36 MHz ARM Cortex-M3 with 128 KB Flash — the value-line MCU for cost-optimised embedded control
The part is built for cost-sensitive embedded control applications where the full-speed 72 MHz STM32F103 is overkill — think motor drive interfaces, sensor hubs, and industrial I/O modules that need a Cortex-M3 core without the higher clock or USB peripheral.
The 16 KB RAM (organised as 16K x 8) handles a few dozen frames of sensor data or a small protocol buffer.
48-UFQFPN (7x7 mm) — compact, thermally enhanced, hand-solderable
The 48-UFQFN exposed-pad package (7x7 mm body) is a space-saver for two-layer boards where every square millimetre counts.
Industrial temperature range and integrated peripherals
The internal oscillator trims to 1% accuracy over temperature, so many designs can skip the external crystal for the main clock — though the RTC still needs a 32.768 kHz crystal if timekeeping matters.
The STM32F1 series has broad installed base and multiple second-source options within the family, so supply risk is manageable even in constrained markets.