STM32 GPIO Tutorial

In this STM32 GPIO tutorial, we’ll discuss the STM32 GPIO hardware’s internal functionalities. How it works on low-level, so you can configure it in the best way to meet your applications’ needs. We’ll get into the GPIO speed, alternative functions, locking mechanism, and different possible configurations. So let’s get started!

Table of Contents

  1. STM32 GPIO Ports
  2. STM32 GPIO Speed
  3. STM32 GPIO Bit Atomic Operations
  4. STM32 GPIO Interrupts
  5. Remapping Alternate Function Pins in STM32
  6. STM32 GPIO Locking Mechanism
  7. STM32 GPIO Configurations
  8. STM32 GPIO Concluding Remarks
  9. More STM32 GPIO Tutorials & Examples

STM32 GPIO Ports

Each of the general-purpose I/O ports has two 32-bit configuration registers, two 32-bit data registers, a 32-bit set/reset register, a 16-bit reset register, and a 32-bit locking register. Each I/O port bit is freely programmable, however, the I/O port registers must be accessed as 32-bit words (half-word or byte accesses are not allowed). The purpose of the set/reset registers is to allow atomic read/modify accesses to any of the GPIO registers. This way, there is no risk that an IRQ occurs between the read and modify access.

Here is a digital diagram for the internal structure of a typical GPIO pin. It shows the diode protection, internal pull-up or down enable/disable, and also the push-pull output driver, output enable/disable for switching between input/output pin modes, Schmitt-triggered digital input, and analog input.

STM32 GPIO Internal Diagram - ARM Tutorials

STM32 GPIO Voltage (Output/Input)

The STM32 GPIO output voltage level is 3.3v and the GPIO input voltage is also 3.3v while some of these input pins are 5v tolerant. But you have to refer to the datasheet to make sure which input pins are 5v tolerant.

You have to assume that all GPIO pins are not 5v tolerant by default until you find in the datasheet that a specific pin is 5v tolerant, only then you can use it as a 5v pin. The pins are mostly 3.3V and can be damaged when hooked up to 5V digital input lines. Level shifting may be mandatory in many cases.

STM32 GPIO Maximum Voltage

STM32 GPIO Max Current (Output/Input)

STM32 GPIO pins have a maximum current limit of 25mA per IO pin. This is the maximum current that can be sourced or sunk by any IO pin.

So you have to be careful with the voltage level for input pins. And also you’ve to pay attention to the output current when you set GPIO output pins. The maximum current that could be sourced or sunk into any GPIO pin is 25mA as per the datasheet. And you’ve to check it for the specific target STM32 microcontroller you’re dealing with.

STM32 GPIO Output Current Maximum


STM32 GPIO Speed

The STM32 GPIO lines have a programmable speed control that can be used to set the “slew rate” of the IO lines which dictates the maximum allowable speed that the IO line can be driven at. In this section, we’ll summarize this GPIO speed control feature with all of its possible configurations (options).

STM32 GPIO Input Speed

When a GPIO pin is set to input mode, the data present on the I/O pin is sampled into the Input Data Register every APB2 clock cycle. This means the APB2 bus speed determines the input sampling speed for the GPIO pins.

STM32 GPIO Output Speed

When a GPIO pin is set to output mode, you’ll have the option to configure the pin speed mode by programming the respective bits in the configuration registers. Down below is a table for the different modes available in the datasheet for the STM32F103C8 microcontroller.

STM32 GPIO Pin Speed Modes Table

However, other microcontrollers will have different options for the pin output speed. For example, the other microcontroller we’ll be using in this course STM32L432KC. It has a dedicated speed control register for GPIO pins, which have 4 different speed options: Low-speed, Medium-speed, High-speed, and Very High-speed.

STM32 GPIO Output Speed Control Register

You’ll find what do these speed grades translate to in the device datasheet IO pin characteristics. Here is the table for this parameter from the STM32L432KC datasheet table.

❕ Note

Note: Typical values depend on various parameters of which the VDDio line voltage, and the total pin capacitance.

  • Low Speed -> Up to 10MHz
  • Medium Speed -> Up to 50MHz
  • High Speed -> Up to 100MHz
  • Very High Speed -> Up to 180MHz
STM32 GPIO Output Speed Options
This table, for reference only, shows only the low-speed mode. The other modes are in the complete table in the datasheet.


STM32 GPIO Bit Atomic Operations

There is no need for the software to disable interrupts when programming the GPIOx_ODR at the bit level: it is possible to modify only one or several bits in a single atomic APB2 write access. This is achieved by programming to ‘1’ the Bit Set/Reset Register (GPIOx_BSRR, or for reset only GPIOx_BRR) to select the bits to modify. The unselected bits will not be modified.


STM32 GPIO Interrupts

All ports have external interrupt capability. To use external interrupt lines, the port must be configured in input mode. We’ll discuss this in a more detailed manner when we get into the EXTI  (external interrupt/event controller) topic.


Remapping Alternate Function Pins in STM32

To optimize the number of peripheral I/O functions for different device packages, it is possible to remap some alternate functions to some other pins. This is achieved by software, by programming the corresponding registers.

This option can help you remap the peripherals io pins, so you don’t have to change so much in the PCB layout when you change the target microcontroller on the board. This can be extremely advantageous and ease the routing process. And helps you move the high-speed signals away so as to reduce the noise level at certain parts.


STM32 GPIO Locking Mechanism

The locking mechanism allows the IO configuration to be frozen. When the LOCK sequence has been applied to a port bit, it is no longer possible to modify the value of the port bit until the next reset.


STM32 GPIO Configurations

Subject to the specific hardware characteristics of each I/O port listed in the datasheet, each port bit of the General Purpose IO (GPIO) Ports, can be individually configured by software in several modes:

Output Configuration

  • Output Open-Drain
  • Output Push-Pull

Input Configuration

  • Input Floating (Hi-Z)
  • Input Pull-Up
  • Input Pull-Down

Alternate Function Configuration

  • Alternate Function Push-Pull
  • Alternate Function Open-Drain

Analog Configuration


STM32 GPIO Concluding Remarks

Not all STM32 GPIO Pin are 5v tolerant. Mostly they are 3.3v. You have to enable the clock for the GPIO you want to use regardless of the mode of operation. When configuring a GPIO output pin, you can select the speed suitable for your application whether you need high-frequency switching on the IO line or not.

The APB2 bus speed determines the sampling rate for all GPIO input configured pins. You can disconnect any GPIO pin (make it high impedance) by setting it into input mode with Hi-Z. You can freeze or lock the GPIO pins configuration after the system initialization if no change is intended using the locking mechanism.

Alternative function pins can be interchanged (remapped) internally so you can enjoy more freedom in routing these signals. All STM32 GPIO pins are interrupt-capable pins but have to be configured within the EXTI as we’ll see later on in this STM32 tutorials series.


More STM32 GPIO Tutorials & Examples

You can check the STM32 GPIO tutorials below to learn more about STM32 GPIO and do some example projects to practice what you’ll learn.

Share This Page With Your Network!
Join Our +25,000 Newsletter Subscribers!

Stay Updated With All New Content Releases. You Also Get Occasional FREE Coupon Codes For Courses & Other Stuff!

Photo of author
Author
Khaled Magdy
Embedded systems engineer with several years of experience in embedded software and hardware design. I work as an embedded SW engineer in the Automotive & e-Mobility industry. However, I still do Hardware design and SW development for DSP, Control Systems, Robotics, AI/ML, and other fields I'm passionate about.
I love reading, writing, creating projects, and teaching. A reader by day and a writer by night, it's my lifestyle. I believe that the combination of brilliant minds, bold ideas, and a complete disregard for what is possible, can and will change the world! I will be there when it happens, will you?

Leave a Comment