STMicroelectronics STM32F038C6T7

Overview

STM32F038C6T7 from STMicroelectronics is an ARM® Cortex®-M0 32-bit microcontroller with 32 KB Flash, 4 KB SRAM (with hardware parity), and operation up to 48 MHz. It integrates a 12-bit 1.0 µs ADC (10-channel), nine timers including one advanced-control timer with deadtime generation and emergency stop, and communication interfaces including I²C Fast Mode Plus (1 Mbit/s), USART with LIN/IrDA/ISO7816 support, and SPI (18 Mbit/s). It targets low-voltage industrial control and smart sensor nodes requiring extended temperature range (–40 to +105°C) and 1.8 V core supply.

For engineers reviewing the STM32F038C6T7 datasheet, STM32F038C6T7 pinout, STM32F038C6T7 application, or STM32F038C6T7 equivalent, key selection criteria include its 1.8 V core voltage tolerance, 5 V-tolerant I/O capability on up to 25 pins, integrated RTC with alarm and wakeup from Stop mode, and SWD debug interface - all critical for battery-powered and space-constrained embedded designs.

Technical Context

The STM32F038C6T7 implements a single-cycle ARM Cortex-M0 core with Thumb-2 instruction set, supporting deterministic real-time execution at up to 48 MHz. Its clock system includes dual oscillators: a 4–32 MHz HSE for precision timing and a 32 kHz LSE for RTC, plus internal RC sources (8 MHz HSI with PLL, 40 kHz LSI) enabling flexible low-power startup and runtime reconfiguration.

Peripheral integration follows ST's STM32F0 architecture: the 12-bit ADC operates across 0–3.6 V input range with separate VDDA supply (2.4–3.6 V); the advanced-control timer (TIM1) delivers six PWM channels with programmable deadtime and emergency stop via BKIN; and the I²C interface supports Fast Mode Plus with enhanced current sink for robust bus driving in noisy environments.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

STM32F038C6T7 is housed in a 48-pin LQFP package (7 × 7 mm, 0.5 mm pitch), RoHS-compliant and ECOPACK®2 qualified. Pin functions are validated per ST's DocID026079 Rev 5, Section 4 (Pinouts and pin description), with dedicated VDD/VSS pairs, NRST, BOOT0, and SWDIO/SWCLK pins.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with STM32F038C6T7, the STM32F030F4P6 sacrifices Flash, timers, and RTC for lower cost and smaller size, while the STM32F070F6P6 trades 5 V-tolerant I/O and advanced motor control capability for USB connectivity - making the C6T7 uniquely balanced for robust, low-voltage, time-aware industrial control.

Availability

STM32F038C6T7 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial motor control, smart metering, automotive body electronics, and IoT edge sensor nodes requiring stable component supply across extended temperature and low-voltage operation.

Supply support for STM32F038C6T7 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, power management ICs, MEMS, and analog components for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.

The STM32F0 series targets cost-sensitive, resource-constrained embedded applications requiring high reliability, low power, and seamless toolchain integration - with the F038 variant specifically optimized for 1.8 V operation and extended temperature resilience.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency and core voltage specification?

The STM32F038C6T7 operates at up to 48 MHz using the ARM Cortex-M0 core. Its digital supply voltage (VDD) is strictly 1.8 V ±8% (1.656–1.944 V), as defined in Section 6.3.1 of the datasheet. Operation outside this range risks functional failure or reduced lifetime. The analog supply (VDDA) supports 2.4–3.6 V, enabling compatibility with higher-voltage sensors while maintaining low-core-power efficiency.

Does it support hardware-based cryptographic acceleration or secure boot?

No. The STM32F038C6T7 does not include hardware cryptographic accelerators (AES, SHA, PKA) or secure boot ROM. It relies on software-based security primitives and external secure elements for authentication or encryption. Its 96-bit unique ID can serve as a device identifier in custom secure firmware schemes, but no tamper detection, secure memory isolation, or trusted execution environment is implemented on-die.

How many I/O pins are 5 V tolerant, and which packages support them?

Up to 25 I/O pins are 5 V tolerant, confirmed in Section 3.7 of the datasheet. This capability is available across all STM32F038x6 packages - including LQFP48 (used by C6T7), UFQFPN32, UFQFPN28, WLCSP25, and TSSOP20 - and applies to designated GPIO pins (e.g., PA0–PA15, PB0–PB15, PC13–PC15) regardless of package. No external level-shifting is needed when interfacing with 5 V peripherals.

Can it drive a standard LCD segment display directly without external bias circuitry?

No. The STM32F038C6T7 lacks integrated LCD controller hardware or charge-pump voltage generators required for static or multiplexed segment LCD biasing. While GPIOs can toggle segments in software, they cannot provide the precise AC voltage waveform, contrast control, or duty-cycle flexibility needed for reliable LCD operation - an external LCD driver IC (e.g., ST7528) or dedicated MCU variant (e.g., STM32L031x6 with LCD controller) is required.