STMicroelectronics ST72F324K2TA

Overview

ST72F324K2TA from STMicroelectronics is an 8-bit Flash microcontroller with 16KB program memory, 512 bytes RAM, 10-bit ADC (12 input channels), dual 16-bit timers (Timer A and Timer B), SPI and SCI serial interfaces, and PLL-based clock multiplication. It operates across 3.8V–5.5V and -40°C to +125°C, targeting industrial motor control and sensor interface applications requiring robust in-circuit programming and low-voltage supervision.

For engineers reviewing the ST72F324K2TA datasheet, ST72F324K2TA pinout, ST72F324K2TA application, or ST72F324K2TA equivalent, this MCU delivers deterministic real-time control with nested interrupts, programmable LVD/AVD monitoring, and four power-saving modes - critical for battery-backed instrumentation and automotive body electronics where supply stability and interrupt latency are design constraints.

Technical Context

This MCU implements a Harvard architecture with 63 basic instructions and 17 addressing modes, including 8×8 unsigned multiply. Its clock system integrates crystal/resonator oscillators, internal RC, and a 2× PLL for flexible frequency scaling up to 24 MHz.

Interrupt handling uses a nested controller with 10 vectors plus TRAP and RESET, supporting up to 9 external interrupt lines mapped across 4 vectors. Peripheral timing is synchronized via dedicated prescalers, and the watchdog timer offers both software-resettable and hardware-locked timeout options.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

TQFP44 (10 mm × 10 mm, 0.8 mm pitch) package with 32 multifunctional I/O lines, including 22 alternate-function pins and 10 high-sink outputs capable of 20 mA per pin.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar 8-bit microcontroller applications.

Compared with ST72F324K2TA, ST72F324B2TA offers identical functionality with reliability enhancements but shares end-of-life status, while STM8S105K4T6C provides architectural modernization and EEPROM at the cost of redesign effort and toolchain migration.

Availability

ST72F324K2TA is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial motor control, automotive body electronics, smart sensor nodes, and portable diagnostic tools requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long product lifecycles.

Supply support for ST72F324K2TA 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, specializing in microcontrollers, power management, and automotive ICs with vertical manufacturing capabilities.

The ST7 family was designed for cost-sensitive, real-time embedded applications demanding high noise immunity, low-voltage operation, and in-system programmability - particularly in industrial automation and automotive subsystems.

FAQ

Is ST72F324K2TA still recommended for new designs?

No - STMicroelectronics explicitly marks this device as "NOT FOR NEW DESIGN" in its official documentation. It remains available for legacy support and existing production, but ST recommends migrating to the STM8S series for new projects due to enhanced toolchains, longer product lifetime, and superior Flash reliability metrics.

What programming interfaces does ST72F324K2TA support?

It supports In-Circuit Programming (ICP) via the ICC interface using the ICCSEL/VPP pin and standard 5 V logic-level signals, and In-Application Programming (IAP) through SCI or SPI using user firmware. No JTAG or SWIM interface is present - debugging requires ST's proprietary STVP software and compatible programmers like ST-LINK/v2-ICP.

Can the 10-bit ADC operate during low-power modes?

Yes - the ADC can perform single conversions in Wait and Slow modes, but not in Halt or Active-Halt. Conversion results trigger interrupts without waking the CPU core, enabling ultra-low-power sensor polling. Sample-and-hold timing remains accurate down to 1 MHz system clock in Slow mode.

Does ST72F324K2TA include hardware CRC or memory parity?

No - the device lacks dedicated hardware CRC computation or RAM/Flash parity checking. Data integrity relies on software-implemented checksums, Flash read-out protection, and external supervision. For safety-critical use, designers must implement external error-detection schemes or migrate to STM8S devices with built-in CRC accelerators.