Overview of Domestic Alternatives for ST MCU with Price Increases and Shortages

1. Beijing Zhaoyi Innovation Technology Co., Ltd.

GD32 is a mainstream choice in the field of 32-bit general-purpose MCUs in China, with cumulative shipments exceeding 200 million units, more than 10,000 users, and a wide application coverage of over 300 product models across 20 series, maintaining a leading position in the market. GD32 uses the Cortex-M3 core and is fully compatible with STM32 models, making it easy to replace, with a higher main frequency.

2. Huada Semiconductor

The HC32 series with state-owned enterprise background is based on ARM Cortex-M0+ and Cortex-M4 cores, including the ultra-low power HC32L series for low power applications and the HC32M series for motor application markets, as well as the cost-effective HC32F series for the general market, which is pin-compatible with ST’s models and can be directly replaced.

3. CETC (China Electronics Technology Group Corporation)

The 32-bit MCU products from CETC can replace STM32 series such as F103, F030, F031, and F051 in bulk. Based on the ARM architecture, it covers eight major series products with Cortex-M0, M3, and M4 cores, with hardware pins compatible with STM32 P2P. The software adopts register-level compatibility design, allowing HEX files developed for ST series MCUs to be directly burned into the corresponding models of CETC MCUs without excessive modifications.

4. Nanjing Qinheng Microelectronics Co., Ltd.

Nanjing Qinheng Microelectronics Co., Ltd. is an integrated circuit design company established in 2004, located in Nanjing, Jiangsu. Since its establishment, the company has always been technology-oriented, focusing on research and innovation in chip design and application technology in the Internet of Things field, committed to providing customers with chips and solutions for interconnectivity.

5. Artery Technology

Artery’s AT32F403A/F407/F413/F415/F421 series can replace STM32 series F030, F303, F103, F107, F072, F401, and F411 in bulk, with hardware pins compatible with STM32 P2P and highly compatible software. Due to the significant improvements in performance compared to STM32 in terms of core, SRAM, and peripherals, AT32 can replace multiple STM32 chips. Additionally, it features unique safety and secondary development functions: security Lib, and a wider operating temperature range: -40~105 degrees.

6. Zhongwei Co., Ltd. (CMSemicon)

CMSemicon’s high-performance, low-power, highly integrated MCUs can replace STM32F030/031 series, STM32G030/031 series, and STM32L031/051 series in bulk.

7. Shenzhen Hangsung Chip Technology R&D Co., Ltd.

Hangsung has mass-produced MCU products based on ARM Cortex-M0 and Cortex-M3 cores, including: the HK32F103 family for the general high-performance market, the HK32F030/031/03X family, and the EEPROM memory family. The ultra-low power 7nA and secure application HK32L family, as well as the HK32W/B family with various wireless connectivity functions, will be launched in 2019 to meet diverse customer needs.

8. Shanghai Lingdong Microelectronics Co., Ltd.

The MM32 series based on ARM Cortex-M0 and Cortex-M3 cores includes: the MM32F series for the general high-performance market, the MM32L series for ultra-low power and secure applications, the MM32W series with various wireless connectivity functions, the MM32SPIN series specifically for motor drive and control, and the OTP type MM32P series, all of which are fully compatible in pin, model, etc., with ST, making replacement costs very low.

9. Shenzhen Betel Electronic Technology Co., Ltd.

Betel’s BLM32F103 series microcontroller is the first domestic single-chip solution based on the M3 series. The BLM32F103 series microcontroller also adopts the high-performance ARM Cortex-M3 32-bit RISC core and provides a wide voltage supply of 2.5~5.5V, making the MCU suitable for a wider power supply voltage range. It fully meets the 32-bit usage needs in industrial sites, white goods, and human-machine interface electrical environments. Moreover, the MCU solutions provided by Betel feature industry-leading integration and incorporate the needs of industry customers into product innovation, making them suitable for localized industry customization applications. As one of the few domestic 32-bit MCU manufacturers, Betel provides more considerate technical support services, with fast response to various technical issues from customers. It can be said that local MCU manufacturers have natural competitive advantages in terms of cost, service, and response speed, making it easier to cooperate with local enterprises and markets, responding more flexibly and quickly, and communicating more smoothly.

10. Guomin Technology Co., Ltd.

Guomin Technology Co., Ltd. (abbreviated: Guomin Technology) is a leading enterprise in the field of information security IC design in China and a national high-tech enterprise, with a leading advantage in commercial cryptography for twenty years and a postdoctoral research workstation. Established in 2000 as part of the national “909” integrated circuit special project, it was listed on the Growth Enterprise Market in 2010 (stock code: 300077) and is a vice president unit of the China Listed Companies Association. Headquartered in Shenzhen, it has branches in Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan, Xi’an, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Los Angeles.

11. Zhuhai Geehy Semiconductor Co., Ltd.

Zhuhai Geehy Semiconductor Co., Ltd. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aipake Microelectronics, formerly the IoT chip division of Aipake. Its headquarters is Nasta Technology Co., Ltd. (one of the top 500 listed companies in China, stock code: 002180). Geehy Semiconductor has 20 years of integrated circuit chip design experience and is a provider of industrial-grade general microcontrollers, low-power Bluetooth chips, and leading industrial IoT SoC-eSE large security chip products and solutions in China. It is committed to providing higher quality products and services for industrial control, consumer electronics, medical devices, smart homes, and automotive applications.

12. Hefei Jiantian Electronics Co., Ltd.

Hefei Jiantian Electronics Co., Ltd. is a high-tech enterprise focusing on the development of smart chips, sensors, and AIoT system products, with multiple patents and copyrights, possessing core competitiveness in low power consumption, NVM storage, high-performance analog, and sensors. The core team comes from Huawei, Microchip, MTK, etc., with 20 years of industry experience. The team is balanced, driven by technology and market. With 20 years of industry experience, they are familiar with the Pearl River Delta market and the Yangtze River Delta industrial chain, with an international perspective and linkage with Silicon Valley.

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