STMicroelectronics STM8AL3168TCX
- Part No.:
- STM8AL3168TCX
- Manufacturer:
- STMicroelectronics
- Category:
- Microcontrollers
- Package:
- 48-LQFP
- Datasheet:
-
STM8AL3168TCX.pdf
- Description:
- IC MCU 8BIT 32KB FLASH 48LQFP
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

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Product details
Overview
STM8AL3168TCX from STMicroelectronics is an AEC-Q100 qualified automotive-grade 8-bit ultra-low-power MCU featuring 32 Kbyte Flash, 2 Kbyte RAM, 1 Kbyte data EEPROM, 12-bit ADC (25 channels, up to 1 Mbps), 12-bit DAC with output buffer, two ultra-low-power comparators, RTC with BCD calendar and auto-wakeup (0.95 ppm resolution), and LCD controller supporting up to 4×28 segments - deployed in battery-powered instrument clusters and body control modules.
For engineers reviewing the STM8AL3168TCX datasheet, STM8AL3168TCX pinout, STM8AL3168TCX application, or STM8AL3168TCX equivalent, key selection criteria include AEC-Q100 qualification, sub-μA low-power modes (down to 400 nA in Halt with PDR), 1.8–3.6 V operation (1.65 V min at power down), 41 mappable I/Os, and integrated LIN 2.0/USART support for automotive networked sensing.
Technical Context
The STM8AL3168TCX implements a Harvard-architecture STM8 core with 3-stage pipeline, delivering 16 CISC MIPS at 16 MHz max frequency and supporting up to 40 external interrupt sources. Its clock system integrates dual crystal oscillators (1–16 MHz HSE and 32 kHz LSE), factory-trimmed 16 MHz RC, and 38 kHz low-consumption RC with clock security system.
Power management includes five configurable low-power modes: Wait (typ. 5.1 μA), low-power Wait (3 μA), active-halt with full RTC (1.3 μA), and Halt with PDR (400 nA). The RTC operates independently in Halt mode with periodic wakeup capability and alarm interrupt, while the ultra-low leakage I/Os draw only 50 nA per pin.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Core Architecture | Harvard, 3-stage pipeline STM8 CPU; enables deterministic real-time execution and efficient code density for safety-critical automotive firmware. |
| Max Operating Frequency | 16 MHz; delivers 16 CISC MIPS peak performance while maintaining ultra-low power consumption in automotive ambient conditions. |
| Flash / EEPROM / RAM | 32 Kbyte Flash (20-year retention at 55 °C), 1 Kbyte true data EEPROM (300 kcycle endurance), 2 Kbyte RAM - supports robust firmware updates and parameter storage. |
| ADC / DAC | 12-bit ADC with 25 channels, 1 Mbps sampling; 12-bit DAC with output buffer - enables high-resolution sensor acquisition and analog actuator control without external components. |
| Low-Power Modes | Five modes including Halt with PDR (400 nA) and active-halt with RTC (1.3 μA); allows continuous timekeeping and event-triggered wakeup in always-on vehicle subsystems. |
| Operating Voltage / Temp | 1.8–3.6 V supply (down to 1.65 V at power down); -40 °C to 125 °C extended temperature range - certified for under-hood and dashboard applications. |
| Communication Interfaces | SPI, I²C (400 kHz SMBus/PMBus), USART with ISO 7816, IrDA, LIN 1.3/2.0 - provides native connectivity to automotive sensors, ECUs, and diagnostic tools. |
Pinout & Package
LQFP48 package (7 × 7 mm, 0.5 mm pitch), RoHS-compliant, ECOPACK®2 qualified. Pin count and function mapping align with STM8AL31x8T variant (non-LCD configuration).
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| VDD, VSS | Power supply and ground | Dual VDD/VSS pairs ensure stable core and I/O domain operation across wide temperature and noise environments. |
| NRST | Active-low reset input | Accepts external reset; integrated ultra-low-power POR/PDR and programmable voltage detector (PVD) enable robust brownout recovery. |
| PA0–PA7, PB0–PB7, PC0–PC7, PD0–PD7, PE0–PE7 | General-purpose I/Os | All 41 pins support interrupt vector mapping, enabling flexible wake-up source assignment for low-power monitoring tasks. |
| OSC_IN / OSC_OUT | HSE crystal oscillator interface | Supports 1–16 MHz external crystal; paired with internal 32 kHz LSE for independent RTC clocking during deep sleep. |
| SWIM | Single-wire interface for debug | Enables non-intrusive on-chip programming and fast debugging without dedicated JTAG pins - reduces PCB footprint and BOM cost. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualification | Validated for automotive use from -40 °C to 125 °C, meeting stress test requirements for engine bay and cabin electronics. |
| Ultra-low-power RTC with auto-wakeup | 0.95 ppm resolution and periodic interrupt capability in active-halt mode - enables precise time-based scheduling without CPU intervention. |
| Integrated LIN 2.0 physical layer support | USART hardware acceleration for LIN frame generation, checksum, and sync field detection - eliminates need for external transceiver in simple nodes. |
| True data EEPROM with 300 kcycle endurance | Persistent storage for calibration data, odometer values, or fault logs without external serial EEPROM - improves system reliability and reduces component count. |
| Two rail-to-rail ultra-low-power comparators | One comparator with fixed threshold and one with adjustable reference; both support wakeup from Halt - ideal for battery voltage monitoring and intrusion detection. |
Applications
| Instrument Cluster Display Control | Body Control Module (BCM) Subsystem |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Driving digital gauges, warning indicators, and backlight dimming in automotive dashboards with minimal power draw between ignition cycles. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary MCU managing CAN/LIN communication, PWM-driven LED drivers, and real-time clock-synchronized display refresh. Use Value: Integrated LCD controller (4×28 segments) and 12-bit DAC eliminate external display drivers; 400 nA Halt mode extends battery backup runtime during vehicle sleep. |
Use Scenario: Monitoring door lock status, window position, mirror adjustment, and interior lighting in entry-level vehicles with cost-sensitive BOM targets. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Standalone node MCU handling discrete I/O scanning, LIN bus messaging, and timed relay actuation via advanced control timer. Use Value: 41 mappable I/Os and LIN 2.0 support reduce external logic; 1.3 μA active-halt mode enables always-on intrusion detection without draining 12 V battery. |
| Engine Bay Sensor Interface Unit | Smart Battery Management Node |
Use Scenario: Acquiring temperature, pressure, and throttle position signals near engine compartments where thermal stability and EMI resilience are critical. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Analog front-end processor with 12-bit ADC (25 ch), internal temp sensor, and 1.8–3.6 V operation tolerant of load-dump transients. Use Value: On-chip 12-bit ADC accuracy (±1.5 LSB INL) and 1 Mbps sampling rate enable high-fidelity sensor fusion; AEC-Q100 qualification ensures long-term reliability. |
Use Scenario: Monitoring 12 V lead-acid battery health in start-stop systems, logging voltage decay, charge cycles, and fault events over vehicle lifetime. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-power data logger using RTC alarm interrupts, 1 Kbyte EEPROM for 300k-cycle parameter storage, and ultra-low leakage I/Os (50 nA/pin). Use Value: 400 nA Halt mode with PDR preserves state during extended parking; 20-year Flash retention guarantees firmware integrity across 15+ year vehicle service life. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar automotive 8-bit microcontroller applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| STM8AL3166TCX | Same die, 32 Kbyte Flash but no LCD controller; lacks step-up converter and LCD segment drivers. | Used in non-display applications like LIN gateways or sensor nodes where LCD is unnecessary. | Select when display functionality is omitted to reduce cost and simplify layout; retains identical low-power modes and peripheral set except LCD. |
| RL78/F13-F14 (Renesas) | AEC-Q100 Grade 1 16-bit RL78 core; lower active current (125 μA/MHz) but higher pin count and toolchain licensing overhead. | Preferred in new designs requiring future scalability to larger memory or enhanced peripherals like motor control timers. | Choose for migration paths requiring 16-bit performance headroom or Renesas ecosystem integration; not drop-in compatible due to architecture and pinout differences. |
Compared with STM8AL3166TCX, the STM8AL3168TCX adds LCD driver capability at no penalty to low-power operation; versus RL78/F14, it offers lower BOM cost and simpler firmware development for established 8-bit automotive functions, though with less computational headroom.
Availability
STM8AL3168TCX is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive instrument clusters, body control modules, and engine bay sensor interfaces requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles and stringent environmental qualification.
Supply support for STM8AL3168TCX 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 specializing in automotive, industrial, and power management solutions, with broad portfolio coverage from MCUs to power discretes and sensors.
The STM8AL3x series is designed specifically for ultra-low-power automotive applications demanding AEC-Q100 compliance, extended temperature operation, and integrated analog peripherals - targeting cost-sensitive, safety-aware subsystems.
FAQ
Is STM8AL3168TCX pin-compatible with other STM8AL31xx variants?
Yes - the STM8AL3168TCX in LQFP48 shares identical pinout with STM8AL3166TCX and STM8AL3148TCX. Differences are limited to internal feature enablement (e.g., LCD controller presence) and option byte configuration; no PCB redesign is needed when upgrading within the same package.
What is the maximum achievable ADC sampling rate and accuracy under automotive operating conditions?
The 12-bit ADC achieves up to 1 Mbps sampling (1 μs conversion time) with ±1.5 LSB integral nonlinearity and ±1.0 LSB differential nonlinearity at VDDA = 2.5–3.3 V and TA = -40 to 125 °C, as verified in DS7106 Rev 9 Table 57. Internal reference and temperature sensor are calibrated at factory.
Does STM8AL3168TCX support LIN 2.0 protocol natively in hardware?
Yes - the integrated USART includes LIN-specific hardware features: automatic sync field detection, break field generation, checksum calculation (classic and enhanced), and identifier filtering. No firmware bit-banging is required for LIN 2.0 frame handling.
How does the RTC maintain accuracy during ultra-low-power Halt mode?
The RTC runs from the 32 kHz LSE crystal oscillator independently of the main CPU clock domain. In active-halt mode, it achieves 0.95 ppm resolution (≈2.7 seconds/year drift) with BCD calendar, alarm interrupt, and periodic wakeup - all fully functional at 1.3 μA total current draw.
STM8AL3168TCX Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- STMicroelectronics
- Package/Case:
- 48-LQFP
- Series:
- STM8A
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Active
- Programmable:
- Not Verified
- Core Processor:
- STM8
- Core Size:
- 8-Bit
- Speed:
- 16MHz
- Connectivity:
- I2C, IrDA, LINbus, SPI, UART/USART
- Peripherals:
- Brown-out Detect/Reset, DMA, POR, PWM, WDT
- Number of I/O:
- 41
- Program Memory Size:
- 32KB (32K x 8)
- Program Memory Type:
- FLASH
- EEPROM Size:
- 1K x 8
- RAM Size:
- 2K x 8
- Voltage - Supply (Vcc/Vdd):
- 1.65V ~ 3.6V
- Data Converters:
- A/D 25x12b; D/A 1x12b
- Oscillator Type:
- Internal
- Operating Temperature:
- -40°C ~ 125°C (TA)
- Grade:
- Automotive
- Qualification:
- AEC-Q100
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
STM8AL3168TCX FAQ
1.How can I place an order for STM8AL3168TCX through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for STM8AL3168TCX on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.
2.Are the price and stock information for STM8AL3168TCX reliable?
The price and inventory of STM8AL3168TCX are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for STM8AL3168TCX is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for STM8AL3168TCX?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for STM8AL3168TCX transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for STM8AL3168TCX?
STM8AL3168TCX orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your STM8AL3168TCX order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.
Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.
5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for STM8AL3168TCX?
For technical support, including STM8AL3168TCX datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your STM8AL3168TCX requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that STM8AL3168TCX is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All STM8AL3168TCX products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that STM8AL3168TCX meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of STM8AL3168TCX?
All STM8AL3168TCX units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with STM8AL3168TCX, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:
1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.
2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.
3.The STM8AL3168TCX part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for STM8AL3168TCX:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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