STMicroelectronics NUCLEO-L496ZG

Overview

NUCLEO-L496ZG from STMicroelectronics is an STM32 Nucleo-144 development board built around the STM32L496ZGT6 ultra-low-power Arm® Cortex®-M4 microcontroller in LQFP144 package, featuring 1 MB Flash, 320 KB SRAM, USB OTG Full-Speed interface via Micro-AB connector, and integrated ST-LINK/V2-1 debugger/programmer. It supports rapid prototyping for battery-powered IoT edge nodes, sensor hubs, and portable medical devices.

For engineers reviewing the NUCLEO-L496ZG datasheet, NUCLEO-L496ZG pinout, NUCLEO-L496ZG application, or NUCLEO-L496ZG equivalent, this board delivers validated hardware reference design, out-of-box STM32Cube firmware examples, ARDUINO® Uno V3–compatible expansion via ST Zio headers, and seamless IDE integration with STM32CubeIDE, IAR Embedded Workbench®, and Keil MDK-ARM.

Technical Context

The NUCLEO-L496ZG implements a complete evaluation platform for the STM32L496ZGT6 MCU, which integrates a 32-bit Arm Cortex-M4 core with FPU, operates at up to 80 MHz, and supports multiple low-power modes (Stop 2, Standby, Shutdown) with typical Run-mode current of 88 µA/MHz. The board provides direct access to all 114 GPIOs through ST morpho and ST Zio expansion connectors.

It includes a 32.768 kHz crystal oscillator for RTC accuracy, three user LEDs (LD1–LD3), two push-buttons (user and reset), flexible power options (USB VBUS, external supply, or ST-LINK USB), and on-board USB-to-serial bridge functionality via ST-LINK/V2-1's Virtual COM port capability.

Key Specifications

Availability

NUCLEO-L496ZG is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for low-power sensor node development, wearable health monitor validation, and industrial edge gateway prototyping requiring stable component supply and long-term toolchain support.

Supply support for NUCLEO-L496ZG 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

STMicroelectronics is a global semiconductor leader headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, designing and manufacturing microcontrollers, analog ICs, power management, sensors, and automotive semiconductors since 1987.

The STM32 Nucleo series was developed to accelerate embedded software development by delivering standardized, open-hardware evaluation platforms with unified firmware libraries (STM32Cube) and cross-IDE compatibility for the entire STM32 portfolio.

FAQ

Does NUCLEO-L496ZG support USB Device and Host modes?

Yes - it implements USB OTG Full-Speed via the Micro-AB connector, allowing dynamic role switching between device and host using the STM32L496ZGT6's embedded USB PHY and OTG controller. Firmware must configure the ID pin and manage VBUS detection per USB OTG specification.

What is the difference between NUCLEO-L496ZG and NUCLEO-L496ZG-P?

The NUCLEO-L496ZG-P adds an external SMPS (switched-mode power supply) to reduce system-level power consumption in Run mode, while the standard NUCLEO-L496ZG uses linear regulators. Both share identical MCU, pinout, and expansion interfaces but differ in power architecture and thermal profile.

Can NUCLEO-L496ZG be used for certified Bluetooth Low Energy or Wi-Fi connectivity?

No - it does not include integrated wireless transceivers. However, it supports external BLE/Wi-Fi modules via its ST Zio and morpho headers (e.g., UART/SPI-based ESP32 or nRF52840 modules), and STM32Cube includes middleware stacks for common wireless protocols when paired with compatible add-on shields.

Is the ST-LINK/V2-1 on NUCLEO-L496ZG field-upgradable?

Yes - the ST-LINK/V2-1 firmware can be updated using ST's official STSW-LINK007 utility or STM32CubeProgrammer. This enables compatibility with newer STM32 devices, enhanced debugging features, and security patches without hardware replacement.