STMicroelectronics STM32L476RET6

Overview

STM32L476RET6 from STMicroelectronics is an ultra-low-power Arm® Cortex®-M4 32-bit MCU with FPU, operating up to 80 MHz (100 DMIPS), featuring 512 KB flash, 128 KB SRAM, USB OTG FS, LCD controller, and integrated SMPS support. It delivers 39 µA/MHz run current in SMPS mode and supports -40 °C to 85 °C operation - deployed in battery-powered medical sensors and portable industrial HMI displays.

For engineers reviewing the STM32L476RET6 datasheet, STM32L476RET6 pinout, STM32L476RET6 application, or STM32L476RET6 equivalent, key selection criteria include verified low-power mode timing (4 µs Stop wakeup), dual 12-bit DAC channels with sample-and-hold, and hardware parity-protected SRAM for functional safety-critical firmware execution.

Technical Context

The device integrates an Adaptive Real-Time Accelerator (ART™) enabling zero-wait-state execution from flash at 80 MHz, alongside a memory protection unit (MPU) and interconnect matrix for deterministic peripheral arbitration. Its power architecture includes three voltage scaling modes (VOS0–VOS2), brown-out reset (BOR), and batch acquisition mode (BAM) for sensor data aggregation without CPU wake-up.

Clock system comprises four independent sources: 4–48 MHz HSE, 32 kHz LSE for RTC, factory-trimmed 16 MHz HSI, and auto-calibrated MSI (100 kHz–48 MHz ±0.25%). Three PLLs independently feed system, USB, and audio clocks - supporting synchronous multi-interface operation without clock domain conflicts.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

LQFP144 (20 × 20 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) package with 114 fast I/Os (most 5 V-tolerant) and independent supply capability for 14 I/Os down to 1.08 V - enables mixed-voltage interface design and noise-isolated analog domains.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar ultra-low-power MCU applications.

Compared with STM32L432KCU6, the STM32L476RET6 adds LCD driving and SMPS control essential for portable displays; versus STM32U575ZIT6, it trades security extensions for lower active power and built-in display hardware - making it optimal for cost-sensitive, battery-constrained HMI designs.

Availability

STM32L476RET6 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for wearable health monitors, smart utility meters, industrial HMI panels, and portable diagnostic tools requiring stable component supply across multi-year production cycles.

Supply support for STM32L476RET6 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 management ICs, sensors, and analog chips for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.

The STM32L4 series targets ultra-low-power embedded applications demanding extended battery life, rich analog integration, and robust real-time performance - optimized for portable medical, metering, and human-machine interface systems.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency and corresponding power supply requirement?

The STM32L476RET6 operates up to 80 MHz with a core supply voltage of 1.71–3.6 V. At full speed, it requires either internal LDO regulation (100 µA/MHz) or external SMPS (39 µA/MHz). Voltage scaling must be configured per VOS level: VOS0 supports 80 MHz only with SMPS; VOS1 allows 80 MHz with LDO under specific thermal conditions.

Does this MCU support hardware encryption or secure boot features?

It includes a CRC calculation unit and 96-bit unique ID for firmware integrity checks and device identification, but lacks dedicated cryptographic accelerators (AES, PKA) or TrustZone. Secure boot implementation relies on readout protection (RDP), firewall, and bootloader validation - meeting IEC 62443-3-3 basic requirements but not PSA Certified Level 3.

Can the integrated LCD controller drive graphic displays or only segment types?

The LCD controller supports only static and multiplexed segment-based displays (up to 8×40 or 4×44), not pixel-addressable graphic LCDs or TFTs. It includes a built-in step-up converter for LCD bias voltage generation, eliminating external charge pumps - ideal for alphanumeric or icon-based UIs in portable instruments.

What development tools are officially supported for firmware debugging and programming?

ST provides full support via STM32CubeIDE (free Eclipse-based IDE), STM32CubeMX for initialization code generation, and ST-LINK/V2-1 debug probes. Serial wire debug (SWD) and JTAG interfaces are implemented; Embedded Trace Macrocell™ enables instruction trace for real-time performance analysis - no third-party toolchain licensing required.