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Visitor II
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.

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    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
    Visitor II
    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
    Visitor II
    June 16, 2025

    Any Update?