The chip text orientation in STM32CubeMX/MX2 does not match reality. Why?

[TDK]

In STM32CubeMX, here is the orientation for a chip with a red dot marking pin 1 at the top left when text reads from left to right.

In real life, here is the orientation for a chip with a red dot marking pin 1. As far as I'm aware, all STM32 chips are oriented like this, with pin 1 at the bottom left when text reads from left to right.

Why is the text rotated 90 degrees differently? Is this intentional? If there is a reasonable explanation, I'm interested in hearing it. It seems to only add confusion. Wouldn't it make more sense if the default orientation (or at least the text orientation) to match between the two?

In STM32CubeMX, you can rotate the part for convenience. This is useful. However, the text also rotates, so if you put pin 1 in the bottom left like in reality, the text is now rotated.

(This is the same story in STM32CubeMX2.)

[Peter BENSCH]

What an interesting discovery! I’ve been using CubeMX since the very beginning, have run plenty of beginner training sessions, created programme templates – and hadn’t noticed it until now! Thanks for spotting and posting that, @TDK!

Regards
/Peter

[mƎALLEm]

One of the users fell into the same confusion today in this post.

[STOne-32 · Accepted solution]

Dear @TDK @mƎALLEm @Peter BENSCH ,

This Orientation was always there in all LQFP devices figures in product datasheets since STM32F103, almost 20 years ago CubeMX is just reflecting the datasheet figures ( but with the logo and marking instead of LQFPXx ) . The remark is valid But wanted to share from where it comes . 
Regards,

STOne-32

[TDK]

Hi @STOne-32 thanks for the reply.

> CubeMX is just reflecting the datasheet figures

Okay, I think I can understand. Here is the one figure showing pin names and the chip. Pin 1 is top-left. This is very close to the CubeMX presentation, except the pin 1 marking isn't shown.

But then here are 3 others from the same datasheet. Pin 1 is bottom-left in all of these.

There does seem to be a JEDEC standard saying pin 1 should be on the top-left but I don't have easy access to the spec.

[Amel NASRI]

Hi All,

Thank you @TDK for bringing this to our attention.

Although this behavior is not new and has been present for several years regarding pin 1 marking and text orientation in STM32CubeMX, we understand that it may cause confusion. We have raised this issue with the development team to evaluate the appropriate solution and help avoid any further side effects.

Internal ticket number: CDM0062229 (This is an internal tracking number and is not accessible or usable by customers.)

-Amel

[LCE]

ST wants the engineers to stay sharp and pay attention to detail! :D

[Amel NASRI]

Yes indeed :) and always refer to the datasheet.

[Andrew Neil]

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@Amel NASRI wrote:

we understand that it may (sic) cause confusion.

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I'm pretty sure that it actually has lead to confusion !