STMicroelectronics STM32L496QEI6TR

Overview

STM32L496QEI6TR from STMicroelectronics is an ultra-low-power Arm® Cortex®-M4 32-bit MCU with FPU, delivering 100 DMIPS at 80 MHz, featuring 1 MB flash, 320 KB SRAM, USB OTG FS, hardware SHA-256 acceleration, and integrated SMPS support. It targets battery-powered IoT edge nodes, portable medical sensors, and energy-harvesting gateways requiring sub-µA standby operation and real-time audio processing.

For engineers reviewing the STM32L496QEI6TR datasheet, STM32L496QEI6TR pinout, STM32L496QEI6TR application, or STM32L496QEI6TR equivalent, key selection criteria include verified 2.57 µA Stop 2 mode current, dual-bank read-while-write flash architecture, 3× 12-bit ADCs (5 Msps), Chrom-ART Accelerator for GUI rendering, and UFBGA132 package compatibility with high-density PCB layouts.

Technical Context

The STM32L496QEI6TR implements FlexPowerControl with five low-power modes-Shutdown (25 nA), Standby (108 nA), Standby+RTC (426 nA), Stop 2 (2.57 µA), and Run (37 µA/MHz in SMPS mode)-enabling multi-year battery life in sensor endpoints. Its ART Accelerator enables zero-wait-state execution from flash at 80 MHz, while the interconnect matrix decouples CPU, DMA, and peripheral bus arbitration to sustain throughput during concurrent analog acquisition and USB streaming.

It integrates dedicated hardware accelerators: HASH (SHA-256) for secure firmware updates, Chrom-ART (DMA2D) for offloading GUI composition, and DFSDM filters for sigma-delta sensor interfacing. The dual 12-bit DACs, two rail-to-rail op-amps with PGA, and ultra-low-power comparators support closed-loop analog control without external signal conditioning.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

STM32L496QEI6TR is housed in a 132-ball Ultra-Fine-Pitch Ball Grid Array (UFBGA132) package with 0.4 mm ball pitch and 7 mm × 7 mm body size. This package supports high I/O density (up to 105 GPIOs), thermal efficiency via exposed thermal pad, and compatibility with standard PCB assembly processes.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with STM32L476RG, the STM32L496QEI6TR delivers 2.2× lower Stop 2 current and integrated graphics acceleration; versus STM32U575ZIT6, it offers native USB FS and smaller UFBGA132 footprint at the expense of TrustZone and deeper shutdown states.

Availability

STM32L496QEI6TR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for wearable health monitors, smart utility meters, industrial predictive maintenance nodes, and audio-enabled smart home hubs requiring stable component supply across multi-year production cycles.

Supply support for STM32L496QEI6TR 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, sensors, and automotive-grade components since 1987.

The STM32L4 series targets ultra-low-power embedded applications demanding high performance per µA, with design focus on energy harvesting, battery longevity, and rich peripheral integration for IoT edge intelligence.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating temperature range for STM32L496QEI6TR?

The STM32L496QEI6TR is qualified for industrial operation from –40 °C to +125 °C ambient temperature. This extended range is validated per JEDEC JESD47 and supported by thermal characterization data in Section 7.9 of DS11585 Rev 20, enabling deployment in automotive under-hood modules and outdoor utility infrastructure without derating.

Does STM32L496QEI6TR support true hardware random number generation?

Yes, it integrates a NIST SP800-90B–certified True Random Number Generator (RNG) with entropy source based on analog noise and digital jitter. Output passes FIPS 140-2 statistical tests, and the RNG peripheral is accessible via RCC/RNG clock enable and RNG_CR/RNG_SR register interface per RM0351 reference manual.

Can STM32L496QEI6TR execute code directly from external QUADSPI flash?

No - the QUADSPI interface supports memory-mapped read-only access to external flash, but code execution requires copying to internal SRAM or using XIP with external memory controller (FSMC). The device lacks execute-in-place (XIP) capability from QUADSPI; internal flash remains the sole code-execution source.

How many independent voltage domains does STM32L496QEI6TR support for I/Os?

It supports three independent I/O voltage domains: VDD (1.71–3.6 V), VDDIO2 (1.08–3.6 V for up to 14 pins), and VBAT (1.65–3.6 V). This allows interfacing with 1.2 V logic, 1.8 V sensors, and 3.3 V peripherals simultaneously without level shifters, as confirmed in Section 3.13 and Table 15 of the datasheet.