STMicroelectronics STM32F401RET6

Overview

STM32F401RET6 from STMicroelectronics is a 32-bit Arm® Cortex®-M4 microcontroller with FPU, delivering 105 DMIPS at 84 MHz, featuring 512 KB flash, 96 KB SRAM, and integrated USB OTG FS controller with on-chip PHY. It supports 12 communication interfaces including 3×USART, 3×I²C, 4×SPI, SDIO, and I²S, and targets embedded control in industrial HMI, sensor hubs, and portable medical devices.

For engineers reviewing the STM32F401RET6 datasheet, STM32F401RET6 pinout, STM32F401RET6 application, or STM32F401RET6 equivalent, key selection considerations include its ART Accelerator-enabled zero-wait-state flash execution, 5 V-tolerant GPIOs (up to 78 pins), sub-µA standby current (2.4 µA @25°C), and dual low-power stop modes with 10–42 µA typical consumption.

Technical Context

The STM32F401RET6 implements an Arm Cortex-M4 core with hardware FPU and DSP instructions, paired with ST's Adaptive Real-Time (ART) Accelerator for deterministic 0-wait-state execution from flash memory. Its memory subsystem includes 512 KB of embedded flash (with ECC support), 96 KB SRAM, and 512 bytes of OTP.

Clock architecture integrates four oscillators: 4–26 MHz external crystal, 16 MHz factory-trimmed internal RC, 32 kHz RTC oscillator with calibration, and 32 kHz internal RC - all feeding into multiple PLLs including main PLL and audio PLL (PLLI2S) for independent peripheral clock domains.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

LQFP64 (10 × 10 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) package with exposed thermal pad; RoHS-compliant and ECOPACK2 certified.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with STM32F405RGT6, the STM32F401RET6 trades crypto/USB HS capability for lower BOM cost and smaller footprint; versus STM32F072RBT6, it delivers 2.5× DMIPS and full USB device functionality at modest power premium - making it optimal for mid-tier connected edge controllers.

Availability

STM32F401RET6 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial HMI, portable medical devices, smart home gateways, and motorized valve controllers requiring stable component supply and long-term production support.

Supply support for STM32F401RET6 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, specializing in microcontrollers, power management, and MEMS sensors with strong automotive and industrial focus.

The STM32F4 series targets performance-oriented embedded applications demanding real-time processing, rich connectivity, and energy efficiency - particularly where Cortex-M4 DSP/FPU acceleration and USB/SDIO integration reduce system-level complexity.

FAQ

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

The STM32F401RET6 achieves 84 MHz maximum CPU frequency using its internal PLL driven by either the 4–26 MHz external crystal or the 16 MHz internal RC oscillator. The ART Accelerator ensures zero-wait-state execution from flash memory at this speed, eliminating instruction fetch bottlenecks. System clocks for peripherals are derived independently via programmable prescalers, allowing simultaneous high-speed operation of USB, SPI, and timers without contention.

Does STM32F401RET6 support USB device mode without external components?

Yes - the STM32F401RET6 integrates a full-speed USB 2.0 transceiver (PHY) and USB OTG FS controller, enabling USB device mode with only passive components: 1.5 kΩ pull-up resistor on USB_DP for enumeration, and standard ESD protection diodes. No external PHY or level shifter is required, reducing BOM count and PCB area in portable or embedded host applications.

How many I/O pins are 5 V-tolerant and what does that mean for system design?

All 81 GPIO pins on the STM32F401RET6 are 5 V-tolerant, meaning they safely accept input voltages up to 5.5 V regardless of VDD level (1.7–3.6 V). This allows direct interfacing with legacy 5 V logic, sensors, displays, and actuators without external level translators - significantly simplifying mixed-voltage system design and improving noise immunity on digital inputs.

What low-power modes are available and what are their typical current draws?

The STM32F401RET6 offers Run, Sleep, Stop, and Standby modes. At 25°C: Run mode consumes 146 µA/MHz (peripheral off); Stop mode draws 10–42 µA depending on flash retention setting; Standby is 2.4 µA (no RTC) or 12 µA (at 85°C). All modes support fast wake-up (<5 µs from Stop), and VBAT powers RTC and backup registers during complete main power loss.