STM32 Development Boards with Replaceable MCU (Socket-Based)

[dkhilals]

Hello ST support,

As a customer working on a project using STM32, I am looking for STM32 development or evaluation boards that feature a socket-based MCU instead of a soldered one. This allows for easy replacement of the microcontroller during the use of some sensitive operations.

I searched the ST website and other sources but couldn’t find such boards officially offered. Are there any ST development kits or third-party solutions that support this feature? If so, could you please provide details on availability and where they can be purchased?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[STTwo-32]

Ahla @dkhilals,

There is not such a public ST solution. You may want to contact our local sales and marketing team for more information. 
Best Regards.

STTwo-32

 

[gbm]

Actually, there is at least one ST board with MCU socket:

https://www.st.com/en/evaluation-tools/stm32g0316-disco.html

:)

[STTwo-32]

Hello @gbm 

For this specific case, the main MCU is not mounted on the socket but it is mounted on the  DIL8 Breakable part: 

Also, CN3 it is used to program external MCUs :

So, the main MCU is not mounted on a socket.

Best Regards.

STTwo-32

[Pavel A.]

We've considered this for several projects but rejected because of size and cost of the socket compared with the MCU chip. Bottom line, we lean towards "SoM" approach: a small board that contains the MCU with several tightly coupled components (external RAM, oscillator, buffers etc). This board connects to a larger board with one or more edge connectors for mezzanine boards. But due to unique nature of embedded projects it is hard to find a ready SOM for STM32 like these, and producing custom SoMs is costly. Rich folks can afford it.

 

[Andrew Neil]

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@Pavel A. wrote:

rejected because of size and cost of the socket 

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Also, these sockets are notoriously unreliable.

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@Pavel A. wrote:

a small board that contains the MCU with several tightly coupled components (external RAM, oscillator, buffers etc). This board connects to a larger board with one or more edge connectors .

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@dkhilals This is essentially what a Nucleo board gives you!

[Tesla DeLorean]

You can presumably mount ZIF sockets for QFP and BGA type designs, but these can be very expensive

Seen EVAL and NUCLEO boards with sockets. Some had keep-out zones, and holes, to mount screw-down type adapter. ST might be able to give you a part# for what they used, and you can float off the current parts. The part# might be in one of the BOM

Might be cheaper/easier to use the NUCLEO's ARDUINO/MORPHO connector and mount your circuitry in a mezzanine fashion.

Other very low cost break-out boards, or SoM might suit depending on your base needs.

Aries and others have sockets, you could use cheaper dual in-line sockets, for standard form-factors where you say breakout a 64-pin IC to a 68-pin DIP

See SMT to DIP

http://www.proto-advantage.com/store/index.php?cPath=2200_2207

https://www.icbreakout.com/collections/breakout-boards-qfp-quad-flat-package

https://www.arieselec.com/product/18108-test-socket-breakout-board/

https://www.adafruit.com/product/1241

https://www.ebay.com/itm/253987571618?_skw=48-pin+socket+adapter&epid=1139142999

https://www.ebay.com/itm/172033572048

https://www.ebay.com/itm/152789573388