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Associate
June 10, 2025
Question

STM32L476 Tamper Detection – False Trigger Risk During VDD to VBAT Transition?

  • June 10, 2025
  • 3 replies
  • 384 views

Hello Experts,

I'm using the STM32L476 in one of my projects, with the main system powered at 3.3V (VDD), and a 1.55V coin cell (Murata SR621SW) connected to VBAT for RTC backup.

The tamper pin (PC13) is connected to a normally closed (NC) anti-tamper switch, which means the circuit is only open when the enclosure is physically closed. I've configured the tamper detection in level detection mode with the following settings: 

  1. Sampling frequency: 1 Hz 
  2. Precharge duration: 8 cycles 
  3. External capacitor: 1.8 nF 
  4. Trigger on: Low level

My concern is about the behavior of the RTC and tamper detection circuitry during a power-down event — for instance, due to a brownout or complete power loss. I’ve set the Brown-Out Reset (BOR) level to Level 4.

In such a scenario, when VDD drops and the RTC switches over to VBAT (1.55V), is there any risk of a false tamper detection being triggered because of the voltage transition? I want to make sure the switch from VDD to VBAT doesn't inadvertently cause a spurious tamper event.

3 replies

ST Employee
June 13, 2025

Hello @Oseven07

Is the tamper pin (PC13) externally pulled up or down when VDD is off? maybe the floating state is causing false tamper events.

Oseven07Author
Associate
June 13, 2025

Hello, @Sarra.S 

Thank you for your reply.

To clarify, I am only using the internal pull-up resistor. The precharge duration is set to 8 cycles.

Please let me know if you need any additional details.

Oseven07Author
Associate
June 16, 2025

Any Update?