EFM32TG842F16-QFP64 - 32MHz Cortex-M3 MCU | Silicon Labs
MPN: EFM32TG842F16-QFP64 ✓ ActiveEFM32TG842F16-QFP64 Overview
A microcontroller is a programmable semiconductor that integrates a processor core, memory, and peripherals into one device. The Cortex-M3 architecture provides a 32-bit processing platform for control logic, while the EFM32 family adds low-power operating modes suitable for battery-powered instrumentation, sensors, industrial controls, and connected products. Fast wake-up capability helps reduce the time required to resume useful computation after a low-power interval.
The EFM32TG842F16-QFP64 provides 16 KB of Flash for firmware and 4 KB of SRAM for working data. Its 53 digital I/O pins support external sensors, controls, indicators, and communication peripherals. Two 16-bit timers can provide counting, timing, pulse-width measurement, and periodic event generation. The listed operating supply range is 1.85 V to 3.8 V, allowing integration with common low-voltage embedded systems.
The Tiny Gecko platform emphasizes energy efficiency through low-energy techniques, fast wake-up times, and energy-saving modes. This makes the MCU relevant to designs where average power consumption matters as much as processing performance. At the same time, the 32 MHz Cortex-M3 core provides sufficient control bandwidth for low-to-moderate complexity embedded workloads without requiring a higher-power processor.
Typical uses include low-power sensor nodes, industrial monitoring equipment, metering devices, compact control panels, battery-operated instruments, and communication modules. Its 64-TQFP package exposes more I/O than smaller packages, making it useful when a design needs numerous discrete connections while retaining a surface-mount PCB footprint.
Designers should account for the 1.85 V to 3.8 V supply range, confirm every peripheral and alternate-function assignment against the pin table, and provide appropriate decoupling close to the supply pins. Firmware should also use the documented low-power modes and wake-up sources to achieve the intended battery-life target rather than relying on processing speed alone.
This product analysis combines the manufacturer device information with package, memory, timer, interface, and power attributes, alongside verified ordering variants and practical integration guidance. It is designed to help engineers compare capacity, pin availability, supply compatibility, and drop-in replacement options before committing a 64-TQFP PCB layout.
Drop-in alternatives for EFM32TG842F16-QFP64 — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
EFM32TG842F16-D-QFP64
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EFM32TG842F16-QFP64 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Type | 32-bit ARM Cortex-M3 microcontroller |
| Series | EFM32 Tiny Gecko |
| Processor Core | ARM Cortex-M3 |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 32 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 16 KB |
| RAM | 4 KB |
| Digital I/O Pins | 53 pins |
| Timers | 2 x 16-bit timers |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.85 V to 3.8 V |
| Package | 64-TQFP |
| Package Body Size | 10 mm x 10 mm |
| Architecture | 32-bit RISC |
| Encryption Support | AES |
| Display Support | LCD MCU |
| Low-Power Features | Energy-saving modes with fast wake-up |
| Mounting Type | Surface mount |
EFM32TG842F16-QFP64 10 mm x 10 mm Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EFM32TG842F16-QFP64 (10 mm x 10 mm package). This digital IC includes GPIO, communication interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C), and power pins. Refer to the manufacturer datasheet for alternate pin functions and configuration options. Essential for embedded system design and PCB layout.
No detailed pinout data available for EFM32TG842F16-QFP64.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EFM32TG842F16-QFP64 is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered Sensor Nodes, Industrial Monitoring Equipment, Compact Metering Devices, Local Control Panels, Battery-Operated Instruments, Embedded Communication Modules.
Battery-Powered Sensor Nodes
The EFM32TG842F16-QFP64 fits compact sensor nodes because its Tiny Gecko platform combines a 32 MHz ARM Cortex-M3 core with energy-saving modes and fast wake-up behavior. The MCU can remain between measurement events and resume quickly when a sensor or external interrupt requires attention. Its 4 KB RAM and 16 KB Flash support lightweight acquisition, filtering, and control code, while 53 digital I/O pins provide ample connections for sensors and status indicators. The principal design tradeoff is limited memory, so applications should avoid large buffering stacks or complex protocol stacks unless firmware is carefully partitioned.
Recommended
Industrial Monitoring Equipment
The EFM32TG842F16-QFP64 is well suited to industrial monitoring equipment that must collect several digital measurements and maintain a compact surface-mount footprint. Its 53 digital I/O pins can connect discrete sensors, alarm inputs, relay-control outputs, and local indicators, while the two 16-bit timers support periodic sampling or output timing. The 32 MHz Cortex-M3 core can execute control logic, filtering, diagnostics, and communication handling within the limits of 16 KB Flash and 4 KB RAM. For longer-term maintenance, use the low-power modes during idle intervals rather than leaving the core continuously active.
Recommended
Compact Metering Devices
The EFM32TG842F16-QFP64 supports compact metering designs that combine measurement, local display control, and low-power operation in one package. Its 16 KB Flash accommodates a focused metering application, 4 KB RAM provides a practical working area, and 53 digital I/O pins offer more external connections than a small microcontroller package. The two 16-bit timers are useful for capture, counting, and periodic measurement functions. Designers should reserve memory for stack depth, calibration constants, and communication buffers, and should verify the LCD and AES-related functions against the exact peripheral configuration in the manufacturer documentation.
Recommended
Local Control Panels
A 53-pin EFM32TG842F16-QFP64 can serve as the central controller in a local control panel containing buttons, indicators, sensors, and communication interfaces. Its 32 MHz Cortex-M3 core provides enough performance for responsive menu handling, state-machine control, and device management, while the two 16-bit timers support display or output timing functions. The LCD-oriented device family and AES capability can be valuable when the panel includes a display and local security requirements. Because the MCU offers only 16 KB Flash and 4 KB RAM, external storage or a larger-memory MCU may be needed for graphical interfaces, extensive logs, or multiple protocol stacks.
Recommended
Battery-Operated Instruments
The EFM32TG842F16-QFP64 is appropriate for battery-operated instruments where the enclosure includes numerous controls or sensor connections but the firmware remains compact. Its low-power Tiny Gecko architecture permits the design to sleep between user actions or scheduled measurements, while fast wake-up behavior supports responsive operation. The 32 MHz processor handles protocol servicing, control updates, and data preparation, and the 53 digital I/O pins reduce the need for external I/O expanders. Battery-life calculations should include radio and sensor activity as well as MCU sleep current; use the manufacturer power-management modes to avoid keeping the core and unused peripherals active.
Recommended
Embedded Communication Modules
The EFM32TG842F16-QFP64 can support small communication modules that connect sensors or actuators to a higher-level network. Its 53 digital I/O pins provide interfaces for a radio, sensor bus, status LEDs, and handshake signals, while the two 16-bit timers can support packet timing or periodic activity. At 32 MHz, the Cortex-M3 core is appropriate for lightweight protocol processing, but the 16 KB Flash and 4 KB RAM constrain the size of the application and protocol layers. A larger-memory MCU should be selected if encryption-heavy stacks, large buffers, or multiple concurrent protocols are required; otherwise, this device offers a compact low-power control platform.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EFM32TG842F16-QFP64 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EFM32TG842F16-D-QFP64 |
|---|---|---|
| Package | 64-TQFP (10 x 10 mm) | 64-TQFP (10 x 10 mm) |
| Brand | Silicon Labs | Silicon Labs |
| Processor Core | ARM Cortex-M3 | ARM Cortex-M3 |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 16 KB | 16 KB |
| RAM | 4 KB | 4 KB |
| Digital I/O Pins | 53 pins | 53 pins |
| Timers | 2 x 16-bit timers | 2 x 16-bit timers |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.85 V to 3.8 V | 1.85 V to 3.8 V |
| Series | EFM32 Tiny Gecko | EFM32 Tiny Gecko |
Key Differentiators
- Close same-resource drop-in ordering variant (vs EFM32TG842F16-D-QFP64)
- Substantial I/O capacity for a compact microcontroller (vs EFM32ZG110F4-B-QFN24)
- Low-power processing with substantial digital connectivity (vs STM32L051K8T6)
Design Notes
Keep the EFM32TG842F16-QFP64 supply within the documented 1.85 V to 3.8 V range, including startup and transient conditions. Place the manufacturer-recommended bypass capacitors directly beside the associated power and ground pins, and provide a short return path to the supply reference. The low-energy platform can reduce average consumption, but overall battery life still depends on how frequently the MCU wakes and how long external sensors and radios remain active.
Use the Silicon Labs 64-TQFP reference layout as the starting point for pad, routing, and via placement. Preserve short connections for supply and ground pins, avoid routing fast or sensitive signals beneath potential switching or high-current paths, and check the 10 x 10 mm body against the available board area. The 53 digital I/O pins provide extensive connectivity, but careful pin assignment can prevent signal crossings and improve assembly access.
Do not select this MCU solely by its 32 MHz clock rating. The 16 KB Flash and 4 KB RAM impose strict code-size and stack-budget limits, so estimate the compiled application, protocol stack, interrupt handlers, and retained variables before release. Confirm every alternate-function and peripheral assignment in the manufacturer pin-description table. Treating software support and peripheral resources as interchangeable across MCU families can create boards that compile but fail electrically.
The 32 MHz operating point generally favors a duty-cycled design when the application can tolerate intermittent processing. Use the device's documented low-power modes between measurement, display, or communication events, and measure current at the system level rather than relying only on processor-core activity. External radios, sensors, regulators, and LEDs can dominate energy use even when the Tiny Gecko MCU itself is placed in a low-power state.
Compliance Information
The manufacturer device page used for this listing does not state the compliance status of the exact EFM32TG842F16-QFP64 ordering code. Review current manufacturer compliance documentation before production release.
