What is the cause of STM32 shortage? When will STM32 processors be available as normal? The pricing and delivery times are ridiclous now.

[rickard2]

..

[Tesla DeLorean]

A combination of supply-and-demand, and built-to-order, along with some supply chain issues for raw materials, workforce and capacity, compounded with a global pandemic. I'd imagine there's plenty of coverage/analysis of this in the Business Press, ie WSJ, Forbes, Barrons, etc. A lot of the industry leaders are talking another 18-24 months of this.

At capacity one might expect 12-week lead times, given the current lead times a lot of people already have tickets against future production.

People with parts to sell today are brokers or arbitrage players, and they get to determine their price.

[rickard2]

Thanks for reply. However it does not explain why ST is much worst affected than other processor suppliers.

The processor I need are estimated in february 2022 which is abnormal long lead time, way longer than 12 weeks

[Tesla DeLorean]

>>ST is much worst affected than other processor suppliers..

Well the STM32 range is very popular, and ST has an overly broad set of offerings within that range, and guarantees that they'll build/supply all of them for periods of 10 years or more. When capacity is constraining, you really need to be more flexible and nibble, with a smaller subset of parts.

>>..way longer than 12 weeks

Yes, because people who noticed this constriction got all their orders in already, and perhaps doubled down to a) ensure they got parts, and can b) resell any excess at a significant profit.

12 weeks is an at-capacity number, we are significantly beyond that, and there's definitely no slack capacity to build speculative stock for retail.

[TDK]

> However it does not explain why ST is much worst affected than other processor suppliers.

More popular chips are affected the most. The STM32 series is incredibly popular.

https://www.reuters.com/technology/stmicros-average-chip-prices-up-5-so-far-this-year-ceo-says-2021-07-29/?utm_source=reddit.com

[rickard2]

Uhuh 2023 is long time.....

Well this issue clearly shows that ST 10 year guarantee isn't worth much...

[Rchri.1]

>> Well this issue clearly shows that ST 10 year guarantee isn't worth much...

Nope, just understand it for what it is:

ST guarantees you that you get the parts in 10 Years. If you order now :)

[Tesla DeLorean]

I understand the humour, but don't expect it to be anywhere near that long.

If there's profit to be made fab's are going to be spun up, capacity shifted or built new to fill demands, provided there isn't some global economic collapse or WW3

I've long complained of the stupidity of hog-tying one's self with these types of commitments, which honestly don't even look contractual.

Most of the products these parts go into have 18-24 month life cycles, and then the newer item is ready to sell the consumers.

Some industries still need a 10+ year horizon, buy THEY need to own that cost, and keep the inventory themselves, or have some contractual agreement about specific parts that can be die-banked or whatever. The "retail" distributors are not in the Indiana Jones Warehouse business any more, and few are still using parts from the 1970's

[Rchri.1]

It may have been humour.

But.

Sometimes reality just follows fiction.

Farnell has some common STM32 with crazy delivery dates.

"Order Today, get them in 5 Years.":fearful_face:

Soon we'll 10 years mark ?

[waclawek.jan]

Oh, and this is the 32-bits for 32-cents one.

JW

[Rchri.1]

it was 32 cent.

[waclawek.jan]

IMO it never was, maybe except an initial campaign.

JW

[EDIT] A friend just confirmed that he indeed purchased a relatively small quantity of the 'F030F4 at 32(euro)cents apiece soon after they were introduced.

[TDK]

I doubt 1/1/27 is accurate. More likely they just don't know when and don't care to guess.

Digikey lead time for that is posted as 52 weeks.

Mouser reports 53 weeks and is waiting on their order of 180,994 to come in.

[Rchri.1]

Possible.

But "Awaiting Delivery By <Date>" sounds like a confirmed delivery date.

And it more and more sounds like we need to design in alternatives to STM32's who do not have shortages.

[Dde C.1]

Is ST currently manufacturing any processors? If yes what is the first available ones that could be a drop in for STM32F303RBT6/7?

[S.Ma]

Check availability in octoparts, and if there are any annoucement, it will come with initial stock to grab.