STM32F378RCT6 - ARM Cortex-M4F MCU 256KB Flash | STMicroelectronics
MPN: STM32F378RCT6 ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8.75 | $8.75 |
| 10 | $7.95 | $79.50 |
| 100 | $6.85 | $685.00 |
| 500 | $5.95 | $2,975.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.25 | $5,250.00 |
STM32F378RCT6 Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a compact integrated circuit designed to govern a specific operation in an embedded system. It contains a processor core, memory (flash and SRAM), and programmable input/output peripherals on a single chip. The STM32F378RCT6 belongs to the STM32F3 series, which is optimized for mixed-signal applications requiring high-performance analog capabilities alongside digital control. As a member of the ARM Cortex-M4F family, it provides DSP instructions and a hardware FPU, making it suitable for real-time control and signal processing tasks.
Key features of the STM32F378RCT6 include a 16-bit ADC with up to 5 MSPS sampling rate, a 12-bit DAC with two channels, and an advanced 16-bit timer with dead-time generation for motor control. The device also supports multiple communication interfaces: USART, SPI, I2C, CAN, and USB 2.0 full-speed. With its high-resolution analog peripherals and flexible timing, it is ideal for applications such as industrial control, motor drives, and smart sensors.
The STM32F378RCT6 is built on a 90nm process technology, offering a balance between performance and power consumption. It includes a nested vectored interrupt controller (NVIC) for efficient interrupt handling and a memory protection unit (MPU) for enhanced system reliability. The device supports a wide range of clock sources, including an internal 8 MHz RC oscillator, an external crystal, and a PLL for frequency multiplication.
Typical applications include industrial automation, motor control, power conversion, and medical monitoring devices. The high-resolution ADC and DAC make it particularly well-suited for precision measurement and control loops. The device also supports a comprehensive set of development tools, including the STM32CubeMX configuration tool and the STM32CubeF3 firmware library.
When designing with the STM32F378RCT6, ensure proper decoupling of the power supply pins with 100nF capacitors placed close to each VDD pin. The VDDA pin should be connected to a clean analog supply, and the VREF+ pin should be bypassed with a 1uF capacitor for stable ADC reference. For optimal performance, use the internal voltage regulator in the recommended configuration and follow the layout guidelines in the datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for STM32F378RCT6 — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with STM32F378RCT6 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC Resolution, Communication Interfaces, Core, Package, SRAM.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
STM32F378RCT7
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
STM32F373RCT6
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$5.44 / Unit
View Datasheet →STM32F303RCT6
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$5.44 / Unit
View Datasheet →STM32F378RCT6 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | ARM Cortex-M4F with FPU |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 72 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 256 KB |
| SRAM | 32 KB |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40°C to +85°C |
| Package | LQFP64 (10x10 mm) |
| ADC Resolution | 16-bit |
| ADC Sampling Rate | 5 MSPS |
| DAC Resolution | 12-bit |
| Number of DAC Channels | 2 |
| Communication Interfaces | USART, SPI, I2C, CAN, USB 2.0 FS |
| Timers | Advanced 16-bit timers, 32-bit timers |
| GPIO Pins | 51 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
STM32F378RCT6 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VBAT — Battery backup supply |
| Pin 2 | PC13 — GPIO / RTC output |
| Pin 3 | PC14 — GPIO / OSC32_IN |
| Pin 4 | PC15 — GPIO / OSC32_OUT |
| Pin 5 | PF0 — GPIO |
| Pin 6 | PF1 — GPIO |
| Pin 7 | NRST — Reset (active low) |
| Pin 8 | VDD — Digital power supply |
| Pin 9 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 10 | VDDA — Analog power supply |
| Pin 11 | VREF+ — ADC reference voltage |
| Pin 12 | VREF- — ADC reference ground |
| Pin 13 | PA0 — GPIO / ADC input |
| Pin 14 | PA1 — GPIO / ADC input |
| Pin 15 | PA2 — GPIO / USART2_TX |
| Pin 16 | PA3 — GPIO / USART2_RX |
| Pin 17 | PA4 — GPIO / DAC_OUT1 |
| Pin 18 | PA5 — GPIO / DAC_OUT2 |
| Pin 19 | PA6 — GPIO / SPI1_MISO |
| Pin 20 | PA7 — GPIO / SPI1_MOSI |
| Pin 21 | PB0 — GPIO / ADC input |
| Pin 22 | PB1 — GPIO / ADC input |
| Pin 23 | PB2 — GPIO / BOOT1 |
| Pin 24 | PB10 — GPIO / I2C2_SCL |
| Pin 25 | PB11 — GPIO / I2C2_SDA |
| Pin 26 | PB12 — GPIO / SPI2_NSS |
| Pin 27 | PB13 — GPIO / SPI2_SCK |
| Pin 28 | PB14 — GPIO / SPI2_MISO |
| Pin 29 | PB15 — GPIO / SPI2_MOSI |
| Pin 30 | PC6 — GPIO / TIM3_CH1 |
| Pin 31 | PC7 — GPIO / TIM3_CH2 |
| Pin 32 | PC8 — GPIO / TIM3_CH3 |
| Pin 33 | PC9 — GPIO / TIM3_CH4 |
| Pin 34 | PA8 — GPIO / TIM1_CH1 |
| Pin 35 | PA9 — GPIO / USART1_TX |
| Pin 36 | PA10 — GPIO / USART1_RX |
| Pin 37 | PA11 — GPIO / USB_DM |
| Pin 38 | PA12 — GPIO / USB_DP |
| Pin 39 | PA13 — GPIO / SWDIO |
| Pin 40 | PA14 — GPIO / SWCLK |
| Pin 41 | PA15 — GPIO / JTDI |
| Pin 42 | PB3 — GPIO / JTDO |
| Pin 43 | PB4 — GPIO / NJTRST |
| Pin 44 | PB5 — GPIO / I2C1_SMBA |
| Pin 45 | PB6 — GPIO / I2C1_SCL |
| Pin 46 | PB7 — GPIO / I2C1_SDA |
| Pin 47 | BOOT0 — Boot mode selection |
| Pin 48 | PB8 — GPIO / CAN_RX |
| Pin 49 | PB9 — GPIO / CAN_TX |
| Pin 50 | VDD — Digital power supply |
| Pin 51 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 52 | PC10 — GPIO / USART4_TX |
| Pin 53 | PC11 — GPIO / USART4_RX |
| Pin 54 | PC12 — GPIO / USART5_TX |
| Pin 55 | PD2 — GPIO / USART5_RX |
| Pin 56 | PC0 — GPIO / ADC input |
| Pin 57 | PC1 — GPIO / ADC input |
| Pin 58 | PC2 — GPIO / ADC input |
| Pin 59 | PC3 — GPIO / ADC input |
| Pin 60 | PC4 — GPIO / ADC input |
| Pin 61 | PC5 — GPIO / ADC input |
| Pin 62 | VDD — Digital power supply |
| Pin 63 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 64 | VDD — Digital power supply |
Typical Applications
STM32F378RCT6 is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Automation, Motor Control, Smart Sensors, Medical Monitoring, Power Conversion, Audio Processing.
Industrial Automation
The STM32F378RCT6 is ideal for industrial automation due to its high-resolution 16-bit ADC and advanced timers. It can be used in PLCs, motor drives, and process control systems. The 5 MSPS ADC enables fast and accurate data acquisition for real-time monitoring and control. The device's multiple communication interfaces (CAN, USART, SPI) allow seamless integration into industrial networks. Its robust operating temperature range (-40°C to +85°C) ensures reliable operation in harsh environments. The FPU accelerates complex control algorithms, improving system responsiveness and efficiency.
Recommended
Motor Control
The STM32F378RCT6 excels in motor control applications, particularly field-oriented control (FOC) for brushless DC motors. Its advanced 16-bit timers with dead-time generation provide precise PWM signals for inverter stages. The 16-bit ADC with 5 MSPS sampling captures phase currents and rotor position with high accuracy, enabling smooth and efficient motor operation. The FPU accelerates the complex mathematical computations required for FOC, reducing CPU load and improving real-time performance. The device's wide supply voltage range and robust I/O structure make it suitable for both low-voltage and high-voltage motor drives.
Recommended
Smart Sensors
The STM32F378RCT6 is well-suited for smart sensor applications, such as vibration monitoring, temperature sensing, and pressure measurement. Its 16-bit ADC provides high-resolution conversion of analog sensor signals, while the 12-bit DAC can generate analog outputs for calibration or actuation. The device's low-power modes and fast wake-up times enable battery-powered sensor nodes. The integrated operational amplifiers and comparators allow direct interfacing with various sensor types without external components. The USB interface facilitates easy data logging and communication with host systems.
Recommended
Medical Monitoring
The STM32F378RCT6 is used in medical monitoring devices such as patient vital sign monitors and portable diagnostic equipment. Its high-resolution ADC is essential for accurate measurement of physiological signals like ECG and EEG. The device's low power consumption extends battery life in portable devices. The FPU enables real-time digital signal processing for noise filtering and feature extraction. The multiple communication interfaces allow data transmission to displays or central monitoring systems. The extended temperature range ensures reliable operation in clinical environments.
Recommended
Power Conversion
The STM32F378RCT6 is suitable for power conversion applications, including digital power supplies and inverters. Its high-resolution ADC and advanced timers enable precise voltage and current regulation. The device's fast interrupt handling and FPU support complex control algorithms like PID and predictive control. The multiple communication interfaces allow remote monitoring and configuration. The device's robust design and wide operating temperature range make it reliable in demanding power electronics environments.
Recommended
Audio Processing
The STM32F378RCT6 can be used in audio processing applications such as active noise cancellation and audio effects processors. Its 16-bit ADC and 12-bit DAC provide high-quality audio conversion. The FPU accelerates audio DSP algorithms like filtering and equalization. The device's I2S interface (if available) enables direct connection to audio codecs. The high clock speed and efficient core allow real-time audio processing with low latency.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for STM32F378RCT6 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | STM32F378RCT7 | STM32F373RCT6 | STM32F303RCT6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | LQFP64 | LQFP64 | LQFP64 | LQFP64 |
| Brand | STMicroelectronics | STMicroelectronics | STMicroelectronics | STMicroelectronics |
| Core | ARM Cortex-M4F | ARM Cortex-M4F | ARM Cortex-M4F | ARM Cortex-M4F |
| Max Clock Frequency | 72 MHz | 72 MHz | 72 MHz | 72 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 256 KB | 256 KB | 256 KB | 256 KB |
| SRAM | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 40 KB |
| ADC Resolution | 16-bit | 16-bit | 16-bit | 12-bit |
| ADC Sampling Rate | 5 MSPS | 5 MSPS | 1 MSPS | 5 MSPS |
| DAC | 12-bit, 2 channels | 12-bit, 2 channels | None | None |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40°C to +85°C | -40°C to +105°C | -40°C to +85°C | -40°C to +85°C |
Key Differentiators
- 16-bit ADC with 5 MSPS sampling rate (vs STM32F373RCT6)
- Integrated 12-bit DAC with 2 channels (vs STM32F303RCT6)
- Extended temperature range option (vs STM32F378RCT7)
Design Notes
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 bypassed with a 1uF capacitor to ensure stable ADC reference. Use a clean analog ground plane for VDDA and VREF- to minimize noise.
For the LQFP64 package, ensure proper solder pad design per IPC-7351 standards. Use a 0.3mm pad width and 0.5mm pitch. Provide a thermal pad on the PCB for the exposed pad (if present) to improve heat dissipation. Route high-speed signals (USB, SPI) with controlled impedance and minimize trace lengths.
Do not leave unused GPIO pins floating; configure them as outputs or enable internal pull-ups/pull-downs to avoid excessive current consumption. Ensure the BOOT0 pin is properly tied to GND for normal boot from flash. When using the ADC, avoid switching digital I/O during conversion to prevent noise coupling.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per STMicroelectronics product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; for automotive use, consider STM32F378RCT7 with extended temperature.
