The STM32 family from STMicroelectronics offers a wide range of 32-bit microcontrollers based on ARM Cortex cores, categorized into different series to suit specific applications. Below is an overview of key STM32 series, their core specifications, and typical applications:
| Series | Core | Max Clock | Memory | Key Features | Applications |
| STM32C0 | Cortex-M0+ | 48 MHz | Up to 32 KB Flash | Basic peripherals, low power, 12-bit ADC | Cost-sensitive, home appliances, basic IoT |
| STM32F0 | Cortex-M0 | 48 MHz | Up to 256 KB Flash | Entry-level, low-cost, rich peripherals | Consumer electronics, motor control, sensors |
| STM32G0 | Cortex-M0+ | 64 MHz | Up to 512 KB Flash | Advanced peripherals, low power, touch sensing | IoT, smart home, low-power consumer devices |
| STM32L0 | Cortex-M0+ | 32 MHz | Up to 192 KB Flash | Ultra-low power, LCD support | Wearables, healthcare, battery-operated devices |
| STM32F1 | Cortex-M3 | 72 MHz | Up to 1 MB Flash | General-purpose, legacy series | Industrial, motor control, consumer electronics |
| STM32F2 | Cortex-M3 | 120 MHz | Up to 1 MB Flash | High performance, integrated Ethernet | Networking, data processing, audio systems |
| STM32L4 | Cortex-M4 | 80 MHz | Up to 1 MB Flash | Ultra-low power, DSP instructions, rich analog features | Industrial IoT, medical devices, smart meters |
| STM32G4 | Cortex-M4 | 170 MHz | Up to 512 KB Flash | Enhanced analog features, FPU, fast GPIOs | Motor control, power conversion, industrial IoT |
| STM32F3 | Cortex-M4 | 72 MHz | Up to 256 KB Flash | Rich analog peripherals, DSP, FPU | Motor control, audio processing, industrial apps |
| STM32F4 | Cortex-M4 | 180 MHz | Up to 2 MB Flash | High performance, FPU, extensive peripherals | Embedded vision, robotics, industrial automation |
| STM32H7 | Cortex-M7 + M4 | 480 MHz | Up to 2 MB Flash | Dual-core, high-speed, Ethernet, DSP, and FPU | AI, high-speed IoT, advanced industrial control |
| STM32L5 | Cortex-M33 | 110 MHz | Up to 512 KB Flash | Low power, enhanced security features (TrustZone) | IoT, secure applications, wearables |
| STM32U5 | Cortex-M33 | 160 MHz | Up to 2 MB Flash | Ultra-low power, advanced security, large memory | Wearables, portable medical devices, IoT security |
| STM32F7 | Cortex-M7 | 216 MHz | Up to 2 MB Flash | High-performance, rich interfaces (LCD, Ethernet) | Multimedia, graphics, data-intensive applications |
| STM32MP1 | Cortex-A7 + M4 | 650 MHz (A7) | Up to 1 GB DDR RAM | MPU with Linux support, dual-core, high memory | HMI, edge AI, industrial IoT gateways |
| STM32WB | Cortex-M4 + M0+ | 64 MHz | Up to 1 MB Flash | Wireless (Bluetooth, Zigbee), secure, ultra-low power | IoT, smart home, wearable devices |
| STM32WL | Cortex-M4 + M0+ | 48 MHz | Up to 256 KB Flash | Integrated LoRa, Sub-GHz RF, low power | Long-range IoT, smart agriculture, logistics |
1. Commercial Applications
- STM32C0 / STM32F0: Cost-effective, entry-level options for general-purpose commercial devices like home appliances.
- STM32F4: High-performance and feature-rich for complex consumer electronics like multimedia and robotics.
- STM32G0: Low-power with touch sensing, ideal for smart home and general IoT commercial devices.
2. IoT Applications
- STM32L4 / STM32L5: Low-power MCUs with advanced analog capabilities, suitable for IoT sensors and edge devices.
- STM32WB: Integrates Bluetooth and Zigbee, excellent for wireless IoT applications like wearables and smart home devices.
- STM32WL: Built-in LoRa and Sub-GHz RF, ideal for long-range IoT (e.g., agriculture and logistics tracking).
3. Defense Applications
- STM32H7: High-performance and robust, suitable for signal processing and advanced control systems.
- STM32F7: High speed and rich interfaces for complex tasks like radar or secure communications.
- STM32L5 / STM32U5: Enhanced security features (TrustZone) for secure communications and sensitive defense systems.
4. Industrial IoT (IIoT)
- STM32G4: Motor control and power conversion capabilities, ideal for industrial automation.
- STM32H7: Dual-core processing for advanced industrial gateways and real-time control.
- STM32F1: General-purpose and legacy support for industrial systems.
- STM32MP1: MPU support for Linux, suitable for industrial edge computing and HMI.
5. Size
- Small Packages:
- STM32C0 (8 to 48 pins): Ultra-compact for size-constrained designs.
- STM32L0 / STM32L4: Available in small QFN or WLCSP packages.
- Larger Packages:
- STM32H7 / STM32F7: High pin count packages for applications requiring extensive GPIO and peripherals.
6. Power Consumption
- Ultra-Low Power:
- STM32L0, STM32L4, STM32U5: Suitable for wearables, battery-operated devices.
- Moderate Power:
- STM32G0, STM32C0: Balance between performance and power for general applications.
- High Power:
- STM32H7, STM32F7: High performance but power-intensive, suitable for applications with stable power supply.
7. Cost
- Low-Cost Options:
- STM32C0, STM32F0, STM32G0: Ideal for budget-sensitive projects.
- Mid-Tier:
- STM32L4, STM32F4, STM32G4: Balance of performance and cost for IoT and industrial applications.
- Premium:
- STM32H7, STM32F7, STM32MP1: Higher cost for advanced features and performance.
8. Lead Time
- Fast Availability:
- STM32C0, STM32F0, STM32G0: Entry-level series often have better stock and shorter lead times.
- Variable Lead Times:
- STM32H7, STM32F7, STM32U5: High-performance and newer series may face longer lead times due to demand.
- Supply Chain Stability:
- STM32F1 and other legacy products may experience sporadic availability as production shifts to newer series.
Summary Table
| Category | Best STM32 Series |
|---|---|
| Commercial | STM32C0, STM32F0, STM32F4 |
| IoT | STM32WB, STM32WL, STM32L4, STM32U5 |
| Defense | STM32H7, STM32F7, STM32L5 |
| IIoT | STM32G4, STM32H7, STM32MP1 |
| Small Size | STM32C0, STM32L0, STM32L4 |
| Low Power | STM32L0, STM32L4, STM32U5 |
| Low Cost | STM32C0, STM32F0, STM32G0 |
| Short Lead Time | STM32C0, STM32F0, STM32G0 |
The STM32 family offers an extensive range of 32-bit ARM Cortex microcontrollers to address diverse application needs. From entry-level options like the STM32C0 and STM32F0 to high-performance series such as the STM32H7 and F7, and ultra-low power solutions like the STM32L0 and U5, developers can find the perfect fit for commercial, IoT, defense, and industrial applications.
Each series is tailored to specific performance, power, and cost requirements, ensuring scalability and flexibility in design. Additionally, the robust STM32 ecosystem, featuring tools, libraries, and community support, simplifies development and accelerates time to market.
The STM32 family remains a leading choice for developers seeking reliable, scalable, and versatile microcontrollers for modern embedded systems.
