[STM32](https://www.ampheo.com/search/STM32) is a family of 32-bit ARM Cortex-M [microcontroller](https://www.ampheo.com/c/microcontrollers) (MCU) chips developed by [STMicroelectronics](https://www.ampheo.com/manufacturer/stmicroelectronics). These MCUs are widely used in embedded systems for their high performance, low power consumption, and rich peripheral set.

**Key Features of STM32**
✅ ARM Cortex-M Cores (M0, M0+, M3, M4, M7, M33)
✅ Wide Performance Range (From 16 MHz to 550+ MHz)
✅ Low Power Modes (Critical for battery-powered devices)
✅ Rich Peripherals (ADC, DAC, Timers, PWM, UART, SPI, I2C, USB, CAN, Ethernet)
✅ Extensive Ecosystem (STM32CubeIDE, HAL/LL libraries, FreeRTOS support)

**STM32 Series Comparison**
Series Core Max Freq Key Features Best For
[STM32F1](https://www.ampheo.com/search/STM32F1) Cortex-M3 72 MHz Basic, cost-effective Legacy projects
[STM32F4](https://www.ampheo.com/search/STM32F4) Cortex-M4 180 MHz DSP, FPU Motor control, audio
[STM32H7](https://www.ampheo.com/search/STM32H7) Cortex-M7/M4 550 MHz Dual-core, high-speed AI, GUI, advanced control
[STM32L4](https://www.ampheo.com/search/STM32L4) Cortex-M4 80 MHz Ultra-low power IoT, wearables
[STM32G0](https://www.ampheo.com/search/STM32G0) Cortex-M0+ 64 MHz Budget-friendly Simple embedded apps
[STM32WB](https://www.ampheo.com/search/STM32WB) Cortex-M4 + M0+ 64 MHz Bluetooth/Wi-Fi Wireless IoT

**Why Use STM32?**
✔ High Performance (Faster than 8-bit MCUs like AVR)
✔ Scalability (Choose from 1000+ variants)
✔ Low Power (STM32L4 consumes < 10 µA in standby)
✔ Rich Development Tools (STM32CubeMX, PlatformIO, Keil, IAR)

**How to Get Started with STM32**
**1. Hardware Needed**

* STM32 Dev Board (e.g., [STM32F103C8T6](https://www.ampheo.com/product/stm32f103c8t6-131876) "Blue Pill", Nucleo-64)
* USB-to-Serial Adapter (if not built-in)
* ST-Link Debugger (for flashing/debugging)

**2. Software Setup**

* Install STM32CubeIDE (Free official IDE)
* Use STM32CubeMX for pinout configuration & code generation

**3. Write & Upload Code**

Example (Blink LED using HAL):

c
#include "stm32f4xx_hal.h"

int main() {
  HAL_Init();
  __HAL_RCC_GPIOD_CLK_ENABLE();
  GPIO_InitTypeDef led = {.Pin = GPIO_PIN_12, .Mode = GPIO_MODE_OUTPUT_PP};
  HAL_GPIO_Init(GPIOD, &led);
  
  while (1) {
    HAL_GPIO_TogglePin(GPIOD, GPIO_PIN_12);
    HAL_Delay(500); // 500ms blink
  }
}

Flash via ST-Link or USB DFU

**STM32 vs. Alternatives**

**Common Applications**
* Industrial Automation (PLC, motor control)
* Consumer Electronics (Drones, smart home devices)
* Medical Devices (Portable monitors)
* Automotive (ECUs, sensors)
* IoT Edge Devices (LPWAN, wearables)

**Did You Know?**
* The [STM32F4](https://www.ampheoelec.de/search/STM32F4) series includes a floating-point unit (FPU), making it ideal for [DSP](https://www.ampheo.com/c/dsp-digital-signal-processors) tasks.
* The [STM32H7](https://www.ampheoelec.de/search/STM32H7) is used in high-end applications like real-time oscilloscopes.