STM32F103CBT6 - 128KB Flash ARM Cortex-M3 MCU | STMicroelectronics
MPN: STM32F103CBT6 β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.32 | $4.32 |
| 10 | $3.89 | $38.90 |
| 100 | $3.46 | $346.00 |
| 500 | $3.11 | $1,555.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.76 | $2,760.00 |
Drop-in alternatives for STM32F103CBT6 β same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
STM32F103C8T6
β Drop-Inβ 99,999 In Stock
$2.1 / Unit
View Datasheet βSTM32F103CBT7
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
STM32F103CBT6TR
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
STM32F103CBT6 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | ARM Cortex-M3 |
| Max Clock Speed | 72 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 128 KB |
| SRAM | 20 KB |
| Supply Voltage | 2.0 V to 3.6 V |
| GPIO Pins | 37 |
| ADC | 2x 12-bit, 10 channels |
| Timers | 4x 16-bit (3 general-purpose + 1 advanced) |
| Communication Interfaces | 2x I2C, 2x SPI, 3x USART, USB 2.0 FS, CAN 2.0B |
| DMA | 7 channels |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C |
| Package | LQFP-48 (7x7 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| AEC-Q100 | Not qualified (standard grade) |
STM32F103CBT6 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VBAT β Battery backup supply for RTC |
| Pin 2 | PC13 β GPIO / RTC tamper |
| Pin 3 | PC14 β GPIO / OSC32_IN |
| Pin 4 | PC15 β GPIO / OSC32_OUT |
| Pin 5 | PD0 β GPIO / OSC_IN |
| Pin 6 | PD1 β GPIO / OSC_OUT |
| Pin 7 | NRST β Reset (active low) |
| Pin 8 | VSSA β Analog ground |
| Pin 9 | VDDA β Analog power supply |
| Pin 10 | PA0 β GPIO / ADC_IN0 / TIM2_CH1 |
| Pin 11 | PA1 β GPIO / ADC_IN1 / TIM2_CH2 |
| Pin 12 | PA2 β GPIO / ADC_IN2 / USART2_TX |
| Pin 13 | PA3 β GPIO / ADC_IN3 / USART2_RX |
| Pin 14 | PA4 β GPIO / ADC_IN4 / SPI1_NSS |
| Pin 15 | PA5 β GPIO / ADC_IN5 / SPI1_SCK |
| Pin 16 | PA6 β GPIO / ADC_IN6 / SPI1_MISO |
| Pin 17 | PA7 β GPIO / ADC_IN7 / SPI1_MOSI |
| Pin 18 | PB0 β GPIO / ADC_IN8 / TIM3_CH3 |
| Pin 19 | PB1 β GPIO / ADC_IN9 / TIM3_CH4 |
| Pin 20 | PB2 β GPIO / BOOT1 |
| Pin 21 | PB10 β GPIO / I2C2_SCL / USART3_TX |
| Pin 22 | PB11 β GPIO / I2C2_SDA / USART3_RX |
| Pin 23 | PB12 β GPIO / SPI2_NSS / I2S2_WS |
| Pin 24 | PB13 β GPIO / SPI2_SCK / I2S2_CK |
| Pin 25 | PB14 β GPIO / SPI2_MISO / I2S2_MCK |
| Pin 26 | PB15 β GPIO / SPI2_MOSI / I2S2_SD |
| Pin 27 | PA8 β GPIO / MCO / TIM1_CH1 |
| Pin 28 | PA9 β GPIO / USART1_TX / TIM1_CH2 |
| Pin 29 | PA10 β GPIO / USART1_RX / TIM1_CH3 |
| Pin 30 | PA11 β GPIO / USB_DM / CAN_RX |
| Pin 31 | PA12 β GPIO / USB_DP / CAN_TX |
| Pin 32 | PA13 β GPIO / SWDIO |
| Pin 33 | VSS_2 β Ground |
| Pin 34 | VDD_2 β Power supply |
| Pin 35 | PA14 β GPIO / SWCLK |
| Pin 36 | PA15 β GPIO / JTDI |
| Pin 37 | PB3 β GPIO / JTDO |
| Pin 38 | PB4 β GPIO / NJTRST |
| Pin 39 | PB5 β GPIO / I2C1_SMBA |
| Pin 40 | PB6 β GPIO / I2C1_SCL / TIM4_CH1 |
| Pin 41 | PB7 β GPIO / I2C1_SDA / TIM4_CH2 |
| Pin 42 | BOOT0 β Boot mode selection |
| Pin 43 | PB8 β GPIO / CAN_RX / TIM4_CH3 |
| Pin 44 | PB9 β GPIO / CAN_TX / TIM4_CH4 |
| Pin 45 | VSS_1 β Ground |
| Pin 46 | VDD_1 β Power supply |
| Pin 47 | PD2 β GPIO / TIM3_ETR |
| Pin 48 | PC12 β GPIO / USART3_CK |
Safe Operating Area (SOA) & Thermal Characteristics
No official SOA curve available for this digital IC. Always operate within absolute maximum ratings specified in the datasheet. Ensure adequate cooling and derate as needed.
Typical Applications
STM32F103CBT6 is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Systems, Motor Drives, Consumer Electronics, Medical Devices, IoT Gateways, Automotive Electronics.
Industrial Control Systems
The STM32F103CBT6 is ideal for industrial control systems due to its robust set of timers, ADCs, and communication interfaces. Its 72 MHz Cortex-M3 core provides sufficient processing power for real-time control loops, while the CAN interface enables integration into industrial fieldbus networks. The device's wide operating temperature range (-40C to +85C) ensures reliable operation in harsh factory environments. In a typical PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) application, the MCU handles digital I/O, analog sensor reading via the 12-bit ADC, and communicates with a central controller via CAN or RS-485. The advanced-control timer (TIM1) can generate PWM signals for driving actuators or motor drives. The 128 KB Flash allows storing complex control algorithms and communication protocol stacks. Designers should ensure proper isolation and protection on the CAN and UART lines to prevent damage from electrical noise in industrial settings. The device's low power consumption in idle modes helps reduce heat generation in sealed enclosures.
Recommended
Motor Drives
The STM32F103CBT6 excels in motor drive applications, particularly for BLDC and PMSM motors. Its advanced-control timer (TIM1) provides complementary PWM outputs with programmable dead-time, essential for driving three-phase inverters. The two 12-bit ADCs can sample motor currents and DC bus voltage simultaneously, enabling FOC (Field-Oriented Control) algorithms. The 72 MHz core executes FOC loops efficiently, with typical execution times under 50 microseconds. The device's 128 KB Flash can store complex motor control libraries, such as ST's Motor Control SDK. In a typical application, the MCU reads Hall sensors or encoder feedback, computes the rotor position, and generates PWM signals to the gate driver. The CAN interface allows remote monitoring and control in industrial motor drives. Designers must pay attention to the ADC sampling timing and use DMA to minimize CPU load. The device's robust timer architecture ensures glitch-free PWM generation, critical for smooth motor operation. Thermal management is important as the MCU may be placed near power stage components.
Recommended
Consumer Electronics
The STM32F103CBT6 is widely used in consumer electronics such as smart home devices, wearables, and remote controls. Its low power consumption in Stop and Standby modes (20 uA and 2 uA respectively) extends battery life in portable devices. The USB 2.0 Full-Speed interface enables direct connection to PCs or chargers for data transfer and firmware updates. The device's rich peripheral set, including I2C, SPI, and UART, allows interfacing with sensors, displays, and wireless modules. In a smart thermostat, the MCU reads temperature sensors via I2C, controls a relay via GPIO, and communicates with a Wi-Fi module via UART. The 128 KB Flash provides ample space for user interface logic and communication protocols. The compact LQFP-48 package fits into space-constrained PCBs. Designers should optimize the clock configuration to balance performance and power consumption, using the internal 8 MHz RC oscillator for low-power modes and switching to the external crystal when full speed is needed.
Recommended
Medical Devices
The STM32F103CBT6 is suitable for medical devices such as patient monitors, infusion pumps, and diagnostic equipment. Its high reliability and wide operating temperature range ensure consistent performance in clinical environments. The device's multiple UARTs and I2C interfaces allow connection to various medical sensors, such as pulse oximeters and temperature probes. The 12-bit ADC provides sufficient resolution for vital sign monitoring. The 128 KB Flash can store calibration data and firmware updates. In a portable patient monitor, the MCU reads ECG signals via the ADC, processes them to detect heart rate, and displays the waveform on an LCD. The USB interface enables data logging to a PC. Designers must follow medical safety standards, such as IEC 60601, which may require isolation and redundant safety features. The device's low power consumption is beneficial for battery-operated portable devices. It is important to use medical-grade power supplies and ensure proper EMC shielding to avoid interference with sensitive analog measurements.
Recommended
IoT Gateways
The STM32F103CBT6 serves as an efficient MCU for IoT gateways, bridging sensors and cloud services. Its multiple communication interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C, USB, CAN) allow it to aggregate data from various sensors and devices. The 72 MHz core can handle protocol conversion and data buffering. The 128 KB Flash can store a lightweight MQTT client and device firmware. In a typical IoT gateway, the MCU collects data from Zigbee or LoRa modules via UART, processes it, and forwards it to a Wi-Fi or Ethernet module for cloud connectivity. The device's low power modes enable battery-powered gateways that operate intermittently. The CAN interface is useful for industrial IoT applications where legacy fieldbus devices need to be integrated. Designers should implement robust error handling and watchdog timers to ensure long-term reliability in remote deployments. The device's security features, such as a unique device ID, can be used for authentication. The compact package and low cost make it an attractive choice for mass-produced IoT devices.
Recommended
Automotive Electronics
The STM32F103CBT6 is used in automotive electronics such as body control modules, dashboard clusters, and aftermarket accessories. Its CAN interface is essential for communication with the vehicle's network. The device operates over a wide temperature range (-40C to +85C), suitable for under-hood and cabin applications. The 128 KB Flash can store diagnostic routines and calibration data. In a body control module, the MCU controls lighting, windows, and door locks, reading switches and sensors via GPIO and ADC. The CAN interface allows it to receive commands from the central vehicle computer. The device's robust timer peripherals can generate PWM for dimming LEDs. Designers must ensure compliance with automotive EMC standards, such as CISPR 25, and use appropriate filtering on power and signal lines. The device is not AEC-Q100 qualified, so for safety-critical applications, consider the STM32F103CBT7 or automotive-grade variants. The low cost and availability make it popular for aftermarket automotive electronics.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for STM32F103CBT6 β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | STM32F103C8T6 | STM32F103CBT7 | STM32F103CBT6TR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | LQFP-48 | LQFP-48 - same | LQFP-48 - same | LQFP-48 - same |
| Flash Memory | 128 KB | 64 KB | 128 KB | 128 KB |
| SRAM | 20 KB | 20 KB | 20 KB | 20 KB |
| Max Clock Speed | 72 MHz | 72 MHz | 72 MHz | 72 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +105C | -40C to +85C |
| CAN Interface | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| USB Interface | Yes (Full-Speed) | Yes (Full-Speed) | Yes (Full-Speed) | Yes (Full-Speed) |
| GPIO Pins | 37 | 37 | 37 | 37 |
| Price (1pc) | $4.32 | $3.85 | $4.50 | $4.32 |
Key Differentiators
- Larger Flash memory (128 KB) compared to STM32F103C8T6 (vs STM32F103C8T6)
- Extended temperature range option (STM32F103CBT7) (vs STM32F103CBT7)
- Tape and reel packaging variant (STM32F103CBT6TR) (vs STM32F103CBT6TR)
Design Notes
Decouple each VDD pin with a 100nF ceramic capacitor placed as close as possible to the pin, and add a 4.7uF bulk capacitor on the main 3.3V rail. The VDDA pin should be connected to VDD through a ferrite bead and a 1uF capacitor to filter analog noise. Ensure the VBAT pin is connected to a backup battery or tied to VDD if not used.
For the LQFP-48 package, use a 4-layer PCB with a solid ground plane beneath the MCU. Keep the crystal oscillator (8 MHz) and its load capacitors close to the OSC_IN/OSC_OUT pins (PD0/PD1) to minimize stray capacitance. Route the SWD lines (PA13/PA14) with controlled impedance and avoid long traces to ensure reliable debugging.
The BOOT0 pin (pin 42) must be pulled low through a 10k resistor to boot from Flash memory. If BOOT0 is high, the device boots from System Memory (bootloader) or SRAM, which can cause unexpected behavior. Also, ensure the NRST pin has a 100nF capacitor to ground for reliable reset, and avoid floating GPIO pins by configuring them as outputs or enabling internal pull-ups/pull-downs.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per STMicroelectronics. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; for automotive grade, consider STM32F103CBT7 or other automotive variants.