What is the difference between STM32F, STM32L, STM32H, and STM32G series?

The STM32 series from STMicroelectronics is a popular family of 32-bit ARM Cortex-M microcontrollers. Each sub-series (STM32F, STM32L, STM32H, and STM32G) is designed to cater to different application needs, focusing on specific features such as performance, power efficiency, or cost-effectiveness. Here's a breakdown of the differences:

1. STM32F Series

• Focus: General-purpose microcontrollers with a balance of performance, features, and cost.

• Core: ARM Cortex-M0, M3, M4, or M7.

• Performance:

  • Clock speeds up to 216 MHz (Cortex-M7).

  • Floating-point unit (FPU) available in Cortex-M4 and M7.

• Features:

  • Rich peripheral set (timers, ADCs, communication interfaces like UART, SPI, I2C, USB, CAN, etc.).

  • Suitable for a wide range of applications, from industrial control to consumer electronics.

• Power Consumption: Moderate power consumption, not optimized for ultra-low power.

• Applications: Motor control, IoT devices, home appliances, and general embedded systems.

2. STM32L Series

• Focus: Ultra-low power microcontrollers for energy-efficient applications.

• Core: ARM Cortex-M0+, M3, M4, or M33.

• Performance:

  • Clock speeds up to 80 MHz (Cortex-M4) or 110 MHz (Cortex-M33).

  • FPU available in Cortex-M4 and M33.

• Features:

  • Optimized for low power consumption with multiple low-power modes.

  • Integrated peripherals like LCD controllers, analog comparators, and low-power timers.

  • Advanced security features in some models (e.g., Cortex-M33 with TrustZone).

• Power Consumption: Extremely low power consumption, ideal for battery-operated devices.

• Applications: Wearables, medical devices, smart sensors, and IoT edge nodes.

3. STM32H Series

• Focus: High-performance microcontrollers for demanding applications.

• Core: ARM Cortex-M7 or Cortex-M4.

• Performance:

  • Clock speeds up to 480 MHz (Cortex-M7).

  • Double-precision FPU and DSP instructions.

  • Large memory options (up to 2MB Flash and 1MB RAM).

• Features:

  • High-speed peripherals (e.g., Ethernet, USB HS, CAN FD).

  • Advanced graphics support (Chrom-ART Accelerator).

  • External memory interfaces (e.g., SDRAM, NAND/NOR Flash).

• Power Consumption: Higher power consumption due to high performance.

• Applications: Advanced motor control, AI at the edge, industrial automation, and high-end consumer electronics.

4. STM32G Series

• Focus: Cost-effective and versatile microcontrollers for mainstream applications.

• Core: ARM Cortex-M0+ or Cortex-M4.

• Performance:

  • Clock speeds up to 170 MHz (Cortex-M4).

  • FPU available in Cortex-M4.

• Features:

  • Balanced mix of performance and power efficiency.

  • Integrated analog peripherals (e.g., op-amps, comparators).

  • Enhanced security features (e.g., secure firmware installation).

• Power Consumption: Lower power consumption than STM32F but not as low as STM32L.

• Applications: Consumer electronics, industrial control, and cost-sensitive IoT devices.

Comparison Summary

Choosing the Right Series

• STM32F: For general-purpose applications requiring a balance of performance and cost.

• STM32L: For battery-powered or energy-efficient applications.

• STM32H: For high-performance applications requiring advanced processing and connectivity.

• STM32G: For cost-sensitive applications with moderate performance and power requirements.

Each series is supported by ST's comprehensive development ecosystem, including STM32CubeMX, HAL libraries, and extensive documentation, making it easier to select and develop for the right microcontroller.