STMicroelectronics STM8AL3168TCY

Overview

STM8AL3168TCY 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, and LCD controller supporting up to 4×28 segments. It operates from 1.65 V to 3.6 V across –40 °C to 125 °C and targets battery-powered automotive body electronics such as door modules and smart sensors.

For engineers reviewing the STM8AL3168TCY datasheet, STM8AL3168TCY pinout, STM8AL3168TCY application, or STM8AL3168TCY equivalent, key selection criteria include its 400 nA halt-mode current, 4.7 µs wakeup time, 1.3 μA active-halt mode with full RTC, ISO 7816/IR/LIN-capable USART, and LQFP48 package compatibility for automotive ECU designs requiring extended temperature operation and long-term supply stability.

Technical Context

The STM8AL3168TCY implements a Harvard-architecture STM8 core with 3-stage pipeline, delivering 16 CISC MIPS at 16 MHz. 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, all managed by a clock security system to prevent run-time failure.

Power management includes five configurable low-power modes-Wait, low-power Run (5.1 μA), low-power Wait (3 μA), active-Halt with RTC (1.3 μA), and Halt with PDR (400 nA)-and supports fast wake-up from Halt in 4.7 µs. The device features dual watchdogs (window and independent), beeper timer, and DMA with four channels servicing ADC, DAC, SPI, I²C, USART, and timers.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

LQFP48 package (7 × 7 mm, 0.5 mm pitch), RoHS-compliant, ECOPACK2 qualified. Pin count and layout match STM8AL31x8T variant without LCD functionality.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with STM8AL3L68TCY, the STM8AL3168TCY saves board space and cost by omitting LCD circuitry, while outperforming RL78/F13-GB in RTC accuracy, wakeup latency, and analog integration-critical for ASIL-B–aligned subsystems.

Availability

STM8AL3168TCY is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive body control modules, battery monitoring systems, and engine bay sensor nodes requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long product lifecycles.

Supply support for STM8AL3168TCY 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 devices, sensors, and analog ICs for automotive, industrial, and consumer markets.

The STM8AL3x series is part of ST's automotive ultra-low-power MCU portfolio, engineered specifically for battery-sensitive, high-reliability applications including door modules, smart sensors, and body electronics operating from –40 °C to +125 °C.

FAQ

What is the minimum supply voltage for reliable operation in Halt mode?

The STM8AL3168TCY maintains full functionality-including RTC and RAM retention-in Halt mode down to 1.65 V. At this voltage, typical current consumption is 400 nA with PDR enabled, and the device guarantees safe reset behavior via its ultra-low-power POR/PDR circuitry. Operation below 1.65 V is outside specification and may result in data corruption or unpredictable reset behavior.

Does the STM8AL3168TCY support LIN 2.0 physical layer directly?

Yes-the integrated USART supports LIN 2.0 protocol stack implementation via software, and its hardware includes automatic sync-break detection, checksum generation, and configurable baud rates down to 1.2 kbps. No external LIN transceiver is required for basic node functionality, though a compliant transceiver (e.g., TLE7259-3GE) is needed for bus-level compliance and ESD protection.

How many I/O pins support external interrupt capability?

All 41 GPIOs (PA0–PA7, PB0–PB7, PC0–PC7, PD0–PD7, PE0–PE7) are individually mappable to external interrupt vectors. Each port supports edge-selectable (rising/falling/both) interrupts with priority arbitration handled by the nested interrupt controller, enabling responsive event-driven firmware for multi-sensor automotive nodes.

Is the 12-bit DAC output buffered and rail-to-rail?

Yes-the integrated 12-bit DAC features an internal output buffer capable of driving loads down to 5 kΩ with rail-to-rail swing (VSS to VDD). This eliminates the need for external op-amps in applications like LED bias control or analog setpoint generation, and the buffer is enabled by default upon DAC activation per the reference manual section 3.10.