STMicroelectronics STM32F038G6U6TR

Overview

STM32F038G6U6TR from STMicroelectronics is an ARM® Cortex®-M0 32-bit microcontroller with 32 KB Flash, 4 KB SRAM (HW parity), and integrated peripherals including a 12-bit ADC (1.0 µs conversion), 9 timers (including advanced-control TIM1 with deadtime and emergency stop), and communication interfaces (I²C Fast Mode Plus, USART with IrDA/LIN/ISO7816, SPI up to 18 Mbit/s). It operates at up to 48 MHz and supports industrial temperature range (–40 to +105°C) with 1.8 V ±8% digital supply.

For engineers reviewing the STM32F038G6U6TR datasheet, STM32F038G6U6TR pinout, STM32F038G6U6TR application, or STM32F038G6U6TR equivalent, key selection criteria include its UFQFPN32 package footprint, 5 V-tolerant I/O capability on up to 25 pins, RTC with alarm/wakeup from Stop mode, SWD debug interface, and suitability for cost-sensitive motor control, power conversion, and industrial sensor node designs requiring low-voltage operation and high peripheral integration.

Technical Context

The device implements a single-cycle ARM Cortex-M0 core with Thumb-2 instruction set, supporting deterministic real-time execution. Its clock system integrates multiple oscillators: 4–32 MHz HSE crystal, 32 kHz LSE for RTC, 8 MHz HSI with PLL (×6), and 40 kHz LSI - enabling flexible low-power and high-accuracy timing configurations.

Peripheral architecture features tightly coupled DMA (5 channels), nested vectored interrupt controller (NVIC), and dedicated hardware blocks for PWM generation (TIM1 with complementary outputs and programmable deadtime), analog signal acquisition (ADC with VREFINT and temperature sensor), and robust serial communication (I²C with SMBus/PMBus support and wakeup, USART with auto-baud detection and modem control).

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

STM32F038G6U6TR uses the UFQFPN32 (5 × 5 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) package with 32 leads. This compact, leadless package supports automated assembly and offers thermal performance suitable for space-constrained industrial modules.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with STM32F038G6U6TR, the STM32F030F4P6 lacks critical motor control features and voltage flexibility, while the STM32F070F6P6 trades 5 V tolerance and advanced PWM safety for USB capability - making the STM32F038G6U6TR uniquely suited for robust, isolated, mixed-voltage industrial control where reliability and peripheral integration outweigh connectivity needs.

Availability

STM32F038G6U6TR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for motor control, industrial sensor nodes, and power conversion applications requiring stable component supply, extended temperature operation, and long-term industrial lifecycle support.

Supply support for STM32F038G6U6TR 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 devices, sensors, and analog ICs for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.

The STM32F0 series targets cost-sensitive, resource-constrained embedded applications demanding high integration, low power, and industrial-grade reliability - with the F038 variant optimized for motor control and analog-intensive systems.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency and core type of the STM32F038G6U6TR?

The STM32F038G6U6TR features an ARM Cortex-M0 32-bit RISC core running at up to 48 MHz. It achieves this frequency using its internal 8 MHz HSI oscillator with ×6 PLL multiplication or an external 4–32 MHz crystal. The core supports Thumb-2 instructions and delivers 45.4 DMIPS (Dhrystone 2.1) performance, validated across the full –40°C to +105°C temperature range and 1.8 V ±8% supply.

Does the STM32F038G6U6TR support 5 V-tolerant I/Os, and how many pins have this capability?

Yes, the STM32F038G6U6TR supports 5 V-tolerant I/Os on up to 25 pins (specifically PA0–PA15, PB0–PB11 excluding PB12–PB15). This capability is hardware-enforced and does not require external components. Tolerance is guaranteed under all operating conditions per ST's electrical characteristics table (Section 6.3.13), enabling direct connection to 5 V logic, sensors, or transceivers without level-shifting circuitry.

What debug interface does the STM32F038G6U6TR provide, and what pins are required?

The STM32F038G6U6TR provides Serial Wire Debug (SWD), a 2-pin ARM-standard interface using SWCLK (PA14) and SWDIO (PA13). No reset pin is required for basic debug operations, though NRST can be used for hard reset during programming. SWD supports full JTAG-equivalent functionality - including breakpoints, watchpoints, memory inspection, and flash programming - with minimal PCB routing impact compared to traditional JTAG.

How is the real-time clock (RTC) powered and calibrated in the STM32F038G6U6TR?

The RTC is powered by the VBAT pin and retains time/date, alarm, and backup registers during main power loss. It uses an external 32.768 kHz crystal (LSE) for high-accuracy timekeeping, with built-in digital calibration (±208 ppm resolution) adjustable via the RTC_CALIBR register. Calibration values are factory-trimmed and stored in system memory, enabling sub-second drift correction over temperature and aging - critical for metering and logging applications requiring timestamp integrity.