STMicroelectronics STM32L496VGT3

Overview

STM32L496VGT3 from STMicroelectronics is an ultra-low-power Arm® Cortex®-M4 32-bit MCU with FPU, 80 MHz max frequency, 1 MB flash, 320 KB SRAM, and integrated USB OTG FS, audio interfaces (SAI), HASH (SHA-256), and external SMPS support. It operates from 1.71–3.6 V across –40 °C to +85 °C and delivers 100 DMIPS for battery-powered industrial sensors and portable medical devices.

For engineers reviewing the STM32L496VGT3 datasheet, STM32L496VGT3 pinout, STM32L496VGT3 application, or STM32L496VGT3 equivalent, key selection criteria include its 37 µA/MHz SMPS-run efficiency, dual-bank flash with read-while-write, Chrom-ART Accelerator for GUI rendering, 24-channel capacitive touch sensing, and hardware crypto acceleration - all in LQFP100 package.

Technical Context

The STM32L496VGT3 integrates an Adaptive Real-Time (ART) Accelerator enabling zero-wait-state execution from flash at 80 MHz, alongside a memory protection unit (MPU) and interconnect matrix for deterministic peripheral arbitration. Its FlexPowerControl architecture supports seven low-power modes, including Stop 2 (2.57 µA) and Standby with RTC (426 nA).

It features three independent PLLs (system, USB, audio), dual-clock domain operation (HSE/LSE + MSI), and dedicated analog subsystems: three 12-bit ADCs (5 Msps), two 12-bit DACs, two op-amps with PGA, and two ultra-low-power comparators - all with independent supply domains for mixed-signal integrity.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

LQFP100 package with 100 leads, 0.5 mm pitch, exposed thermal pad, JEDEC standard footprint. Pinout validated per STMicroelectronics DS11585 Rev 20, Section 4 (Pinouts and pin description), Table 15 (STM32L496xx pin definitions).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with STM32L476VGT6, the STM32L496VGT3 adds SAI and SMPS control for audio and efficient power delivery; versus STM32U575ZIT6, it retains analog-rich peripherals critical for medical and industrial signal acquisition - making it optimal for mixed-signal, battery-constrained systems needing both performance and feature completeness.

Availability

STM32L496VGT3 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for wearable health monitors, smart utility meters, industrial wireless sensor nodes, and portable medical diagnostic devices requiring stable component supply across long product lifecycles.

Supply support for STM32L496VGT3 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 semiconductors.

The STM32L4-series targets ultra-low-power embedded applications demanding extended battery life, rich analog integration, and secure firmware execution - especially in portable medical, industrial sensing, and smart metering.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency and core type of the STM32L496VGT3?

The STM32L496VGT3 features an Arm Cortex-M4 core with floating-point unit (FPU), rated for up to 80 MHz operation. It achieves 100 DMIPS and 3.42 CoreMark/MHz (273.55 total CoreMark) at this frequency, enabled by the ART Accelerator for zero-wait-state flash execution.

Does the STM32L496VGT3 support external SMPS, and how does it affect power consumption?

Yes - the STM32L496VGT3 includes dedicated SMPS control signals (SMPS_EN, SMPS_VOUT, SMPS_FB) to drive external switching regulators. In SMPS mode, active current drops to 37 µA/MHz (vs. 91 µA/MHz in LDO mode), significantly extending battery life in always-on applications like environmental sensors.

Which package variant corresponds to the 'VGT3' suffix, and what are its key mechanical attributes?

The 'VGT3' suffix denotes the LQFP100 package: 100-pin, 14 × 14 mm body, 0.5 mm lead pitch, exposed thermal pad, and RoHS-compliant ECOPACK2 finish. It supports reflow soldering per J-STD-020 and provides robust thermal dissipation for sustained 80 MHz operation.

Can the STM32L496VGT3 execute code while writing to flash, and how is this implemented?

Yes - it implements dual-bank flash architecture with Read-While-Write (RWW) capability. One bank executes code while the other is programmed or erased, enabling seamless firmware updates without halting application logic - critical for fail-safe OTA deployments in remote or safety-critical systems.