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Lead
Apr 20, 2026 9:30 AM UTC
Solved

Using crystal HSE configuration with external HSE source?

Hi!

I have a STM32103 processor and I wonder if something bad can occurs if I use an external oscillator to OSC_IN and leave the OSC,_OUT floating. With a ceramic crystal HSE configuration in CubeMX.

I know that the BYPASS clock source is the best HSE configuration for an external source (as I have) because then the OCS_OUT is not oscilating. 

But for me, it won't make any difference because my OSC_OUT is floating and not connected to anything. Or will this break after few years of running?

I know that my OSC_OUT have the same oscillations as OSC_IN due to the "wrong" configuration. 

mbarg.1
mbarg.1Best answer
Senior III
Apr 20, 2026 9:35 AM UTC

You can leave any output open and nothing will happen, short term or long term.

BUT

remember that unused outputs with some signal inside can be a source of RF noise and that can limit RF compliance.

As a general law, better not to take out unused signals in new design.

11 replies

mbarg.1
mbarg.1Best answer
Senior III
Apr 20, 2026 9:35 AM UTC

You can leave any output open and nothing will happen, short term or long term.

BUT

remember that unused outputs with some signal inside can be a source of RF noise and that can limit RF compliance.

As a general law, better not to take out unused signals in new design.

DMårtAuthor
Lead
Apr 20, 2026 9:40 AM UTC

@mbarg.1 

Thank you!

Understand that this might cause bad RF. Luckily, I don't have any RF requirements, only functional requirements.

STM32MP151AAC3 custom board with STM32-OS as operating system: https://github.com/DanielMartensson/STM32-ComputerSTM32MP257FAK3 custom board with STM64-OS as operating system: https://github.com/DanielMartensson/STM64-Computer
Andrew Neil
Super User
Apr 20, 2026 9:45 AM UTC

@DMårt wrote:

I don't have any RF requirements


That's not true!

All electronic products need to comply with the relevant EMC regulations wherever they're used/sold.

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.
mƎALLEm
ST Technical Moderator
Apr 20, 2026 9:39 AM UTC

Hello,


@DMårt wrote:

I have a STM32103 processor and I wonder if something bad can occurs if I use an external oscillator to OSC_IN and leave the OSC,_OUT floating. With a ceramic crystal HSE configuration in CubeMX.


That statement is a bit ambiguous.

Are you using a crystal (XTAL) or a crystal oscillator (XO)?

If you are using a crystal oscillator (XO) that's the hardware configuration you should adopt in Bypass mode. OSC_IN connected to the oscillator output and OSC_OUT should kept floating. 

From the reference manual RM0008:

mALLEm_0-1776678147860.png

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DMårtAuthor
Lead
Apr 20, 2026 9:43 AM UTC

Hi @mƎALLEm 

I'm using a XO with a ceramic configuration. But OSC_OUT is floating.

Yes, i know that I should adopt Bypass mode. But in this case it's ceramic/resonator mode.

I hope this won't cause any functional troubles.

STM32MP151AAC3 custom board with STM32-OS as operating system: https://github.com/DanielMartensson/STM32-ComputerSTM32MP257FAK3 custom board with STM64-OS as operating system: https://github.com/DanielMartensson/STM64-Computer
mƎALLEm
ST Technical Moderator
Apr 20, 2026 9:53 AM UTC

@DMårt wrote:

Hi @mƎALLEm 

I hope this won't cause any functional troubles.


No this is what it was suggested in the RM as I stated in my previous post.

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