STM32L162QDH6TR - 384KB Flash Cortex-M3 MCU | STMicroelectronics
MPN: STM32L162QDH6TR ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8.45 | $8.45 |
| 10 | $7.92 | $79.20 |
| 100 | $7.18 | $718.00 |
| 500 | $6.45 | $3,225.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.78 | $5,780.00 |
| 3,000 | $5.1 | $15,300.00 |
STM32L162QDH6TR Overview
A Cortex-M3 microcontroller is a 32-bit ARM processor core (ARMv7-M architecture) with Thumb-2 instruction support, designed for deterministic embedded workloads with low interrupt latency. It sits in a hierarchy of MCU -> 32-bit MCU -> ARM Cortex-M -> low-power MCU, and the STM32L1 family specifically targets ultra-low-power applications consuming as little as sub-uA in standby while integrating rich analog peripherals that would normally require external ICs.
Key features include ARM Cortex-M3 core running up to 32 MHz, 384 KB Flash, 32 KB SRAM, 12 KB EEPROM (true data EEPROM, emulated), an integrated USB 2.0 FS device/host/OTG controller, AES-128 hardware crypto block, two operational amplifiers, two 12-bit DACs, two 12-bit ADCs (1 Msps), two comparators, RTC, and seven low-power modes (Low-power Run, Sleep, Low-power Sleep, Stop with RTC, Standby with RTC, Standby). Operating voltage is 1.8 V to 3.6 V with BOR enable.
The architecture combines a Cortex-M3 core, integrated voltage regulator with multiple low-power domains, an ART Accelerator-style flash front-end, and a flexible DMA matrix (7 channels). The peripheral set - timers (general-purpose, basic, systick), SPIs (3x), I2C (2x), USARTs (3x), USB, CAN, SDIO, and FSMC - is coherently mapped to a 132-pin BGA footprint that exposes up to 106 fast GPIOs.
Typical applications include portable medical and health-monitoring devices, smart-metering and industrial sensor hubs, wearables, USB peripherals running from battery, secure IoT end-nodes leveraging the AES engine, and LCD-panel human-machine interfaces (HMIs). The 132-ball UFBGA is preferred over LQFP for space-constrained handhelds and wearables where every square millimeter matters.
When designing with this part, pay close attention to decoupling: a 100 nF ceramic must sit within 2 mm of each VDD/VDDA pin pair, and the integrated regulator requires its own bulk + bypass network. The datasheet's application circuit shows a typical ultra-low-power sensor node with the MCU spending most of its time in Stop-mode with RTC, waking on a comparator interrupt for sub-uW average draw.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives in the same STM32L1 family, and practical design notes not consolidated on any individual manufacturer or distributor page.
Drop-in alternatives for STM32L162QDH6TR — 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 STM32L162QDH6TR (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core, LCD Controller, Package, Communication Interfaces, Flash Memory.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
STM32L152QDH6TR
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
STM32L162RCT6
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.8636 / Unit
View Datasheet →STM32L162QCH6TR
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
STM32L152RCT6
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
STM32L162ZDT6
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →STM32L162QDH6TR Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | ARM Cortex-M3 (32-bit) |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 32 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 384 KB |
| SRAM | 32 KB |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Package | UFBGA-132 (7x7 mm) |
| ADC | 2x 12-bit, up to 1 Msps |
| DAC | 2x 12-bit |
| Comparators | 2x ultra-low-power |
| Operational Amplifiers | 2x on-chip |
| USB | USB 2.0 Full-Speed (Device/Host/OTG) |
| Hardware Encryption | AES-128 |
| LCD Controller | Up to 8x40 segments (integrated) |
| Communication Interfaces | 3x SPI, 2x I2C, 3x USART, USB, CAN, SDIO |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (BGA) |
STM32L162QDH6TR Pin Configuration
| Pin A1 | VDD — Power supply 1.8-3.6 V |
| Pin B12 | VDDA — Analog supply |
| Pin C5 | VSS — Digital ground |
| Pin D8 | VSSA — Analog ground |
| Pin E3 | NRST — Reset input (active low) |
| Pin F11 | BOOT0 — Boot mode select |
| Pin G2 | OSC_IN — Main oscillator input (HSE) |
| Pin H10 | OSC_OUT — Main oscillator output (HSE) |
| Pin J5 | OSC32_IN — 32.768 kHz crystal input |
| Pin K8 | OSC32_OUT — 32.768 kHz crystal output |
| Pin L1 | PA0 — GPIO / TIM2_CH1 / ADC_IN0 |
| Pin M6 | PA1 — GPIO / TIM2_CH2 / ADC_IN1 |
| Pin N3 | PB0 — GPIO / ADC_IN8 (UFBGA unique) |
| Pin P12 | PC13 — GPIO / Tamper-RTC |
| Pin R7 | PD0 — GPIO / FSMC_D2 |
| Pin A6 | PE1 — GPIO / TIM23_CH / FSMC_NBL1 |
| Pin B3 | PF0 — GPIO / FSMC_A0 |
| Pin G11 | PG1 — GPIO / FSMC_A11 |
| Pin H4 | PH0 — GPIO / FSMC_A16 |
| Pin M11 | USB_DP — USB Data+ (shared via AF) |
Typical Applications
STM32L162QDH6TR is suitable for 7 applications: Battery-Powered Smart Meter / Sensor Hub, Portable Medical / Health Monitoring Device, Industrial Sensor / Wireless HMI Node, Wearable / Fitness Tracker with Integrated Display, USB-Powered IoT Data Logger, Secure IoT End-Node with Local Encryption, LCD-Paneled Human-Machine Interface (HMI).
Battery-Powered Smart Meter / Sensor Hub
The STM32L162QDH6TR is purpose-built for battery-powered sensor hubs that sit in Stop-mode with RTC for weeks or months between sensor bursts. Its 0.3 uA Standby and 1.4 uA Stop-with-RTC current - paired with the integrated 12-bit ADC at 1 Msps and 2x comparators - let a metering node run > 10 years from a Li-SOCl2 primary cell. The 384 KB Flash hosts the LoRaWAN / Wireless M-Bus stack and AES-128 secures calibration credentials at rest. Place the MCU at the center of the PCB with the 32.768 kHz crystal near OSC32 pins and route the ADC analog pins away from switched-mode converter traces. Compared to an STM32F0 or STM32G0 in this role, the L162 wins on absolute deep-sleep current (0.3 uA vs ~2 uA), at the cost of slower CPU (32 MHz vs 64-170 MHz).
Recommended
Portable Medical / Health Monitoring Device
Wearable health devices (pulse oximeters, continuous glucose monitor bases, ECG patches) leverage the STM32L162QDH6TR's on-chip 2x op-amps to condition front-end signals and its 12-bit ADC for measurement. The 132-ball UFBGA (7x7 mm) saves PCB area versus LQFP, fitting a wrist-strap or patch form factor. AES-128 secures patient data identifiers stored locally, and the LCD controller drives a segmented display without an external driver IC, cutting BOM. A typical lifecycle spends 99.9% of time in Stop-RTC mode and wakes 1 Hz on a comparator to sample a sensor, yielding weeks of runtime from a 200 mAh coin cell. The trade-off vs. the STM32WB (Cortex-M4 + BLE) is the absence of integrated Bluetooth, so designs still need an external SoC or module for BLE connectivity.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor / Wireless HMI Node
Industrial sensor nodes and WirelessHART / IO-Link field devices rely on the STM32L162QDH6TR's industrial-grade -40 to +85 C support, on-chip op-amps for 4-20 mA loop signal conditioning, and dual 12-bit DACs for actuator drive. The integrated LCD controller is the key differentiator vs STM32F1/F4 - it drives a segment display of unit status directly, eliminating an external driver in the same footprint that previously cost BOM and panel real estate. Engineers route 24 V loop power through a wide-Vin buck or LDO such as TPS54360 down to 3.3 V for the MCU. The LQFP-144 variant is preferred for industrial hand-repair, but the UFBGA-132 is used for sealed outdoor enclosures. Compared to an STM32F103 in the same role, you trade CPU speed for ultra-low sleep current and integrated op-amps.
Recommended
Wearable / Fitness Tracker with Integrated Display
Consumer wearables (fitness bands, sport watches) benefit from the STM32L162QDH6TR's single-chip integration: it drives the segment display via the integrated LCD controller, conditions motion signals using the on-chip op-amps, and connects to a host phone over USB or a separate BLE module. The 132-ball 7x7 mm UFBGA leaves room for a small Li-Po battery and BLE module on a 18x22 mm PCB. Firmware spends Run-time on DSP motion algorithms at full 32 MHz, then drops to Stop-RTC between wake-ups, achieving 7-10 day battery life. Avoid using this part when Bluetooth Low Energy is mandatory on-chip - consider STM32WB series for that requirement. Use the on-chip AES-128 to encrypt logs at rest and to authenticate firmware during secure OTA boot.
Recommended
USB-Powered IoT Data Logger
USB-powered data loggers (temperature, accelerometer, environmental sensors) treat the STM32L162QDH6TR as a single-chip solution: 384 KB Flash stores weeks of buffered records, USB 2.0 FS handles PC dump, and AES-128 secures proprietary data formats. The integrated SDIO interface attaches an SD card for byte-for-byte shipping of captured runs. Operating from USB VBUS at 5 V requires a 3.3 V LDO between the bus and the MCU; designers typically use a TLV1117-33 or LP38690 and bulk-decouple VDD with 10 uF + 100 nF. Compared to STM32F105 (which has USB OTG but no AES), the L162 gains on-chip crypto without a peripheral driver. Compared to STM32H7 (which has USB 2.0 high-speed), the L162 costs less and uses less power but tops out at 32 MHz.
Recommended
Secure IoT End-Node with Local Encryption
Edge IoT devices that must sign or encrypt sensor data before transmission benefit from the STM32L162QDH6TR's AES-128 hardware crypto block - offloading cryptographic work from the CPU and dropping encrypted-payload current draw compared to firmware AES. Placed at the heart of a LoRaWAN / Sigfox / NB-IoT module, the MCU handles radio configuration over SPI, reports to a host MCU over UART, and keeps crypto keys in locked Flash. The ARM Cortex-M3 at 32 MHz is more than fast enough for typical 1-2 kB payloads per cycle. Designers should pair this part with an external secure element (ATECC608B / OPTIGA Trust-X) when more than AES-128 is needed. Compared to the STM32WB series that integrates radio + crypto, the L162 is the right call when external radio is required (e.g., proprietary sub-GHz) - it also costs less.
Recommended
LCD-Paneled Human-Machine Interface (HMI)
HMI front panels (appliance control boards, instrument read-outs, kiosk keypads) use the STM32L162QDH6TR's integrated 8x40-segment LCD controller as the headline feature - removing a separate HOLTEK or NXP LCD driver IC from the BOM and the I2C/SPI bus. The 132-ball UFBGA combines with a small COG display to fit below 25x40 mm of front-panel PCB. A typical design cycles the LCD at low refresh rate, periodically polls 4-8 buttons via wakeup-capable GPIOs, and runs a small UI from Flash. The trade-off vs. STM32G0 (which now ships with LCD controller too) is that G0 parts are lower-cost but Cortex-M0+ (24 MHz), so UI animations feel less responsive than on this Cortex-M3.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for STM32L162QDH6TR — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | STM32L152QDH6TR | STM32L162QCH6TR | STM32L162ZDT6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | STMicroelectronics | STMicroelectronics | STMicroelectronics | STMicroelectronics |
| Package | UFBGA-132 (7x7 mm) | UFBGA-132 (7x7 mm) - same | UFBGA-132 (7x7 mm) - same | LQFP-144 - different footprint |
| Flash Memory | 384 KB | 256 KB (-33%) | 256 KB (-33%) | 384 KB (matched) |
| SRAM | 32 KB | 32 KB (matched) | 32 KB (matched) | 32 KB (matched) |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 32 MHz | 32 MHz (matched) | 32 MHz (matched) | 32 MHz (matched) |
| Hardware AES-128 | Yes | No (L152 = no AES) | Yes | Yes |
| USB 2.0 FS | Yes (Device/Host/OTG) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Integrated LCD Controller | Yes (8x40 segments) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Integrated Op-Amps | 2x | 2x | 2x | 2x |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
Key Differentiators
- Highest Flash density in L1 family with integrated crypto and LCD (vs STM32L152QDH6TR)
- Compact 7x7 mm BGA footprint for wearable and handheld designs (vs STM32L162RCT6 (LQFP-64))
- Cortex-M3 instruction set with Thumb-2 density (vs STM32L073RBT6 (Cortex-M0+))
Design Notes
Decouple each VDD/VDDA pin pair with a 100 nF X7R 0402 within 2 mm of the ball. Add a shared 10 uF + 100 nF bulk near the regulator output (typically LP38690 or TPS7A0230 3.3 V LDO). When using Stop-mode with RTC, ensure VDD never drops below the 1.65 V BOR threshold to keep SRAM state intact; an external voltage supervisor (e.g., TPS3823) is recommended for primary-cell metering applications where battery voltage can sag.
The 132-ball UFBGA-132 7x7 mm package uses a 0.5 mm pitch and benefits from a 4-layer PCB with continuous ground plane. Escape routes fan out to inner layers via microvias; the inner layer should be a dedicated GND plane to reduce crosstalk between high-speed GPIOs and analog peripherals. Keep the 32.768 kHz crystal trace short (<5 mm) and shielded by the GND plane. Place SDIO / USB differential pairs over an unbroken GND reference, with series 22 ohm resistors at the MCU balls.
At 32 MHz active with all peripherals on, the STM32L162QDH6TR dissipates roughly 0.03 W - thermal issues are negligible. However, when operating in industrial environments up to +85 C ambient, the UFBGA thermal pad (if any on this package) and PCB copper-pour mass influence long-term reliability. For designs that continuously run at full speed (rare, since L-series is for Stop-mode bursts), derate by 1.5x beyond 70 C ambient.
Common pitfalls: (1) Forgetting to enable the BOR bit in the RCC_CSR register - leaving the MCU at 1.8 V with corrupted SRAM; (2) Using the USB Pull-up on PA11 only when the GPIO clock is enabled; (3) Driving the LCD with an external charge pump when the internal one suffices and you forgot to set LCDREF; (4) For STM32L152 downgrade, overlooking absence of AES - your crypto library will compile but fail at runtime.
Route ADC inputs away from switching power traces. The on-chip 12-bit ADC at 1 Msps needs at least a 4x oversampling-decimation filter to hit 16-bit effective resolution. Place a ferrite bead between VDD and VDDA, with each having its own decoupling. The two on-chip op-amps (OPAMP1, OPAMP2) must share the analog ground, not the digital ground - keep VSSA trace wide and short.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free confirmed by DigiKey distributor listing as of 2026-10-10. Halogen-free and conflict-minerals compliance not explicitly stated in the verified web data - set to unknown to avoid fabrication. Part is industrial/consumer grade, not AEC-Q100 automotive, so it is not suited to automotive safety-critical designs; automotive users should look at the dedicated AEC-Q100 STM32L1 parts from ST.
