STMicroelectronics STM8L152K4U6

Overview

STM8L152K4U6 from STMicroelectronics is an 8-bit ultra-low-power microcontroller featuring 16 MHz STM8 core, 16 KB Flash, 1 KB Data EEPROM with ECC, RTC, LCD controller (4×28 segments), 12-bit ADC (1 Msps, 25 channels), and dual ultra-low-power comparators. It operates from 1.65 V to 3.6 V and supports -40 °C to 85 °C industrial temperature range, targeting battery-powered metering and portable medical devices.

For engineers reviewing the STM8L152K4U6 datasheet, STM8L152K4U6 pinout, STM8L152K4U6 application, or STM8L152K4U6 equivalent, key selection considerations include active-halt current (1.3 µA with RTC), Halt mode leakage (350 nA), LCD segment drive capability, SWIM debug interface compatibility, and capacitive touch sensing support across up to 16 channels.

Technical Context

The STM8L152K4U6 implements a Harvard-architecture STM8 core with 3-stage pipeline and 16 CISC MIPS peak performance 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 with clock security system.

Power management includes five low-power modes-Wait, Low Power Run (5.1 µA), Low Power Wait (3 µA), Active-Halt with full RTC (1.3 µA), and Halt (350 nA)-with fast 4.7 µs wakeup from Halt. The device integrates a BCD calendar RTC with alarm and auto-wakeup, plus dedicated beeper timer (1/2/4 kHz).

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

STM8L152K4U6 is housed in a 32-pin UFQFPN package (5 × 5 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) with exposed thermal pad. Pin functions are fully mappable to interrupt vectors, supporting flexible PCB layout and signal routing for space-constrained designs.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with STM8L152K6U6, the K4 variant trades Flash capacity for cost-sensitive deployments; versus STM32L053R8T6, it delivers lower active and standby current at the expense of instruction set flexibility and peripheral richness - making it optimal for deeply embedded, battery-limited roles where deterministic 8-bit control suffices.

Availability

STM8L152K4U6 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for smart utility metering, portable medical devices, industrial sensor nodes, and home automation controllers requiring stable component supply and long-term lifecycle assurance.

Supply support for STM8L152K4U6 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 analog products for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.

The STM8L ultra-low-power MCU product line targets energy-constrained applications such as battery-operated meters, wearables, and IoT edge nodes - emphasizing sub-µA sleep currents, integrated analog peripherals, and robust operation across extended temperature ranges.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency and corresponding power consumption of STM8L152K4U6?

The STM8L152K4U6 achieves a maximum operating frequency of 16 MHz using the HSE crystal or factory-trimmed 16 MHz RC oscillator. At this speed and 3.0 V supply, typical active-mode current is 195 µA/MHz + 440 µA (≈2.0 mA total), verified per DS6372 Rev 17 Table 20. Lower frequencies reduce dynamic current proportionally, while low-power run mode maintains 5.1 µA at 1 MHz.

Does STM8L152K4U6 support hardware-accelerated capacitive touch sensing?

Yes - the device integrates a dedicated touch sensing controller supporting up to 16 channels with hardware scanning, noise filtering, and baseline auto-calibration. It enables touchkey, proximity, linear slider, and rotary wheel interfaces without external components or CPU overhead, as documented in Section 3.13 of DS6372.

Can the internal 12-bit DAC output drive external loads directly?

The integrated 12-bit DAC features an internal output buffer capable of sourcing/sinking ±5 mA, enabling direct connection to op-amp inputs, LED drivers, or low-impedance transducers. Output is available on PB4–PB6 pins; full specifications including linearity error (±1 LSB INL) and settling time (10 µs) are provided in DS6372 Table 50 and Table 51.

Is SWIM debug supported in all low-power modes?

SWIM debug remains accessible in Run, Wait, and Low Power Wait modes, allowing real-time variable inspection and breakpoint insertion. However, it is disabled in Active-Halt and Halt modes to preserve ultra-low current - debug session must be re-established after wakeup. This behavior is defined in Section 3.19 and Table 10 of the datasheet.