STM32 microcontrollers offer multiple types of timers, each optimized for specific applications such as timekeeping, PWM, input capture, output compare, and encoder interfacing. Here's a comprehensive overview of the STM32 Timer types and their typical use cases:

1. General-Purpose Timers (TIM2–TIM5, TIM9–TIM14)
Features:

• 16-bit or 32-bit counters
• Up/down counting
• PWM generation
• Input capture / output compare
• Interrupt and DMA support

Applications:

• Generating periodic interrupts (e.g., system tick)
• PWM for motor control or LED dimming
• Measuring input pulse width (e.g., ultrasonic distance sensors)
• Debouncing buttons with timer delay

2. Advanced-Control Timers (TIM1, TIM8)
Features:

• All general-purpose features
• Dead-time insertion
• Complementary outputs (CH1/CH1N, etc.)
• Break and fault inputs
• Designed for motor control (e.g., 3-phase)

Applications:

• Motor control (BLDC, PMSM)
• High-resolution PWM for power electronics
• Inverter control
• Safety-critical applications (with break/lock features)

3. Basic Timers (TIM6, TIM7)
Features:

• Simple 16-bit timers with no input/output channels
• Mainly used for time base generation
• Can trigger DAC or ADC conversions

Applications:

• Time delays or periodic interrupts
• Triggering DACs (e.g., waveform generation)
• Scheduling RTOS tasks
• Software timers for non-critical tasks

4. System Timer (SysTick)
Features:

• 24-bit timer built into the Cortex-M core
• Typically used for OS tick or simple timekeeping
• High-priority interrupt

Applications:

• RTOS tick timer (e.g., FreeRTOS)
• Simple millisecond or microsecond counters
• Delay functions (HAL_Delay())

5. Low-Power Timers (LPTIM1, LPTIM2)
Features:

• Designed for operation in low-power modes (e.g., STOP/SLEEP)
• 16-bit with wake-up capability
• Can be clocked by LSE, LSI

Applications:

• RTC-style low-power timekeeping
• Wake-up timers in sleep mode
• Capacitive touch sensing (via external pulses)
• Energy-efficient PWM

6. Real-Time Clock (RTC)
Features:

• Counts real time (seconds, minutes, etc.)
• Powered by LSE or LSI (low-frequency clock)
• Calendar, alarms, timestamping
• Runs in backup domain

Applications:

• Calendar and timekeeping
• Time-stamped data logging
• Wakeup events from standby or shutdown
• Battery-powered devices

Typical STM32 Timer Use Case Matrix

Bonus: Using TIM for Quadrature Encoders
General-purpose and advanced timers can be configured for encoder mode:

c

htim2.Instance = TIM2;
htim2.Init.EncoderMode = TIM_ENCODERMODE_TI12;

Used in:

• Rotary encoders for angle/speed detection
• Robotics, CNC, motor feedback