STM32F103ZCT6 - 256KB Flash ARM Cortex-M3 MCU | STMicroelectronics
MPN: STM32F103ZCT6 β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8.5 | $8.50 |
| 10 | $7.8 | $78.00 |
| 100 | $6.9 | $690.00 |
| 500 | $6.2 | $3,100.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.6 | $5,600.00 |
Drop-in alternatives for STM32F103ZCT6 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:
STM32F103ZET6
β Drop-Inβ 99,999 In Stock
$6.25 / Unit
View Datasheet βSTM32F103ZDT6
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
STM32F103ZCT6TR
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
STM32F105ZCT6
β‘ Same Packageπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM3X8EA-AU
β‘ Same Packageπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
STM32F103ZCT6 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | ARM Cortex-M3 |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 72 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 256 KB |
| SRAM | 48 KB |
| Supply Voltage | 2.0 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C |
| Package | LQFP-144 |
| Number of I/O Pins | 112 |
| ADC Resolution | 12-bit |
| Number of ADC Channels | 21 |
| Number of Timers | 8 (4 general-purpose, 2 advanced-control, 2 basic) |
| Communication Interfaces | USART (5), SPI (3), I2C (2), USB 2.0 FS, CAN 2.0B |
| DMA Channels | 12 |
| Debug Interface | JTAG, SWD |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
STM32F103ZCT6 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | PE2 β GPIO port E pin 2 / alternate functions |
| Pin 2 | PE3 β GPIO port E pin 3 / alternate functions |
| Pin 3 | PE4 β GPIO port E pin 4 / alternate functions |
| Pin 4 | PE5 β GPIO port E pin 5 / alternate functions |
| Pin 5 | PE6 β GPIO port E pin 6 / alternate functions |
| Pin 6 | VBAT β Backup battery supply |
| Pin 7 | PC13 β GPIO port C pin 13 / RTC tamper |
| Pin 8 | PC14 β GPIO port C pin 14 / OSC32_IN |
| Pin 9 | PC15 β GPIO port C pin 15 / OSC32_OUT |
| Pin 10 | PF0 β GPIO port F pin 0 / OSC_IN |
| Pin 11 | PF1 β GPIO port F pin 1 / OSC_OUT |
| Pin 12 | NRST β Reset (active low) |
| Pin 13 | PC0 β GPIO port C pin 0 / ADC12_IN10 |
| Pin 14 | PC1 β GPIO port C pin 1 / ADC12_IN11 |
| Pin 15 | PC2 β GPIO port C pin 2 / ADC12_IN12 |
| Pin 16 | PC3 β GPIO port C pin 3 / ADC12_IN13 |
| Pin 17 | VDD β Digital power supply |
| Pin 18 | VSS β Digital ground |
| Pin 19 | PC4 β GPIO port C pin 4 / ADC12_IN14 |
| Pin 20 | PC5 β GPIO port C pin 5 / ADC12_IN15 |
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
STM32F103ZCT6 is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Systems, Motor Drives, Medical Devices, Consumer Electronics, IoT Gateways, Automotive Electronics.
Industrial Control Systems
The STM32F103ZCT6 is ideal for industrial control systems due to its 72 MHz Cortex-M3 core, multiple timers, and rich communication interfaces. It can handle real-time control loops, PLCs, and motor drives. The 12-bit ADC with 21 channels enables precise analog sensing, while the CAN interface supports robust industrial networking. The device's wide operating temperature range (-40Β°C to +85Β°C) ensures reliability in harsh environments. In a typical PLC, the MCU manages digital I/O, analog inputs, and communication protocols like Modbus over RS-485. The advanced-control timers generate PWM signals for motor speed control, and the DMA controller offloads data transfer, improving overall system efficiency. The large Flash memory allows storing complex control algorithms and communication stacks, making it a versatile choice for industrial automation.
Recommended
Motor Drives
The STM32F103ZCT6 excels in motor drive applications, particularly for brushless DC (BLDC) and permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM). Its advanced-control timers (TIM1 and TIM8) provide six-channel PWM with complementary outputs and dead-time insertion, essential for three-phase inverter control. The 12-bit ADC samples motor currents and back-EMF for sensorless control algorithms. The 72 MHz core executes fast control loops, enabling high-speed commutation and precise speed/torque control. The device's multiple communication interfaces (CAN, USART) allow integration with higher-level controllers. In a typical motor drive, the MCU reads Hall sensors or encoder feedback, computes the commutation sequence, and generates PWM signals to drive the inverter. The DMA controller can transfer ADC results directly to memory, reducing CPU load. The STM32F103ZCT6's robust timer features and rich peripherals make it a cost-effective solution for variable-frequency drives and servo controllers.
Recommended
Medical Devices
The STM32F103ZCT6 is suitable for medical devices such as patient monitors, infusion pumps, and diagnostic equipment. Its high performance and rich analog peripherals enable precise data acquisition and processing. The 12-bit ADC with 21 channels can interface with various sensors (e.g., temperature, pressure, ECG). The device's low power consumption and wide operating temperature range make it reliable for continuous operation. In a patient monitor, the MCU acquires vital signs from sensors, processes the data, and displays it on an LCD. The multiple USART and I2C interfaces allow connection to external modules like Bluetooth for wireless data transmission. The large Flash memory stores patient data and firmware updates. The STM32F103ZCT6's deterministic interrupt handling ensures timely responses to critical events, making it a trusted choice for medical applications.
Recommended
Consumer Electronics
The STM32F103ZCT6 is widely used in consumer electronics such as smart home devices, gaming peripherals, and audio equipment. Its USB 2.0 full-speed interface enables easy connectivity to PCs and mobile devices. The device's rich peripheral set supports various user interfaces, including buttons, LEDs, and displays. In a smart home hub, the MCU manages Zigbee or Wi-Fi modules via USART/SPI, processes sensor data, and controls actuators. The 72 MHz core provides sufficient processing power for user interface rendering and protocol handling. The low power consumption is beneficial for battery-powered devices. The STM32F103ZCT6's large Flash memory allows over-the-air firmware updates, ensuring product longevity. Its cost-effectiveness and availability make it a popular choice for mass-market consumer products.
Recommended
IoT Gateways
The STM32F103ZCT6 is an excellent choice for IoT gateways that aggregate data from multiple sensors and communicate with cloud services. Its multiple communication interfaces (USART, SPI, I2C, USB, CAN) allow connection to various sensors and wireless modules. The 72 MHz core can handle protocol stacks like MQTT and CoAP. In a typical IoT gateway, the MCU collects data from sensors via I2C/SPI, processes it, and forwards it to a Wi-Fi or Ethernet module via USART/SPI. The large Flash memory stores firmware and configuration data. The device's low power consumption is crucial for battery-powered gateways. The STM32F103ZCT6's rich peripherals and robust design make it a reliable platform for edge computing and data aggregation in IoT deployments.
Recommended
Automotive Electronics
The STM32F103ZCT6 is used in automotive electronics such as body control modules, dashboard clusters, and infotainment systems. Its CAN 2.0B interface is essential for in-vehicle networking. The device's wide operating temperature range (-40Β°C to +85Β°C) and robust design meet automotive requirements. In a body control module, the MCU manages lighting, windows, and door locks, communicating over CAN with other ECUs. The 12-bit ADC reads analog sensors for temperature and voltage monitoring. The multiple timers generate PWM for dimming LEDs. The STM32F103ZCT6's high performance and rich peripherals enable complex functions like keyless entry and climate control. Its long-term availability and automotive-grade variants (e.g., STM32F103ZCT6T7) make it a trusted choice for automotive applications.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for STM32F103ZCT6 β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | STM32F103ZET6 | STM32F103ZDT6 | STM32F105ZCT6 | LPC1768FBD100 | ATSAM3X8EA-AU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | LQFP-144 | LQFP-144 (same) | LQFP-144 (same) | LQFP-144 (same) | LQFP-100 (different) | LQFP-144 (same) |
| Brand | STMicroelectronics | STMicroelectronics | STMicroelectronics | STMicroelectronics | NXP Semiconductors | Microchip Technology |
| Core | ARM Cortex-M3 | ARM Cortex-M3 | ARM Cortex-M3 | ARM Cortex-M3 | ARM Cortex-M3 | ARM Cortex-M3 |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 72 MHz | 72 MHz | 72 MHz | 72 MHz | 100 MHz | 84 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 256 KB | 512 KB | 384 KB | 256 KB | 512 KB | 512 KB |
| SRAM | 48 KB | 64 KB | 64 KB | 64 KB | 64 KB | 96 KB |
| Number of I/O Pins | 112 | 112 | 112 | 112 | 70 | 103 |
| USB Interface | USB 2.0 FS | USB 2.0 FS | USB 2.0 FS | USB 2.0 OTG FS | USB 2.0 FS Device/Host/OTG | USB 2.0 FS Device |
Key Differentiators
- Larger Flash memory option in same package (vs STM32F103ZET6)
- Higher I/O count than smaller package variants (vs STM32F103RCT6)
- Cost-effective compared to higher-end STM32F105 (vs STM32F105ZCT6)
Design Notes
The STM32F103ZCT6 requires a 2.0V to 3.6V supply. Decouple each VDD pin with a 100nF ceramic capacitor placed as close as possible to the pin. Additionally, connect a 4.7uF capacitor to the VDDA pin for analog supply filtering. The VREF+ pin should be decoupled with a 1uF capacitor to ensure stable ADC reference. For battery-powered designs, consider using the low-power modes (Sleep, Stop, Standby) to extend battery life.
For the LQFP-144 package, ensure proper soldering with a stencil thickness of 0.15mm. Place decoupling capacitors on the same side of the PCB as the MCU to minimize inductance. Route the crystal oscillator (HSE) traces as short as possible and keep them away from high-speed digital signals. Use a ground plane to reduce noise and improve EMC performance. Follow the layout guidelines in the STM32F103xx hardware development application note (AN2586).
A common pitfall is forgetting to configure the BOOT0 pin correctly. BOOT0 must be tied low (through a 10k resistor) to boot from Flash memory. Also, ensure the NRST pin has a 100nF capacitor to ground and a 10k pull-up resistor to VDD. Do not leave unused GPIO pins floating; configure them as outputs or enable internal pull-ups/pull-downs to avoid excessive current consumption. When using the ADC, ensure the sampling time is sufficient for the source impedance to avoid inaccurate readings.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per STMicroelectronics product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; automotive-grade variants (e.g., STM32F103ZCT6T7) are available for automotive applications.
