ARM Cortex-M3 at 50 MHz — what it means for the control loop
The LM3S618-EQN50-C2: 32-bit ARM Cortex-M3 MCU from the Stellaris® series, clocked at 50 MHz with 32 KB Flash and 8K x 8 SRAM. It has 30 I/O, a 6-channel 10-bit ADC, and serial interfaces including Microwire, SPI, SSI, and UART/USART.
NRND — not for new designs
This part carries an NRND (Not Recommended for New Designs) status. It is still available for existing production runs through the independent distribution channel, but TI has signaled that a last-time-buy window will close.
Sourcing reality for the LM3S618-EQN50-C2
Because this MCU is NRND, the standard authorized-distributor pipeline is winding down. We source it through our multi-supplier network — quoted to order against an RFQ, with availability and current pricing confirmed at quote time. If you are filling a BOM line for a legacy product, we can secure the quantity; if you are prototyping, you should evaluate a pin-compatible successor first.
Package and footprint — 48-LQFP 7x7 mm
The LM3S618-EQN50-C2 comes in a 48-lead LQFP with a 7x7 mm body. That is a common footprint across the Stellaris family, which means a board laid out for this part can often accept a higher-density sibling with the same pinout.