Texas Instruments LM3S1512-IQC25-A2T

Overview

LM3S1512-IQC25-A2T from Texas Instruments is a 32-bit ARM Cortex-M3 microcontroller with 256 KB flash, 32 KB SRAM, integrated hibernation module, 8-channel 10-bit ADC, and dual UARTs. It operates at 25 MHz, supports 3.3 V supply, and targets low-power industrial control and sensor interface applications.

For engineers reviewing the LM3S1512-IQC25-A2T datasheet, LM3S1512-IQC25-A2T pinout, LM3S1512-IQC25-A2T application, or LM3S1512-IQC25-A2T equivalent, this page delivers verified package mapping (LQFP-100), confirmed peripheral set (SSI, I²C, QEI, watchdog), and real-world timing and power specs for rapid schematic integration and firmware planning.

Technical Context

The LM3S1512-IQC25-A2T implements the ARM Cortex-M3 core with Thumb-2 instruction set, NVIC-based interrupt handling, and bit-band memory access. It integrates a hibernation module with RTC, battery-backed memory, and wake-on-external-event capability.

Peripherals include two UARTs supporting IrDA/SIR, one SSI port, one I²C master/slave interface, eight GPIO ports with programmable slew rate and pull-up/down, and a quadrature encoder interface for motor position sensing - all clocked from a configurable PLL-driven system clock.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

LM3S1512-IQC25-A2T is housed in a 100-pin LQFP (14 mm × 14 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) package with exposed thermal pad. Pin assignments follow TI's standardized Stellaris pinout for consistent PCB layout across the LM3S family.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with LM3S1512-IQC25-A2T, LM3S1968-IQC50-A2T trades hibernation for performance headroom, while TM4C123GH6PM upgrades analog and connectivity features at the cost of legacy power architecture - both require PCB and firmware revalidation.

Availability

LM3S1512-IQC25-A2T is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor nodes, motor control interfaces, programmable logic controller I/O modules, and smart HVAC actuators requiring stable component supply and long-term lifecycle support.

Supply support for LM3S1512-IQC25-A2T 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

Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor leader specializing in analog, embedded processing, and connectivity technologies, with decades of industrial-grade MCU development expertise.

The Stellaris LM3S series was designed specifically for cost-sensitive, low-power industrial control applications requiring integrated analog, timing, and communication peripherals in a single chip - prior to the TM4C transition.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the LM3S1512-IQC25-A2T?

The LM3S1512-IQC25-A2T operates at a maximum system clock frequency of 25 MHz, derived from its internal PLL or external crystal oscillator. This frequency is fixed for this variant - unlike higher-end LM3S parts, it does not support overclocking beyond 25 MHz, and all peripherals (UART baud rates, ADC sampling, PWM periods) scale accordingly. The LM3S1512-IQC25-A2T datasheet specifies timing margins validated up to this speed under 3.3 V supply conditions.

Does the LM3S1512-IQC25-A2T include a hardware hibernation module?

Yes, the LM3S1512-IQC25-A2T integrates a dedicated hibernation module featuring a real-time clock (RTC), battery-backed 2 KB SRAM, and wake-on-external-pin capability. This module allows the device to enter a deep-sleep state drawing less than 1.5 µA while retaining critical state and timekeeping - a feature confirmed in Section 6 of the official LM3S1512 datasheet and absent in many successor TM4C parts. The LM3S1512-IQC25-A2T uses PF0–PF4 for hibernate control and RTC clock input.

How many UART interfaces does the LM3S1512-IQC25-A2T support?

The LM3S1512-IQC25-A2T supports two independent UART interfaces: UART0 and UART1. Both include 16-byte FIFOs, programmable baud-rate generators, IrDA/SIR encoding, and loopback test mode. UART0 is typically assigned to PD0/PD1 by default, while UART1 maps to PA0/PA1 or alternate pins - all configurations are documented in the GPIO alternate function table of the LM3S1512-IQC25-A2T datasheet.

What analog peripherals are integrated into the LM3S1512-IQC25-A2T?

The LM3S1512-IQC25-A2T integrates an 8-channel, 10-bit, 1 MSPS analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with hardware averaging and sample sequencers, plus two rail-to-rail analog comparators with programmable hysteresis and internal voltage reference. It also includes an internal temperature sensor calibrated to ±3°C accuracy - all confirmed in Sections 11 and 15 of the LM3S1512-IQC25-A2T datasheet. No external ADC or comparator ICs are required for basic analog monitoring tasks.

Is the LM3S1512-IQC25-A2T pin-compatible with other LM3S devices?

The LM3S1512-IQC25-A2T uses a 100-pin LQFP package with a pinout aligned to the LM3S1000–LM3S1968 family, enabling layout reuse across select variants. However, pin compatibility is not universal: some functions (e.g., CAN, USB, additional PWM) present on higher-end parts are unconnected or undefined on the LM3S1512-IQC25-A2T. Board designs must verify signal mapping per the LM3S1512-IQC25-A2T-specific pin diagram - not assumed from other LM3S part numbers.