STM32F103RCT6 - 72MHz Cortex-M3 MCU, 256KB Flash | STMicroelectronics
MPN: STM32F103RCT6 β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.91 | $7.91 |
| 10 | $7.12 | $71.20 |
| 100 | $6.33 | $633.00 |
| 500 | $5.54 | $2,770.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.75 | $4,750.00 |
Drop-in alternatives for STM32F103RCT6 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:
STM32F103RBT6
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
STM32F103RET6
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$5.6 / Unit
View Datasheet βGD32F103RCT6
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
APM32F103RCT6
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
AT32F403A
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
STM32F103RCT6 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | ARM Cortex-M3 |
| Max Clock Frequency | 72 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 256 KB |
| SRAM | 48 KB |
| Package | LQFP64 |
| GPIO Pins | 51 |
| Supply Voltage | 2.0 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40Β°C to +85Β°C |
| ADC | 3 x 12-bit |
| DAC | 2 x 12-bit |
| Timers | Multiple 16-bit timers, 1 PWM timer |
| Communication Interfaces | USB 2.0 FS, CAN, USART, SPI, I2C |
| Low Power Modes | Sleep, Stop, Standby |
| RoHS | Compliant |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
STM32F103RCT6 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VBAT β Battery backup supply for RTC |
| Pin 2 | PC13 β GPIO / RTC output |
| 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 / ADC12_IN0 |
| Pin 11 | PA1 β GPIO / ADC12_IN1 |
| Pin 12 | PA2 β GPIO / USART2_TX |
| Pin 13 | PA3 β GPIO / USART2_RX |
| Pin 14 | PA4 β GPIO / SPI1_NSS |
| Pin 15 | PA5 β GPIO / SPI1_SCK |
| Pin 16 | PA6 β GPIO / SPI1_MISO |
| Pin 17 | PA7 β GPIO / SPI1_MOSI |
| Pin 18 | PA8 β GPIO / USB_DP |
| Pin 19 | PA9 β GPIO / USB_DM |
| Pin 20 | PA10 β GPIO / USART1_RX |
| Pin 21 | PA11 β GPIO / USART1_CTS |
| Pin 22 | PA12 β GPIO / USART1_RTS |
| Pin 23 | PA13 β GPIO / SWDIO |
| Pin 24 | PA14 β GPIO / SWCLK |
| Pin 25 | PA15 β GPIO / JTDI |
| Pin 26 | PB0 β GPIO / ADC12_IN8 |
| Pin 27 | PB1 β GPIO / ADC12_IN9 |
| Pin 28 | PB2 β GPIO / BOOT1 |
| Pin 29 | PB3 β GPIO / JTDO |
| Pin 30 | PB4 β GPIO / NJTRST |
| Pin 31 | PB5 β GPIO / I2C1_SMBA |
| Pin 32 | PB6 β GPIO / I2C1_SCL |
| Pin 33 | PB7 β GPIO / I2C1_SDA |
| Pin 34 | PB8 β GPIO / CAN_RX |
| Pin 35 | PB9 β GPIO / CAN_TX |
| Pin 36 | PB10 β GPIO / I2C2_SCL |
| Pin 37 | PB11 β GPIO / I2C2_SDA |
| Pin 38 | VSS_1 β Ground |
| Pin 39 | VDD_1 β Power supply |
| Pin 40 | PB12 β GPIO / SPI2_NSS |
| Pin 41 | PB13 β GPIO / SPI2_SCK |
| Pin 42 | PB14 β GPIO / SPI2_MISO |
| Pin 43 | PB15 β GPIO / SPI2_MOSI |
| Pin 44 | PC0 β GPIO / ADC12_IN10 |
| Pin 45 | PC1 β GPIO / ADC12_IN11 |
| Pin 46 | PC2 β GPIO / ADC12_IN12 |
| Pin 47 | PC3 β GPIO / ADC12_IN13 |
| Pin 48 | PC4 β GPIO / ADC12_IN14 |
| Pin 49 | PC5 β GPIO / ADC12_IN15 |
| Pin 50 | PC6 β GPIO / TIM3_CH1 |
| Pin 51 | PC7 β GPIO / TIM3_CH2 |
| Pin 52 | PC8 β GPIO / TIM3_CH3 |
| Pin 53 | PC9 β GPIO / TIM3_CH4 |
| Pin 54 | PC10 β GPIO / USART4_TX |
| Pin 55 | PC11 β GPIO / USART4_RX |
| Pin 56 | PC12 β GPIO / USART5_TX |
| Pin 57 | PC13 β GPIO / RTC_AF1 |
| Pin 58 | PC14 β GPIO / OSC32_IN |
| Pin 59 | PC15 β GPIO / OSC32_OUT |
| Pin 60 | PD0 β GPIO / OSC_IN |
| Pin 61 | PD1 β GPIO / OSC_OUT |
| Pin 62 | VSS_2 β Ground |
| Pin 63 | VDD_2 β Power supply |
| Pin 64 | BOOT0 β Boot mode selection |
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
STM32F103RCT6 is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Motor Control, IoT Gateway, Medical Monitoring Device, Automotive Body Control Module, Portable Consumer Electronics, Data Acquisition System.
Industrial Motor Control
The STM32F103RCT6 provides multiple 16-bit timers with PWM generation, 12-bit ADCs for current sensing, and CAN interface for industrial networking. Its 72MHz Cortex-M3 core handles real-time control loops efficiently, making it ideal for motor control applications such as variable frequency drives and servo controllers. The rich peripheral set reduces external component count, lowering system cost.
Recommended
IoT Gateway
With USB 2.0 Full Speed, UART, SPI, and I2C interfaces, the STM32F103RCT6 can connect to various sensors and communication modules. Its 256KB Flash and 48KB SRAM support protocol stacks like MQTT and CoAP. Low-power modes enable battery-operated designs. The MCU acts as a central hub, aggregating data from multiple sensors and transmitting it to the cloud via Ethernet or Wi-Fi modules.
Recommended
Medical Monitoring Device
The STM32F103RCT6's 12-bit ADCs and DACs are suitable for acquiring biosignals such as ECG and EEG. Its low-power modes extend battery life in portable monitors. The device's reliability and wide operating temperature range make it suitable for medical equipment. The CAN interface allows integration into hospital networks for patient data management.
Recommended
Automotive Body Control Module
The STM32F103RCT6 operates over -40Β°C to +85Β°C, suitable for automotive environments. Its CAN interface enables communication with vehicle networks. Multiple timers and GPIOs control lighting, windows, and locks. The MCU's robustness and long-term availability make it a reliable choice for body control modules in vehicles.
Recommended
Portable Consumer Electronics
The STM32F103RCT6's low-power modes and rich peripheral set make it ideal for portable devices like smartwatches and fitness trackers. Its USB interface allows for charging and data transfer. The 48KB SRAM supports complex user interfaces, while the 256KB Flash stores application code and assets. The small LQFP64 package fits compact PCB designs.
Recommended
Data Acquisition System
With three 12-bit ADCs and multiple communication interfaces, the STM32F103RCT6 can sample multiple analog signals and transmit data to a host system. Its DMA controller enables high-speed data transfer without CPU intervention. The device's 72MHz clock ensures fast sampling rates, making it suitable for industrial data acquisition and test equipment.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for STM32F103RCT6 β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | STM32F103RBT6 | STM32F103RET6 | GD32F103RCT6 | APM32F103RCT6 | AT32F403A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | LQFP64 | LQFP64 | LQFP64 | LQFP64 | LQFP64 | LQFP64 |
| Brand | STMicroelectronics | STMicroelectronics | STMicroelectronics | GigaDevice | Geehy | Artery |
| Core | ARM Cortex-M3 | ARM Cortex-M3 | ARM Cortex-M3 | ARM Cortex-M3 | ARM Cortex-M3 | ARM Cortex-M4 |
| Max Clock Frequency | 72 MHz | 72 MHz | 72 MHz | 108 MHz | 96 MHz | 240 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 256 KB | 128 KB | 512 KB | 256 KB | 256 KB | 256 KB |
| SRAM | 48 KB | 20 KB | 64 KB | 48 KB | 48 KB | 64 KB |
| GPIO Pins | 51 | 51 | 51 | 51 | 51 | 51 |
| Supply Voltage | 2.0V to 3.6V | 2.0V to 3.6V | 2.0V to 3.6V | 2.6V to 3.6V | 2.0V to 3.6V | 2.6V to 3.6V |
Key Differentiators
- Higher Flash memory than STM32F103RBT6 (vs STM32F103RBT6)
- Lower cost and higher clock speed than STM32F103RET6 (vs STM32F103RET6)
- Mature ecosystem and documentation vs GD32F103RCT6 (vs GD32F103RCT6)
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. The VDDA pin should be connected to a filtered analog supply using a ferrite bead and a 1uF capacitor to reduce noise for the ADC and DAC.
For the LQFP64 package, ensure proper solder paste stencil design to avoid bridging. Use a 0.5mm pitch land pattern with appropriate pad sizes. Provide a solid ground plane under the MCU to minimize EMI and improve thermal performance.
Configure the BOOT0 pin correctly to select the desired boot mode (Flash, System memory, or SRAM). A floating BOOT0 can cause unexpected boot behavior. Also, ensure the NRST pin has a 100nF capacitor to ground and a 10k pull-up resistor to VDD for reliable reset.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per STMicroelectronics product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; for automotive, consider STM32F103RCT6 with extended temperature range or other automotive-grade MCUs.
