If you’re a maker, student, or embedded systems pro looking for serious performance in a pint-sized package, the Xero MCU deserves a top spot on your radar. Just launched on Kickstarter, this powerful new development board is based on the robust STM32F411CEU6 microcontroller and brings a perfect blend of horsepower, versatility, and compact design to the open-source hardware scene.
Xero MCU Highlights:
- Microcontroller:
STM32F411CEU6 (100MHz ARM Cortex-M4 with FPU)
- Memory:
512KB Flash, 128KB SRAM
- Form
Factor: Ultra-compact (half the size of standard boards)
- Programming
Interfaces: USB Type-C, ST-Link Debug support
- Languages
& IDEs: C/C++, Arduino, MicroPython, CircuitPython
- Connectivity:
Easy access GPIO, onboard debug pins
- Design:
Castellated edges for seamless PCB integration
- Header
Options: Available with or without soldered headers
The Xero MCU is built around the STM32F411, a
high-performance microcontroller from STMicroelectronics. With a 100MHz
Cortex-M4 core and Floating Point Unit (FPU), it’s engineered for
demanding real-time applications—from robotics and control systems to wearables
and smart IoT devices.
Xero MCU Specifications
MCU – STMicroelectronics STM32F411 ARM Cortex-M4
processor @ 100 MHz with FPU
System Memory – 128 KB SRAM
Storage – 512 KB Flash memory
Connectivity
- USB
Type-C for power and programming
- GPIO
breakout for essential I/O access
Debugging
- Onboard
debug pins
- ST-Link
debugger support
- Compatible
with STM32CubeIDE, PlatformIO, and other C/C++ IDEs
Programming Languages
- C/C++
- MicroPython
- CircuitPython
- Arduino
IDE support
Form Factor
- Ultra-compact
design (approx. half the size of standard dev boards)
- Castellated
edges for direct PCB integration
Headers
- Available
with or without pre-soldered headers
Dimensions
- Board
– ~38 x 20 mm (approx.)
Target Applications
- Embedded
systems
- IoT
devices
- Wearables
- Robotics
- Education
and prototyping
And with 512KB of Flash and 128KB of SRAM,
there's plenty of room for complex logic, sensor data processing, or rich user
interfaces. In other words: big power, tiny board.
One of the most exciting aspects of Xero MCU is its design
flexibility:
- Breadboarding?
Grab the version with pre-soldered headers.
- Going
production? Opt for the headerless version and take advantage
of the castellated edges to directly solder it onto your custom
PCBs like an SMD module.
This makes it equally suitable for rapid prototyping
and mass production.
Xero MCU includes onboard debug pins and full
compatibility with the ST-Link Debugger, supporting seamless flashing
and debugging in environments like STM32CubeIDE, PlatformIO, and
more. Whether you’re a beginner or an embedded veteran, the toolchain support
is rock solid.
And for the code-first crowd, Xero MCU supports:
- MicroPython
& CircuitPython for rapid development
- C/C++
for full control and performance
- Arduino
IDE for accessibility and ease of use
With Xero MCU, you get a development board that doesn’t
compromise. It's compact, versatile, and powerful—backed by the ever-reliable
STM32 ecosystem. Whether you’re prototyping in your garage or scaling for
production, Xero MCU is built to keep up.
If you're looking for your next open-source hardware project, this board is a killer addition to your toolkit. 👉 Check out the Xero MCU on Kickstarter and support the launch!
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