Microcontrollers (MCUs) are the heart of many embedded systems, providing the computational power and flexibility required to execute complex tasks with minimal space, cost, and power consumption. Among the many options available in the market, the STM32 family from STMicroelectronics stands out for its wide variety of products, ranging from simple 8-bit devices to advanced 32-bit processors with high-speed interfaces, analog peripherals, and extensive software support.

In this article, we will focus on one of the latest additions to the STM32L4 series, the STM32L471VET6TR. This MCU combines low-power consumption, high processing performance, and a rich set of onboard resources that enable a wide range of applications, from Internet of Things (IoT) devices to wearables, industrial sensors, and smart homes.

STM32L471VET6TR Overview

The STM32L471VET6TR is a 32-bit Arm Cortex-M4 MCU that operates at a maximum clock frequency of 80 MHz, delivering up to 100 DMIPS (Dhrystone Million Instructions Per Second) of performance. The device integrates 512 KB of Flash memory, 160 KB of SRAM, and 4 KB of backup SRAM, which provides data retention during power-off periods.

In addition, the STM32L471VET6TR includes a rich set of peripherals, such as:

Up to two I2C interfaces, supporting Fast-mode Plus (1 Mbps), SMBus, and I2C-bus protocols, with up to 20 mA sink capability and programmable analog filters for noise reduction.

Up to five USART/UART interfaces, supporting data rates up to 10.5 Mbps, hardware flow control, and synchronous mode with SPI/I2S protocols.

Up to two SPI interfaces, supporting full-duplex, half-duplex, and simplex modes, with data rates up to 80 Mbps and optional DMA support.

A high-resolution timer (TIM1) with seven complementary PWM outputs, dead-time insertion, and advanced motor control features.

A real-time clock (RTC) with sub-second accuracy, calendar functions, temperature compensation, and battery backup.

A 16-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with up to 1 MSPS sampling rate, up to 16 channels, and hardware oversampling for increased resolution.

A 12-bit digital-to-analog converter (DAC) with two output channels, buffered voltage reference, and optional external trigger.

A true random number generator (RNG) for secure cryptographic applications.

Multiple low-power modes, enabling energy-efficient operation in various scenarios.

STM32L471VET6TR Applications

The STM32L471VET6TR is suitable for a wide range of low-power applications that require high processing performance and rich connectivity options. Some example applications include:

IoT Devices

IoT devices are characterized by their ability to sense, process, and communicate data from the physical world to the cloud, enabling remote monitoring, control, and analysis. The STM32L471VET6TR is well suited for this type of application, thanks to its low-power peripherals and advanced communication interfaces that support popular protocols such as Bluetooth low energy (BLE), Wi-Fi, Zigbee, and LoRaWAN. For example, the device can be used as a sensor node that reads temperature, humidity, and air quality data from the environment, and sends it to a central gateway for further analysis and visualization.

Wearables

Wearables are portable devices that are worn on the body and provide a wide range of functionalities, from fitness tracking to health monitoring, communication, and entertainment. The STM32L471VET6TR can be used as a core component of a wearable device, due to its small form factor, low power consumption, and rich set of peripherals that enable features such as heart-rate monitoring, gesture recognition, and voice-based interaction. For example, the device can be used in a smartwatch that displays notifications, tracks fitness metrics, and streams music to wireless earbuds.

Industrial Sensors

Industrial sensors are used in a variety of manufacturing, monitoring, and control applications, where they detect various physical parameters such as temperature, pressure, vibration, and flow. The STM32L471VET6TR can be used to develop industrial sensors that provide high accuracy, reliability, and battery life, while minimizing the size and weight of the device. For example, the device can be used in a gas detector that measures the concentration of toxic gases in a chemical plant, and sends an alarm signal to the control system in case of a dangerous level.

Smart Homes

Smart homes are equipped with various Internet-connected devices that enhance the comfort, convenience, and security of the residents, while minimizing energy consumption and environmental impact. The STM32L471VET6TR can be used as a hub or node in a smart home system, due to its low-power connectivity options and advanced processing capabilities that enable features such as voice control, ambient sensing, and adaptive lighting. For example, the device can be used in a smart thermostat that adjusts the temperature and humidity of the room based on the occupancy, time of day, and weather forecast.

STM32L471VET6TR Development

Developing applications for the STM32L471VET6TR is facilitated by a rich set of development tools and resources provided by STMicroelectronics, as well as a large community of developers and users who share their knowledge and experience. Some of the tools and resources include:

STM32CubeMX, a graphical tool that allows users to configure the MCU peripherals and generate code templates for various development environments.

STM32CubeIDE, a free integrated development environment (IDE) that supports C and C++ programming, debugging, and profiling for STM32 MCUs.

STM32CubeHAL, a hardware abstraction layer (HAL) that provides a set of standardized APIs for accessing the MCU peripherals and low-level routines.

STM32CubeF4, a software framework that provides examples, libraries, and middleware for various application domains.

STSW-STM32138, a USB driver that enables communication between the MCU and the host computer via a virtual COM port.

STSW-STM32095, a bootloader that allows users to update the firmware of the MCU via a serial or USB interface.

ST Community, a forum platform that allows users to ask questions, share solutions, and collaborate with other developers.

Conclusion

The STM32L471VET6TR is a powerful and versatile MCU that combines high performance, low power consumption, and rich functionality, making it ideal for a wide range of applications in various domains. Whether you are developing an IoT device, a wearable, an industrial sensor, or a smart home system, the STM32L471VET6TR can provide the processing power and connectivity options you need, while optimizing the energy efficiency and usability of your solution. With the help of the development tools and resources available from STMicroelectronics and the STM32 community, you can unleash the full potential of the STM32L471VET6TR and bring your innovative ideas to life.