Silicon Labs EFM32G800F128G-E-D1I

Overview

EFM32G800F128G-E-D1I from Silicon Labs is a 32-bit ARM Cortex-M3 microcontroller optimized for ultra-low-power battery-operated systems, featuring 128 kB Flash, 16 kB RAM, hardware AES encryption, and energy modes down to 0.6 µA in Stop (EM3) with RAM retention. It integrates ADC, DAC, LCD controller, LEUART, and PRS for autonomous peripheral operation in smart metering and wearable health devices.

For engineers reviewing the EFM32G800F128G-E-D1I datasheet, EFM32G800F128G-E-D1I pinout, EFM32G800F128G-E-D1I application, or EFM32G800F128G-E-D1I equivalent, this page delivers verified specifications, package mapping to QFN64, validated energy-mode current values, confirmed peripheral reflex system behavior, and two field-tested alternative MCUs for low-energy embedded design.

Technical Context

The EFM32G800F128G-E-D1I implements the ARM Cortex-M3 core at up to 32 MHz with Memory Protection Unit and Wake-up Interrupt Controller. Its Energy Management Unit supports five distinct energy modes (EM0–EM4), enabling autonomous peripheral operation in EM2 (Deep Sleep) and EM3 (Stop) while retaining RAM and CPU state.

Peripheral Reflex System (PRS) enables direct hardware-triggered signaling between peripherals-e.g., ADC conversion completion triggering TIMER capture-without CPU intervention. Clock Management Unit provides independent gating of all peripheral clocks, and Low Energy UART (LEUART) operates autonomously at 32.768 kHz for sub-10 µA serial communication at 9600 baud.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

EFM32G800F128G-E-D1I is housed in a 64-pin QFN package (9 × 9 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) with exposed thermal pad. Pin functions are fully configurable via alternate function registers, supporting multiplexed peripheral routing across multiple I/O banks.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar low-energy microcontroller applications.

Compared with EFM32GG11B820F2048G-E-QFN64 and STM32L432KCU6, the EFM32G800F128G-E-D1I delivers superior ultra-low-power efficiency in EM3/EM2, unique hardware autonomy via PRS, and integrated analog/LCD peripherals-making it the most energy-efficient choice for long-life, feature-rich sensor endpoints without over-engineering.

Availability

EFM32G800F128G-E-D1I is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for smart metering, wearable health monitors, industrial sensor nodes, and home security panels requiring stable component supply and long-term production continuity.

Supply support for EFM32G800F128G-E-D1I 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

Silicon Labs is a fabless semiconductor company specializing in low-power wireless and mixed-signal ICs for IoT, infrastructure, and industrial markets.

The EFM32 Gecko family was designed specifically for energy-constrained applications-prioritizing sub-µA sleep currents, fast wake-up, and hardware autonomy to minimize active CPU time and extend battery life in edge devices.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency and core architecture of the EFM32G800F128G-E-D1I?

The EFM32G800F128G-E-D1I features an ARM Cortex-M3 processor core rated for operation up to 32 MHz. It delivers 1.25 Dhrystone MIPS per MHz and includes a Memory Protection Unit (MPU) supporting up to eight memory regions. This architecture enables deterministic real-time performance while maintaining ultra-low power consumption across all energy modes-key for battery-powered deployments where compute efficiency directly impacts service life.

Does the EFM32G800F128G-E-D1I support hardware-accelerated cryptography?

Yes, the EFM32G800F128G-E-D1I integrates a dedicated hardware AES engine supporting both 128-bit and 256-bit key lengths. Encryption operations complete in just 54 cycles (AES-128) or 75 cycles (AES-256), enabling secure firmware updates and encrypted sensor data storage without burdening the Cortex-M3 core. This capability is essential for meeting regulatory requirements in smart metering and medical wearables where data integrity and confidentiality are mandated.

What are the lowest power consumption modes supported by the EFM32G800F128G-E-D1I, and what functionality remains active?

The EFM32G800F128G-E-D1I supports EM4 (Shutoff) at 20 nA and EM3 (Stop) at 0.6 µA-all with RAM and CPU state retention. In EM3, brown-out detection, power-on reset circuitry, and the 32.768 kHz RTC remain operational. The device wakes in 2 µs, allowing rapid response to external interrupts or timer events. This combination makes EFM32G800F128G-E-D1I ideal for applications requiring multi-year battery life with infrequent but reliable wake-up behavior.

Can the EFM32G800F128G-E-D1I drive an LCD display directly, and what segment capacity does it support?

Yes, the EFM32G800F128G-E-D1I includes an integrated LCD controller capable of driving up to 4 backplanes and 40 segments (4×40). It features on-chip voltage boosting, programmable contrast control, and autonomous animation sequencing-eliminating the need for external display driver ICs. This reduces BOM cost and PCB area in applications like utility meters and portable medical devices where segmented LCDs provide low-power, sunlight-readable status feedback.

How many general-purpose I/O pins does the EFM32G800F128G-E-D1I provide, and what configurability options are available?

The EFM32G800F128G-E-D1I in its QFN64 package provides 54 usable GPIO pins across six I/O banks (PA–PF). Each pin supports configurable drive strength (2–20 mA), pull-up/pull-down resistors, Schmitt-trigger input, and digital filter. Peripheral functions-including USART, LEUART, ADC, DAC, and PRS signals-are remappable to multiple pins via the Alternate Functionality register, enabling flexible PCB layout and signal routing optimization without hardware redesign.