If you're looking for a microcontroller that combines power, versatility, and low power consumption, the STM32L162ZCT6 might be just what you need. This microcontroller is part of STMicroelectronics' STM32L1 series, which targets battery-powered applications such as smart meters, industrial sensors, and portable medical devices.

In this article, we'll take a closer look at the features of the STM32L162ZCT6 and how you can use them to build efficient and reliable embedded systems.

Overview of the STM32L162ZCT6

The STM32L162ZCT6 is based on the ARM Cortex-M3 core, which provides a good balance between processing power and energy consumption. The microcontroller features 512KB of flash memory, 80KB of RAM, and a wide range of peripherals, including:

Up to 4 USARTs, 3 SPIs, and 2 I2Cs for communication

Up to 12-bit ADCs and 12-bit DACs for analog measurement and control

Up to 9 timers and 2 watchdogs for timekeeping and safety

Up to 114 GPIOs for interfacing with external devices

One of the key advantages of the STM32L162ZCT6 is its low power consumption. The microcontroller supports several power modes, including:

Run mode: the normal operating mode, with all peripherals and clocks enabled

Sleep mode: the CPU is stopped, but peripherals and clocks are still active

Stop mode: the CPU and most peripherals are stopped, but the SRAM and registers are preserved

Standby mode: the lowest power mode, where most of the internal and external clocks are stopped, and only wake-up events can reactivate the device

By carefully selecting the power mode and configuring the peripherals, you can achieve very low power consumption levels. For example, in Run mode with a 16MHz clock, the STM32L162ZCT6 typically consumes less than 200μA/MHz, which means around 100mA at full speed. In Stop mode, the current drops to a few μA, and in Standby mode, it can go down to a few nA.

Applications of the STM32L162ZCT6

Due to its low power consumption and rich feature set, the STM32L162ZCT6 can be used in a wide variety of applications, including:

Smart meters and energy monitors

The STM32L162ZCT6 provides all the interfaces and peripheries required to build smart electrical meters, gas meters, or water meters. By leveraging the ADCs and DACs, you can measure the voltage, current, and power consumption of a device, and communicate the data through a wired or wireless network. The microcontroller's low power modes are also very useful to minimize the energy consumption of the meter's electronics.

Industrial sensors and instrumentation

The STM32L162ZCT6 can be used as a data acquisition and control system for industrial applications such as temperature sensing, pressure sensing, or flow monitoring. The microcontroller's analog peripherals allow you to interface with various sensors and convert their output into meaningful data. The rich communication interfaces can be used to transmit the data to a central control unit for analysis and control.

Portable medical devices and wearables

The STM32L162ZCT6 is also a good fit for portable medical devices such as blood pressure monitors, glucose meters, or heart-rate monitors. The microcontroller's low power modes and compact form factor make it ideal for use in battery-powered devices that need to be small and efficient. The robust communication interfaces can be used to connect to other devices, such as smartphones or tablets, for data synchronization and analysis.

Getting Started with the STM32L162ZCT6

If you're new to the STM32L1 series, here are some resources to help you get started:

[STM32L1 Discovery board](https://www.st.com/en/evaluation-tools/32l-discovery-kit.html): a low-cost development board that features an STM32L152RCT6 microcontroller, a debugger/programmer, and several sensors and interfaces.

[STM32CubeMX software](https://www.st.com/en/development-tools/stm32cubemx.html): a graphical tool that helps you configure the microcontroller's peripherals and generate initialization code in C.

[STM32L1x Standard Peripheral Library](https://www.st.com/content/st_com/en/products/embedded-software/mcus-embedded-software/stm32-embedded-software/stm32-standard-peripheral-libraries/stsw-stm32077.html): a collection of functions and drivers that simplify the programming of the STM32L1 series.

Conclusion

The STM32L162ZCT6 is a versatile and efficient microcontroller that can meet the requirements of many battery-powered applications. By leveraging its power modes, peripherals, and software tools, you can reduce the energy consumption of your system while preserving its functionality and reliability. Whether you're building a smart meter, an industrial sensor, or a wearable device, the STM32L162ZCT6 might be the missing piece that makes your project a success.