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This article explains Low-power modes, and provides code examples.

1. Low-power modes Introduction

By default, the microcontroller is in Run mode after a system or power reset. Several low-power modes are available to save power when the CPU does not need to be kept running, for example when waiting for an external event. It is up to the user to select the mode that gives the best compromise between low-power consumption, short startup time and available wakeup sources.

Information

In this article, we will be using the Nucleo STM32L476 for all the demos.

The ultra-low-power STM32L476xx supports 7 low-power modes to achieve the best compromise between low-power consumption, short startup time, available peripherals and available wakeup sources.

Sleep mode
Low power run mode
Low power sleep mode
Stop 0, Stop1, Stop2 modes
Standby mode
Shutdown mode

1.1. Voltage Regulators

Two embedded linear voltage regulators supply most of the digital circuitries: the main regulator (MR) and the low-power regulator (LPR).

The MR is used in the Run and Sleep modes and in the Stop 0 mode.
The LPR is used in Low-Power Run, Low-Power Sleep, Stop 1 and Stop 2 modes. It is also used to supply the 32 Kbyte SRAM2 in Standby with SRAM2 retention.
Both regulators are in power-down in Standby and Shutdown modes: the regulator output is in high impedance, and the kernel circuitry is powered down thus inducing zero consumption.

There are two power consumption ranges:

Range 1 with the CPU running at up to 80 MHz.
Range 2 with a maximum CPU frequency of 26 MHz. All peripheral clocks are also limited to 26 MHz.

File:voltage regulator.png

1.2. Objectives

Create a simple project with each low power mode and wakeup when a button (configured in the EXTI setup) is pressed.
Learn how to set up Low Power modes with the HAL
Verify the correct functionality by measuring the current consumption.

1.3. How to

During this article, we will be using the code from EXTI Overview

2. Sleep mode

2.1. Definition

In sleep mode, the CPU clocks are OFF and there is no effect on other clocks or analog clock sources. All peripherals continue to operate and can wake up the CPU when an interrupt/event occurs.

File:sleep mode.png

2.2. Configure the sleep mode

2.2.1. CubeMX configuration

The system clock is set to 80 MHz.
File:clock configuration sleep.png

An EXTI line is connected to the user button through PC13
LED2 connected to PA5 pin

2.2.2. Code configuration

Open the project from EXTI overview
Open main.c
Add a function to enter Sleep mode.

/* Infinite loop */
/* USER CODE BEGIN WHILE */
while (1)
{
/* USER CODE END WHILE */

/* USER CODE BEGIN 3 */

    HAL_Delay(1000);
    HAL_SuspendTick();
    HAL_PWR_EnterSLEEPMode(PWR_MAINREGULATOR_ON,PWR_SLEEPENTRY_WFI);
    HAL_ResumeTick();

}
/* USER CODE END 3 */

Information

Set all GPIO in analog state to reduce power consumption

Warning

Make sure you are working in Range1

2.3. Compile and flash

Click on Build button
Click on Run button (to execute)

2.4. Measure consumption

Stop any debug session and do a full-power cycle
Use an amperemeter on the IDD connector (JP6 on NucleoL476 - for other boards check their user manual)

File:capture.png

Check the current consumption while in Sleep mode
Press the configured button on the Nucleo board to see the consumption variation.

Information

It is possible to measure the current consumption with STM32Cube Monitor-Power

To do so, check here the STM32 Nucleo expansion board for power consumption measurement User Manual UM2243.

Referring to the datasheet, in Sleep mode at 25°C, VDD = 3V and fHCLK= 80MHz , the current consumption should be 2.96mA

File:datadheet sleep.png

Information

Il est à noter qu'il faut toujours vérifier que la valeur mesurée est bornée entre la valeur TYP et Max dans le datasheet.

Using the STM32Cube Monitor-Power, we measured :

File:final sleep.png

3. Low power run mode

3.1. Definition

This mode is achieved when the system clock frequency is reduced below 2 MHz. The code is executed from the SRAM or the Flash memory. The regulator is in low-power mode to minimize the regulator's operating current.

File:lprun.png

3.2. Configure the low power run mode

3.2.1. CubeMX configuration

The system clock is limited to 2 MHz maximum. The MSI internal RC oscillator can be selected as it supports several frequency ranges

Information

In Low-power run mode, all I/O pins keep the same state as in Run mode.

3.2.2. Code configuration

Open the project from EXTI overview
Open main.c
Add a function to enter low power run mode.

/* Infinite loop */
/* USER CODE BEGIN WHILE */
while (1)
{ /* USER CODE END WHILE */

    /* USER CODE BEGIN 3 */
    HAL_Delay(2000);
    HAL_SuspendTick();
    HAL_PWREx_EnableLowPowerRunMode();
    HAL_ResumeTick();

}
/* USER CODE END 3 */

3.3. Compile and flash

Click on Build button
Click on Run button (to execute)

3.4. Measure the current consumption

Referring to the datasheet, in Low power Run mode at 25°C, Fhclk = 100kHz and VDD = 3V, the current consumption should be 42μA.

File:datasheet LPRUN.png

Using the STM32Cube Monitor-Power, we measured :

File:final lprun.png

4. Low Power Sleep mode

4.1. Definition

This mode is entered from the low-power run mode. Only the CPU clock is stopped. When wakeup is triggered by an event or an interrupt, the system reverts to the low power run mode.

4.2. Configure the low power sleep mode

Open the project from EXTI overview
Open main.c
Add a function to enter Low power Sleep mode.

/* Infinite loop */
/* USER CODE BEGIN WHILE */
while (1)
{ /* USER CODE END WHILE */

    /* USER CODE BEGIN 3 */
    HAL_Delay(2000);
    HAL_SuspendTick();
    HAL_PWR_EnterSLEEPMode(PWR_LOWPOWERREGULATOR_ON, PWR_SLEEPENTRY_WFI);
    HAL_ResumeTick();

}
/* USER CODE END 3 */

Warning

Unlike Sleep mode, in low power sleep mode the main regulator is OFF and the low power regulator is ON.

4.3. Compile and flash

Click on Build button
Click on Run button (to execute)

Warning

This example can not be used in DEBUG mode due to the fact that the Cortex-M4 core is no longer clocked during low power mode so debugging features are disabled.

4.4. Measure the current consumption

Referring to the datasheet, in Low power Sleep mode at 25°C and VDD = 3V, the current consumption should be 33mA

Using the STM32Cube Monitor-Power, we measured :

5. Stop0, Stop1 and Stop2 modes

5.1. Definition

Stop mode achieves the lowest power consumption while retaining the content of SRAM and registers. All clocks in the VCORE domain are stopped, the PLL, the MSI RC, the HSI16 RC and the HSE crystal oscillators are disabled. The LSE or LSI can be kept running. File:Stop mode.jpg

5.2. Stop0 mode

Open the project from EXTI overview

Open main.c
Add a function to suspend the Systick (the SysTick is typically set to raise an interrupt every 1 ms).
Add a function to enter Stop0 mode
Add a function to resume the Systick on wakeup.

/* Infinite loop */
/* USER CODE BEGIN WHILE */
while (1)
{
/* USER CODE END WHILE */

/* USER CODE BEGIN 3 */

    HAL_Delay(1000);
    HAL_SuspendTick();
    HAL_PWREx_EnterSTOP0Mode(PWR_SLEEPENTRY_WFI);
    HAL_ResumeTick();
}
/* USER CODE END 3 */

Information

After using the WFI and entering Stop0, Stop1 or Stop 2 mode, the code in the handler will be executed.

5.2.1. Compile and flash

Click on Build button
Click on Run button (to execute)

5.2.2. Measure the current consumption

Referring to the datasheet, in Stop0 mode at 25°C and VDD = 3.6V, the current consumption should be 113μA

File:datasheet stop0.png

Using the STM32Cube Monitor-Power, we measured :

File:final stop0.png

5.3. Stop1 mode

Stop 1 offers the largest number of active peripherals and wakeup sources, a smaller wakeup time but a higher consumption than Stop 2.

Change only this line in the code : HAL_PWREx_EnterSTOP1Mode(PWR_SLEEPENTRY_WFI);

5.3.1. Compile and flash

Click on Build button
Click on Run button (to execute)

5.3.2. Measure the current consumption

Referring to the datasheet, in Stop1 mode at 25°C and VDD = 3.6V, the current consumption should be 6.70μA

File:DATASHEET STOP1.png

Using the STM32Cube Monitor-Power, we measured :

File:final plot stop1.png

5.4. Stop2 mode

In Stop 2 mode, most of the VCORE domain is put in a lower leakage mode.

Change only this line in the code : HAL_PWREx_EnterSTOP2Mode(PWR_SLEEPENTRY_WFI);

5.4.1. Compile and flash

Click on Build button
Click on Run button (to execute)

5.4.2. Measure the current consumption

Referring to the datasheet, in Stop2 mode at 25°C and VDD = 3.6V, the current consumption should be 1.26μA

File:datasheet stop2.png

Using the STM32Cube Monitor-Power, we measured :

File:final slot stop2.png

6. Standby mode

6.1. Definition

The Standby mode is used to achieve the lowest power consumption with BOR. The internal regulator is switched off so that the VCORE domain is powered off. The PLL, the MSI RC, the HSI16 RC and the HSE crystal oscillators are also switched off.
The RTC can remain active (Standby mode with RTC, Standby mode without RTC).
The brown-out reset (BOR) always remains active in Standby mode.
The state of each I/O during standby mode can be selected by software: I/O with internal pull-up, internal pull-down or floating.

File:standby mode.png

6.2. HAL library workflow summary

When exiting Standby mode, all registers in the VCORE domain are set to their reset value. File:StandBy HAL.png

6.3. Configure the Standby Mode

Open the project from EXTI overview
Open main.c
Add the wakeup flag clear (without this, Standby mode is only entered once)

/* Initialize all configured peripherals */
/* USER CODE BEGIN 2 */
__HAL_PWR_CLEAR_FLAG(PWR_FLAG_WU);
/* USER CODE END 2 */

Add a function to enter Standby mode.

/* Infinite loop */
/* USER CODE BEGIN WHILE */
while (1)
{ /* USER CODE END WHILE */

    /* USER CODE BEGIN 3 */
    HAL_Delay(2000);
    HAL_SuspendTick();
    HAL_PWR_EnterSTANDBYMode();
    HAL_ResumeTick();

}
/* USER CODE END 3 */

6.4. Compile and flash

Click on Build button
Click on Run button (to execute)

6.5. Measure the current consumption

Referring to the datasheet, in Standby mode at 25°C and VDD = 3V, the current consumption should be 150nA

File:datasheet Standby.png

Using the STM32Cube Monitor-Power, we measured :

File:final standby.png

7. Shutdown mode

7.1. Definition

The Shutdown mode allows to achieve the lowest power consumption. The internal regulator is switched off so that the VCORE domain is powered off. The PLL, the HSI16, the MSI, the LSI and the HSE oscillators are also switched off.
File:shutdown mode.png

7.2. Configure the Shutdown Mode

Open the project from EXTI overview
Open main.c
Add a function to enter Shutdown mode.

/* Infinite loop */
/* USER CODE BEGIN WHILE */
while (1)
{ /* USER CODE END WHILE */

    /* USER CODE BEGIN 3 */
    HAL_Delay(2000);
    HAL_SuspendTick();
    HAL_PWREx_EnterSHUTDOWNMode();
    HAL_ResumeTick();

}
/* USER CODE END 3 */

7.3. Compile and flash

Click on Build button
Click on Run button (to execute)

7.4. Measure the current consumption

Referring to the datasheet, in Shutdown mode at 25°C and VDD = 3V, the current consumption should be 64.1nA

File:datasheet shutdown.png

Information

Il est à noter qu'il faut toujours vérifier que la valeur mesurée est bornée entre la valeur TYP et Max dans le datasheet.

Using the STM32Cube Monitor-Power, we measured :

File:final shutdown.png

8. Useful power monitoring tool

A dedicated tool exists for power consumption measurement : STM32CubeMonPwr