STMicroelectronics X-NUCLEO-OUT10A1

Overview

X-NUCLEO-OUT10A1 from STMicroelectronics is an industrial digital output expansion board for STM32 Nucleo platforms, built around the IPS161HF single high-side switch. It delivers 0.5 A (typ.) per channel, supports 12–33 V operation (extendable to 60 V), features 3 kV galvanic isolation via optocouplers, and provides open-load detection, thermal shutdown, and reverse-polarity protection - enabling rapid evaluation of safety-critical digital output modules in PLC I/O and industrial control systems.

For engineers reviewing the X-NUCLEO-OUT10A1 datasheet, X-NUCLEO-OUT10A1 pinout, X-NUCLEO-OUT10A1 application, or X-NUCLEO-OUT10A1 equivalent, this board serves as a validated hardware platform for evaluating IPS161HF-based high-side switching, diagnostics, and cascade-safe architecture in STM32-based industrial automation designs.

Technical Context

The board implements a single-channel industrial digital output stage using the IPS161HF high-side switch in PowerSSO-12L package, driven via isolated GPIO signals through ACPL-217-50AE optocouplers. It supports both Arduino™ UNO R3 and ST Morpho headers for flexible stacking with NUCLEO-F401RE or NUCLEO-G431RB baseboards.

Hardware-configurable features include fast discharge for capacitive loads, output voltage sensing, and surge pulse protection on the output line. Diagnostics are signaled via red LED (open load, cut-off, overheating) and green LED (output ON/OFF status), with dedicated jumpers (J1, J2, SW1/SW2) enabling extended voltage range and diagnostic modes.

Key Specifications

Availability

X-NUCLEO-OUT10A1 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial PLC I/O design, safety-critical digital output validation, and STM32-based industrial automation prototyping requiring stable component supply and certified reference hardware.

Supply support for X-NUCLEO-OUT10A1 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, specializing in microcontrollers, power management, analog, and industrial ICs with strong focus on automotive, industrial, and IoT applications.

X-NUCLEO-OUT10A1 belongs to ST's X-NUCLEO expansion board family, designed specifically to accelerate development of industrial-grade digital output modules compliant with functional safety standards and interoperable with STM32 Nucleo development environments.

FAQ

What microcontroller boards is X-NUCLEO-OUT10A1 compatible with?

X-NUCLEO-OUT10A1 is designed to interface directly with NUCLEO-F401RE and NUCLEO-G431RB development boards via Arduino™ UNO R3 connectors. It supports stacking with identical or complementary shields (e.g., X-NUCLEO-OUT08A1) and can be adapted to other Nucleo boards using ST Morpho headers - though those require manual soldering of unmounted pins per DB4176 Rev 2.

Does X-NUCLEO-OUT10A1 support functional safety certification?

Yes - the board implements hardware features aligned with IEC 61508 and ISO 13849 requirements, including diagnostics (open-load, overtemperature, overload), galvanic isolation, and cascade-ready architecture. It is intended for use in developing SIL-2-capable digital output modules, and is referenced in ST's X-CUBE-IPS software expansion for safety-aware driver development.

How is output current limited and protected?

Current limiting and protection are handled by the IPS161HF IC: it features internal current-sense circuitry triggering automatic cutoff during overload, plus thermal shutdown at junction temperatures exceeding 150 °C. The board also includes external surge protection (SM15T10AY) and reverse-polarity protection (D1 STPS1H100A), ensuring robust operation under industrial transients and wiring faults.

Can multiple X-NUCLEO-OUT10A1 boards be used together?

Yes - up to four X-NUCLEO-OUT10A1 boards can be stacked to evaluate a quad-channel digital output module, each delivering 0.5 A (typ.). Alternatively, two boards can be cascaded (first board's output powers second board's supply) to validate safety architectures where channel independence and fault propagation control are critical - as documented in DB4176 Rev 2.