STMicroelectronics STM32F401RCT7

Overview

STM32F401RCT7 from STMicroelectronics is a 32-bit Arm® Cortex®-M4 microcontroller with FPU, delivering 105 DMIPS at 84 MHz, featuring 256 KB Flash, 64 KB SRAM, and integrated peripherals including USB OTG FS, SDIO, 3×USART, 3×I²C, and 4×SPI - deployed in industrial HMI, motor control gateways, and portable medical sensors.

For engineers reviewing the STM32F401RCT7 datasheet, STM32F401RCT7 pinout, STM32F401RCT7 application, or STM32F401RCT7 equivalent, this page provides verified core specs, LQFP64 package mapping, low-power mode behavior (10 µA Stop mode), ART Accelerator™-enabled zero-wait-state Flash execution, and real-world peripheral timing constraints for time-critical firmware integration.

Technical Context

The STM32F401RCT7 implements an Arm Cortex-M4 core with hardware FPU and Adaptive Real-time Accelerator (ART Accelerator™) to eliminate Flash wait states at 84 MHz, enabling deterministic interrupt latency and DSP instruction support for real-time signal processing. It integrates a multi-AHB bus matrix for concurrent peripheral access and a 16-stream DMA controller with FIFOs to offload CPU during high-throughput data transfers.

Clock architecture includes dual oscillators (4–26 MHz HSE + 32 kHz LSE), internal 16 MHz/32 kHz RC sources with calibration, and dedicated PLLs for system, USB, and audio domains. Power management supports five low-power modes - Run, Sleep, Stop (Flash in Deep power down), Standby, and VBAT RTC - with sub-µA retention and calibrated wakeup timing.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

LQFP64 (10 × 10 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) package with exposed thermal pad - optimized for compact PCB layouts and thermal dissipation in enclosed enclosures.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with STM32F401RCT7, the STM32F411CEU6 trades integrated USB PHY for doubled memory capacity, while the STM32G431KBT6 replaces SDIO/USB with enhanced analog peripherals and higher clock speed - making each optimal for distinct subsystem priorities: connectivity density, firmware scale, or analog signal chain fidelity.

Availability

STM32F401RCT7 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial motor control gateways, portable medical sensors, and smart home HVAC controllers requiring stable component supply across multi-year production cycles.

Supply support for STM32F401RCT7 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, designing and manufacturing microcontrollers, power ICs, MEMS, and automotive SoCs with focus on energy efficiency and industrial reliability.

The STM32F4 Series targets cost-sensitive, performance-driven embedded applications requiring real-time processing, rich connectivity, and low-power operation - balancing Cortex-M4 capabilities with streamlined peripheral sets for rapid time-to-market.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency and how is it achieved?

The STM32F401RCT7 achieves 84 MHz maximum CPU frequency using its main PLL driven by the 4–26 MHz HSE oscillator or internal 16 MHz HSI. The ART Accelerator™ enables zero-wait-state execution from Flash at this speed, eliminating pipeline stalls. System clocks for peripherals (APB1/APB2) are derived via programmable prescalers, with APB2 supporting up to 84 MHz for timers and I/Os.

Does STM32F401RCT7 support USB device mode without external components?

Yes - the part integrates a full-speed USB 2.0 OTG controller with on-chip PHY, requiring only standard USB D+/D− routing and a 1.5 kΩ pull-up resistor on D+ for device enumeration. No external transceiver or level shifter is needed, reducing BOM cost and PCB area versus solutions requiring external PHYs.

How many ADC channels can be used simultaneously and what is the effective sampling rate?

The single 12-bit ADC supports up to 16 external channels and 3 internal channels (temperature sensor, VREFINT, VBAT). In interleaved mode with DMA, it achieves 2.4 MSPS aggregate throughput. For simultaneous sampling across multiple channels, the ADC uses sequential conversion with configurable sampling times - typical effective multi-channel rate is ~1.2 MSPS with 15 ADCCLK cycles per sample.

What are the key differences between Stop and Standby low-power modes?

In Stop mode, the 1.2 V regulator remains active, preserving SRAM and register contents; wakeup occurs in ~3.5 µs via EXTI or RTC alarm. In Standby mode, the regulator is disabled, retaining only RTC and backup registers; wakeup takes ~25 µs and requires NRST or WKUP pin. Standby draws 2.4 µA (no RTC) vs. 10 µA (Stop with Flash in Deep power down), making it optimal for ultra-long battery life.