Skip to main content
Associate III
June 28, 2025
Solved

Different output configurations: Push-Pull, Open-Drain, Pull-Up, Pull-Down, etc

Hi Usualy I see terms called pushpull configuration,open drain, pull up ,pull down and so on.what are the difference between them

This topic has been closed for replies.
Andrew Neil
Andrew NeilBest answer
Super User
June 28, 2025

These are general electronics terms - nothing specific to STM32 or even ST:

 

PS:

It is conventional to refer to the supply voltage as "up" and ground as "down"; hence:

  • A Pull-Up pulls "up" to the supply voltage; 
  • A Pull-Down pulls "down" to ground. 

Again, nothing specific to STM32.

 

PPS:

Source/Sourcing and Sink/Sinking are also common terms relevant here:

 

AndrewNeil_1-1751104003344.png
https://electronicsclub.info/ics.htm#:~:text=Sinking%20and%20sourcing%20current

 

  • A Push-Pull output can both source and sink;
  • An Open-Drain (or Open-Collector) output can only sink.

 

#SourceSink #SourcingSinking #PushPull #OpenDrain #OpenCollector #PullUp #PullDown

A complex system that works is invariably found to have evolved from a simple system that worked.A complex system designed from scratch never works and cannot be patched up to make it work.

2 replies

Andrew Neil
Andrew NeilBest answer
Super User
June 28, 2025

These are general electronics terms - nothing specific to STM32 or even ST:

 

PS:

It is conventional to refer to the supply voltage as "up" and ground as "down"; hence:

  • A Pull-Up pulls "up" to the supply voltage; 
  • A Pull-Down pulls "down" to ground. 

Again, nothing specific to STM32.

 

PPS:

Source/Sourcing and Sink/Sinking are also common terms relevant here:

 

AndrewNeil_1-1751104003344.png
https://electronicsclub.info/ics.htm#:~:text=Sinking%20and%20sourcing%20current

 

  • A Push-Pull output can both source and sink;
  • An Open-Drain (or Open-Collector) output can only sink.

 

#SourceSink #SourcingSinking #PushPull #OpenDrain #OpenCollector #PullUp #PullDown

A complex system that works is invariably found to have evolved from a simple system that worked.A complex system designed from scratch never works and cannot be patched up to make it work.
Andrew Neil
Super User
July 8, 2025

@Alex_reynold - did that answer your question?

If so, please mark the solution; if not, what needs clarification?

A complex system that works is invariably found to have evolved from a simple system that worked.A complex system designed from scratch never works and cannot be patched up to make it work.