Sunday, January 31, 2016

XNUCLEO-F401RE Improved STM32 NUCLEO Board

XNUCLEO-F401RE Features


  • Compatible with NUCLEO-F401RE, onboard Cortex-M4 microcontroller STM32F401RET6
  • Arduino connectivity support, easy to connect with various Arduino shields and access the massive Arduino resources
  • ST Morpho headers provide full access to all STM32 I/Os, easy for peripheral expansion
  • Supports mbed, build prototype quickly by mbed SDK and online tools
  • Comprehensive free software HAL library including a variety of software examples
  • Comes with a separated ST-LINK/V2 module


CompareXNUCLEONUCLEORemarks
Arduino compatibilityUNO, LeonardoUNOXNUCLEO can be configured by jumper to compatible with UNO (default) or Leonardo
Arduino ICSP interfaceYesNoneICSP is required by certain kinds of shields
USB connectivityYesNoneThe USB connector of NUCLEO is for debugging ONLY, not available for USB connection
USB connectorMicro USBMini USBMicro USB is the advanced USB standard
Morpho headers markMostNoneNow you can check the PCB mark instead of datasheet
Common interfaces are connected viaJumpers0Ω resistorsJumpers are much easier to use, need no soldering
UART debuggingAvailable while in-circuit debuggingNot available while in-circuit debuggingThe NUCLEO integrated ST-LINK/V2 functional chip can be simulated as serial port, however, it's not available while in-circuit debugging, whereas XNUCLEO features a stand-alone USB TO UART chip.
8MHz crystalYesNoneTimer is more accurate when using external 8MHz crystal
32.768KHz crystalYesNoneRequired for RTC
USB fuseYes (500mA)NoneThe computer USB interface might be harmed without fuse
LEDs41The more LEDs, the easier to monitor program running status
UART indicatorYesNoneData communication is visible now
DC inputYesNoneA convenience
Button positionClose to PCB edgeClose to Arduino connectorThe button won't be untouchable when connecting with an Arduino shield if it were close to the PCB edge
ST-LINKSeparatedIntegratedST-LINK can be used anywhere else
Comes with USB cableYesNone



  1. STM32F401RET6
    • Core : ARM® 32-bit Cortex™-M4
    • Operating frequency : 84MHz
    • Operating voltage : 1.7V-3.6V
    • Package : LQFP64
    • Memories : 512kB Flash, 96kB SRAM
    • Interfaces : 1 x SDIO, 1 x USB 2.0 FS, 4 x SPI (2 x with I2S), 3 x USART, 3 x I2C
    • AD/DA : 1 x AD (12 bit, 16 channels)
  2. SPX3819M5 : 3.3V voltage regulator
  3. AMS1117-5.0 : 5.0V voltage regulator
  4. CP2102 : USB to UART convertor
  5. Arduino connector : for connecting Arduino shields
  6. ICSP interface : Arduino ICSP
  7. USB TO UART : for debugging
  8. USB connector : USB communication interface
  9. SWD interface : for programming and debugging
  10. ST Morpho headers : access to VCC, GND and all the I/Os, easy for expansion
  11. 6-12V DC input
  12. User button
  13. Reset button
  14. Power indicator
  15. User LED
  16. 500mA fast self-recovery fuse
  17. Serial port Rx/Tx indicator
  18. 8MHz crystal
  19. 32.768KHz crystal
  20. ADC/I2C selection jumper
    • short A and B : Arduino A4, A5 is used as I2C
    • short B and C : Arduino A4, A5 is used as ADC
  21. UART selection jumper
  22. MCU current test jumper : for low power tests
  23. Power selection jumper
    • short 5V and U5V : powered from USB connection
    • short 5V and E5V : powered from external power supply
  24. USB enable jumper
    • short the jumper to enable
    • open the jumper to disable
  25. User button jumper
    • short the jumper to connect to I/Os used in example code
    • open the jumper to connect to other custom pins via jumper wires
  26. User LED jumper
    • short the jumper to connect to I/Os used in example code
    • open the jumper to connect to other custom pins via jumper wires