STM8L101K3T3 - 16MHz 8KB 8-Bit MCU | STMicroelectronics
MPN: STM8L101K3T3 ✓ ActiveSTM8L101K3T3 Overview
An ultra-low-power microcontroller is a semiconductor category intended to minimize both active and standby energy consumption. Within the product hierarchy, the STM8L101K3T3 belongs to the STM8L family of 8-bit RISC microcontrollers and serves as a low-power system controller for battery-operated, portable and space-constrained products. Its low-power operating range is especially relevant to designs where the controller must remain responsive while consuming minimal energy between user actions or sensor events.
Principal features include operation from 1.65 V to 3.6 V, a maximum CPU frequency of 16 MHz, up to 8 KB of Flash memory, 18 I/O ports and an enhanced STM8 CPU core capable of up to 16 MIPS at 16 MHz. The device family also provides multifunction timers, comparators, USART, SPI and I2C interfaces, allowing a compact design to handle timing, analog comparisons and serial communication without requiring several discrete interface components.
The STM8 CPU core provides an 8-bit processing architecture optimized for compact embedded control rather than high-performance computing. At 16 MHz, the core can execute up to 16 million instructions per second, which is appropriate for state machines, sensor aggregation, actuator control and low-rate serial data handling. The 8 KB Flash limit means that firmware and constants must be planned carefully, particularly when application code, boot logic and lookup tables share the available program-memory budget.
Typical uses include battery-powered sensor nodes, compact industrial controllers, home-automation endpoints, portable measurement instruments, low-power remote controls and embedded accessories. Its combination of serial interfaces supports sensors and transceivers connected through I2C or SPI, while USART can connect the controller to a host, modem or local configuration interface. The 32-LQFP package also offers enough peripheral connections for systems that need more I/O than a compact 20-pin package can provide.
Designers should verify the exact pin assignments, alternate-function limitations and low-power mode behavior against the manufacturer documentation before finalizing the PCB. Decoupling should be placed directly at the supply pins, programming and reset access must remain available, and firmware should avoid unnecessary peripheral activity during sleep. These practices help preserve the device family's intended low-power behavior while preserving communication reliability.
This product page consolidates the device's confirmed electrical specifications, package information, lifecycle status and application guidance with a practical comparison against the closest documented STM8L101K3 variants. It also highlights the restrictions involved when replacing one ordered MPN with another temperature-grade or packing option.
Drop-in alternatives for STM8L101K3T3 — 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 STM8L101K3T3 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Flash Memory, Package, Product Type, Serial Interfaces.
STM8L101K3T6
✅ Drop-InContact for price
View Datasheet →STM8L101K3T6TR
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
STM8L101K3T3 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Type | 8-bit ultra-low-power microcontroller |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 16 MHz |
| Maximum Processing Performance | 16 MIPS at 16 MHz |
| Flash Memory | Up to 8 KB (8K × 8) |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.65 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Port Count | 18 ports |
| Package | 32-LQFP, 7 mm × 7 mm |
| Pin Count | 32 pins |
| CPU Architecture | Enhanced STM8 8-bit RISC core |
| Timers | Multifunction timers |
| Analog Peripherals | Comparators |
| Serial Interfaces | USART, SPI and I2C |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40°C to +125°C |
| Lifecycle Status | Active |
| RoHS Compliance | Compliant |
| Mounting Type | Surface mount |
| Manufacturer | STMicroelectronics |
STM8L101K3T3 32-lqfp, 7 mm × 7 mm Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for STM8L101K3T3 (32-lqfp, 7 mm × 7 mm package). This digital IC includes GPIO, communication interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C), and power pins. Refer to the manufacturer datasheet for alternate pin functions and configuration options. Essential for embedded system design and PCB layout.
No detailed pinout data available for STM8L101K3T3.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
STM8L101K3T3 is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered Sensor Node, Compact Industrial Control Module, Home Automation Endpoint, Portable Measurement Instrument, Low-Power Remote Control, Smart Home Sensor Gateway.
Battery-Powered Sensor Node
The STM8L101K3T3 fits a battery-powered sensor node because its STM8L low-power architecture operates from 1.65 V to 3.6 V while retaining a 16 MHz execution rate. The controller can sample sensors, apply filtering and manage a duty-cycled sleep schedule without keeping every peripheral active. Its 8 KB Flash budget suits compact acquisition logic, while the 18 available I/O ports provide connections for sensors, status indicators and a low-power enable path.
Recommended
Compact Industrial Control Module
The STM8L101K3T3 is appropriate for compact industrial control modules that combine sequencing, discrete inputs and limited local communications. Its 16 MHz STM8 core supports responsive state-machine control, and the integrated comparators can assist with threshold and fault detection. The 1.65 V to 3.6 V supply range supports low-energy logic rails, while USART, SPI and I2C provide paths to local sensors, transceivers and service connectors.
Recommended
Home Automation Endpoint
The STM8L101K3T3 can serve as a home-automation endpoint for a compact wall controller, room sensor or appliance interface. Its I2C and SPI peripherals support digital sensors and local transceivers, while USART offers a simple path to a host controller or configuration tool. At 16 MHz, the MCU provides enough performance for command handling, indicator logic and debounce routines, and the 8 KB Flash capacity favors focused embedded tasks.
Recommended
Portable Measurement Instrument
The STM8L101K3T3 supports portable measurement instruments that need local control, data acquisition and a simple serial link. Its 16 MHz processing rate is suitable for digital filtering, calibration tables and instrument-state management, while its 18 I/O ports can serve displays, switches and sensors. The 1.65 V minimum operating voltage is useful for battery-based designs, provided the firmware disables unused peripherals before the controller enters its low-power state.
Recommended
Low-Power Remote Control
The STM8L101K3T3 is well suited to a low-power remote control because it combines an 8-bit STM8L controller with a 16 MHz maximum clock and a supply range beginning at 1.65 V. It can decode buttons, drive indicators and manage a short-range communication link without requiring a larger processor. The compact 32-LQFP package preserves PCB area, while the integrated USART, SPI and I2C interfaces offer flexibility for an attached radio or sensor.
Recommended
Smart Home Sensor Gateway
The STM8L101K3T3 can act as a smart-home sensor gateway when the design requires local aggregation rather than a full application processor. Its 8 KB Flash can hold routing logic and device filtering, and the 16 MHz core can handle periodic sensor polling, protocol framing and status reporting. I2C and SPI suit short-range digital devices, while USART provides a straightforward bridge to a higher-level communications module or service interface.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for STM8L101K3T3 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | STM8L101K3T6 | STM8L101K3T6TR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | STMicroelectronics | STMicroelectronics | STMicroelectronics |
| Brand | STMicroelectronics | STMicroelectronics | STMicroelectronics |
| Package | 32-LQFP (7 mm × 7 mm) | 32-LQFP (7 mm × 7 mm) - same | 32-LQFP (7 mm × 7 mm) - same |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 16 MHz | 16 MHz | 16 MHz |
| Maximum Processing Performance | 16 MIPS at 16 MHz | 16 MIPS at 16 MHz | 16 MIPS at 16 MHz |
| Flash Memory | Up to 8 KB | Up to 8 KB | Up to 8 KB |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.65 V to 3.6 V | 1.65 V to 3.6 V | 1.65 V to 3.6 V |
| Temperature Grade | T3 grade, up to 85°C | T6 grade, up to 125°C | T6 grade, up to 125°C |
| Serial Interfaces | USART, SPI and I2C | USART, SPI and I2C | USART, SPI and I2C |
| I/O Port Count | 18 ports | 18 ports | 18 ports |
Key Differentiators
- Lower-temperature-grade ordering option (vs STM8L101K3T6)
- Standard-temperature-grade alternative retains the full footprint (vs STM8L101K3T6TR)
- Compact low-voltage control platform (vs STM8L101K3T6TR)
Design Notes
Place the supply bypass capacitor directly beside the STM8L101K3T3 power pins and route the return path without narrow interruptions. Although the device operates down to 1.65 V, low supply voltage leaves less margin for trace resistance, source impedance and simultaneous peripheral current. Confirm the minimum operating voltage of every attached peripheral and size the regulator for the worst-case load rather than the controller's average current.
Use the manufacturer package drawing and pin-description table to assign every LQFP-32 connection. Keep programming, reset and clock-trace access available on the PCB, and avoid long branches beneath the device where they can increase coupling. The 18 I/O ports must be checked against alternate-function restrictions; a pin used for SPI, I2C or USART may not support every general-purpose input or output function at the same time.
Do not treat STM8L101K3T3, STM8L101K3T6 and STM8L101K3T6TR as identical manufacturing codes. The T6 variants extend the upper temperature limit by 40°C, and the TR suffix selects tape-and-reel packaging. Software should also avoid assuming that every peripheral remains clocked in a low-power mode. Disable unused peripherals and confirm the wake conditions, run-time state and timing behavior in the manufacturer documentation.
Compliance Information
The component listing identifies the device as RoHS compliant. No additional REACH, lead-free, halogen-free or conflict-minerals declarations were identified.
