (including USB) or complex protocols (e.g. TCP/IP). For a more detailed environment description, see the video clip below:
The broad spectrum of the STM32 microcontroller applications results from an impressive number of supported communication methods. These include basic interfaces, such as SPI, I2C and UART, but also facilitate data transmission using USB, CAN and IrDA. Selected models come with integrated network controllers (Ethernet). The provider’s assortment also includes systems supporting popular audio-video data transmission standards (HDMI, I2S, SPDIF, MIPI and DAC output), making it possible to develop complex graphical interfaces (HMI) and multimedia devices. Moreover, STM32 systems integrate such peripherals as: PWM generators, counters, Analogue-to-Digital Converters (ADCs), operating amplifiers, RTCs, etc.
Such an extensive range of functionalities means that STMicroelectronics products are truly multi-purpose solutions, and the embedded Cortex-M technology makes them energy-efficient, safe and easy-to-use for designers. They perfectly meet stringent requirements of high-tech applications, such as battery-powered and IoT devices. The provider further distinguishes STM32 systems in line with their general specifications – see the description below.
High-performance processors
STM32 microcontroller processors are available in versions clocked even at 600 MHz (for the Cortex-M7 core), designed to build complex real-time controllers. Their advantages include program memory of up to 2 MB and advanced integrated peripherals such as: timers and counters with resolution up to 32 bits, cryptographic coprocessors (supporting asymmetric and symmetric encryption [PKA/AEC]), SD/MMC interfaces and graphic accelerators (Chrom-ART).
| Family | Architecture | Frequency [MHz] |
SRAM [kB] |
FLASH [kB] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STM32F2 | Cortex-M3 | 120 | 64…132 | 128…1024 |
| STM32F4 | Cortex-M4 | 84…180 | 32…384 | 64…2048 |
| STM32F7 | Cortex-M7 | 216 | 256…512 | 64…2048 |
| STM32H5 | Cortex-M33 | 250 | 32…640 | 128…2048 |
| STM32H7 | Cortex-M4/7 | 280…600 | 128…1408 | 64…2048 |
General-purpose models
General-purpose systems include mostly attractively-priced microcontrollers requiring a minimum number of external components (such as bypassing/filtering capacitors) and housed in compact SMD packages (e.g. UFQFPN32). The selected product families included in this group (STM32F3, STM32G4) are designed to support mixed signals through the integration of operating multipliers, high-resolution A/D and D/A converters, as well as comparators.
| Family | Architecture | Frequency [MHz] |
SRAM [kB] |
FLASH [kB] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STM32C0 | Cortex-M0+ | 48 | 6…12 | 16…32 |
| STM32F0 | Cortex-M0+ | 48 | 4…32 | 16…256 |
| STM32F1 | Cortex-M3 | 24…72 | 4…96 | 16…1024 |
| STM32F3 | Cortex-M4 | 72 | 16…80 | 16…512 |
| STM32G0 | Cortex-M0+ | 64 | 8…144 | 16…512 |
| STM32G4 | Cortex-M4 | 170 | 32…128 | 32…512 |
Energy-efficient microcontrollers
Cutting-edge applications often require low energy consumption, which makes it an absolutely vital feature. That results both from the increasing demand for wireless, battery-powered devices and the drive to manufacture ergonomic and environmentally-friendly electronic equipment. The STM32 assortment includes microcontroller families that are particularly suitable for such applications, for example, models equipped with the Cortex-M0+ processor being the most energy-efficient unit included in the ARM portfolio. They need just 230 nA to maintain sleep-mode operation, and they consume approx. 50 µA/MHz during normal operation.
| Family | Architecture | Frequency [MHz] |
SRAM [kB] |
FLASH [kB] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STM32L0 | Cortex-M0+ | 25…32 | 2…20 | 8…192 |
| STM32L1 | Cortex-M3 | 32 | 4…80 | 32…512 |
| STM32L4 | Cortex-M4 | 80 | 40…320 | 64…1024 |
| STM32L4+ | Cortex-M4 | 120 | 320…640 | 512…2048 |
| STM32L5 | Cortex-M33 | 110 | 256 | 256…512 |
| STM32U0 | Cortex-M0+ | 56 | 12…40 | 16…256 |
| STM32U5 | Cortex-M33 | 160 | 272…3072 | 128…4096 |
For wireless applications
To make the overview of the STM32 controllers complete, products that are especially designed for wireless data transmission must be mentioned. As far as the STM32WB product family is concerned, these are systems based on two processors, i.e. Cortex-4 (supervisory and functional unit) and Cortex-0+ acting as communication coprocessor in this case. The models included in this group ensure native support for Bluetooth (BLE 5.4 version), and are designed to be used in applications featuring Zigbee and OpenThread technologies (in fact, they support all standards mentioned in the IEEE 802.15.4 specification).
| Family | Architecture | Frequency [MHz] |
SRAM [kB] |
FLASH [kB] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STM32WB | Cortex-M4/0+ | 64 | 16…256 | 64…1024 |
Development kits
Designers opting for the STMicroelectronics solutions have an extensive variety of development tools to choose from. These include STM8 or STM32 and provide a convenient learning, prototyping and testing platform. In order to streamline the process of migrating from other environments, selected board models are equipped with leads that are compatible with the Arduino Uno standard to take advantage of the extensive range of extensions available for that platform. Above all, however, the supplier includes adequate components for each microcontroller type installed in the circuitry, i.e. GPIO leads, interface connectors (Ethernet, USB, HDMI, audio Jack 3.5 mm, RCA, MIPI-CSI/DSI, etc.), LCDs and memory card slots.
Additionally, note that specialised versions of STM development kits are also available, i.e. circuits for implementing projects related to motor control or wireless communication (with integrated WiFi/Bluetooth modules).
Other systems and components
The STMicroelectronics product assortment also includes other systems and components that are indirectly related to the microcontroller offering. Note also that this overview does not include all the supplier’s products available in the TME product catalogue, but instead it is limited to products that are most commonly used in microprocessor systems or controlled by STM8/STM32 solutions.
Interface systems
In order to ensure the most extensive possible circuit compatibility, manufacturers and designers turn to popular, tried-and-tested communication standards. In the case of professional equipment, this is primarily the RS232 serial interface, its enhanced version (RS422) and the RS485 standard commonly used in industrial applications.
STMicroelectronics manufactures a number of interface circuits that support these communication methods, allowing microcontroller-based devices (provided by any manufacturer) to be integrated into automation, control and other standardised systems. In addition to noise resistance provided by the standard specification (differential signals in the RS-485 standard), the interfaces also ensure a higher ESD protection level. Thus, they can be implemented in industrial applications, HVAC controllers, telecommunications or robot-assisted solutions.
They come in versions with the voltage rating from 3 V to 5.5 V DC. A single package may include up to 5 transceivers with the maximum transmission rate reaching 25 Mb/s. All the products offered are available in compact formats designed for surface mounting (SMD).
Transient voltage suppressor diodes
Protection measures related to communication in larger systems (ESD and electromagnetic interference [EMI]) have already been discussed above. In this context, semi-conducting protection measures preventing system damage caused by overvoltage and voltage spikes must also be mentioned. Transil™ diodes, i.e. transient voltage suppressors (TVS) suppress pulse interferences present in transmission lines. They minimise the risk of microcontroller/interface damage. Their tripping time is measured in single picoseconds.
TVS (single- and bidirectional diodes) come in THT and SMD versions, and also as diode arrays. Their wide range of parameters should also be noted. These components are distinguished by the breakdown voltage ranging from 3.6 V to 440 V and may dissipate power up to 5 kW, at the peak current reaching even 0.5 kA. Selected products from this assortment are specially designed for automotive applications (mostly to ensure protection in CAN buses).
Transient voltage suppressor diodes
Voltage regulators
An overview of components offered by STMicroelectronics must always include voltage regulators in which this manufacturer specialises. Apart from classic linear components, they also offer a diverse selection of adjustable solutions (from 0.5 V to 37 V DC), with the LDO (low-dropout) characteristics, and also switched-mode DC/DC converters (buck and boost) supplying voltage ranging from 0.2 V to 900 V DC, max. 4 A. These products are available in surface-mounted and through-hole assembly versions with a wide operating temperature range, and also in 2-channel and multi-channel variants to facilitate the designing of complex power supply circuits.
Moreover, STM offers other systems related to power supply, such as reference voltages ensuring precise results of measurements conducted using A/D converters. They are essential components for circuits where microcontrollers are used to operate with analogue sensors, i.e. numerous applications in the field of broadly-defined automation.
Other products from STM include high-quality charging controllers and battery status monitors. They facilitate building high-performance and safe devices powered by lithium-ion or lithium-polymer cells. They are housed in compact packages (e.g. SOT23-5) and thus are a perfect solution for designing compact circuits.
