Texas Instruments AM1806EZCE3

Overview

AM1806EZCE3 from Texas Instruments is a 375-MHz ARM926EJ-S™ RISC microprocessor with integrated DDR2/mDDR memory controller, USB 2.0 OTG with PHY, three UARTs, two McASP audio ports, LCD controller, and programmable real-time unit (PRU) subsystem. It operates at 1.2 V core voltage and supports 1.8-V/3.3-V LVCMOS I/Os, targeting embedded industrial control and human-machine interface applications.

For engineers reviewing the AM1806EZCE3 datasheet, AM1806EZCE3 pinout, AM1806EZCE3 application, or AM1806EZCE3 equivalent, this page delivers verified technical context, validated package mapping, confirmed peripheral integration (eHRPWM, eCAP, uPP, VPIF), and real-world selection guidance for industrial automation, medical devices, and set-top box designs.

Technical Context

The AM1806EZCE3 implements a 32-bit ARM926EJ-S CPU with MMU, 16-KB instruction and 16-KB data caches (VIVT, four-way associative), and 8-KB vector RAM. Its memory subsystem includes a 16-bit DDR2/mDDR controller supporting up to 256-MB address space and an EMIFA for NOR/NAND/SDRAM interfacing.

Peripherals are managed via EDMA3 (64 independent + 16 QDMA channels), dual McASP with TDM/I²S/DIT support, two McBSPs, three UARTs with 16-byte FIFOs, two SPIs, two I²C buses, uPP (8–16-bit parallel, SDR/DDR), VPIF (BT.656 video capture/display), and PRUSS with two 32-bit RISC cores (4-KB IRAM, 512-B RAM each).

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

AM1806EZCE3 uses a 361-ball NFBGA (ZCE suffix), 13.0 mm × 13.0 mm body size, 0.65-mm ball pitch, Pb-free construction. Pin functions are multiplexed across nine GPIO banks (16 pins each), with dedicated assignments for DDR2, EMIFA, USB, McASP, uPP, VPIF, and PRU subsystem signals.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar ARM9-based applications.

Compared with AM1808ZCE3, AM1806EZCE3 offers lower power and simpler thermal management at 375 MHz; compared with AM3352BZCZ100, it provides proven stability and legacy toolchain compatibility for cost-sensitive industrial deployments where Cortex-A8 features are unnecessary.

Availability

AM1806EZCE3 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial automation, medical data concentrators, and set-top box designs requiring stable component supply, long-lifecycle availability, and qualified industrial-temperature-grade silicon.

Supply support for AM1806EZCE3 includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, delivering analog, embedded processing, and wireless technologies for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.

The AM1806EZCE3 belongs to TI's Sitara™ ARM processor family, designed specifically for cost-optimized, real-time embedded applications requiring rich peripheral integration, Linux support, and deterministic I/O control without external co-processors.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the AM1806EZCE3?

The AM1806EZCE3 operates at a maximum frequency of 375 MHz when supplied with 1.2 V to its core voltage rail. This rating is specified under recommended operating conditions and validated across commercial temperature range (0°C to 90°C). The AM1806EZCE3 does not support the 456-MHz mode - that variant is designated AM1806ZWT or AM1808ZCE3. Performance scaling beyond 375 MHz requires voltage and thermal validation not covered by the AM1806EZCE3 datasheet.

Does the AM1806EZCE3 include an integrated USB PHY?

Yes, the AM1806EZCE3 integrates a full-speed and high-speed USB 2.0 OTG physical layer (PHY) within the die. This eliminates the need for an external USB transceiver when implementing USB device or host functionality. The USB0 port supports endpoint 0 (control) and endpoints 1–4 (bulk/interrupt/isochronous), with configurable transfer burst sizes and automatic speed negotiation - all managed by the on-chip USB controller logic in the AM1806EZCE3.

What memory types does the AM1806EZCE3 support natively?

The AM1806EZCE3 supports DDR2 SDRAM, mobile DDR (mDDR), and asynchronous memories including NOR flash, NAND flash, and 16-bit SDRAM via its dual external memory interfaces. The DDR2/mDDR controller handles 16-bit bus widths up to 156 MHz (DDR2) or 150 MHz (mDDR), while EMIFA supports 8/16-bit wide data paths for slower peripherals. No external memory controller IC is required - all timing, refresh, and command generation is handled internally by the AM1806EZCE3.

Can the PRU subsystem in the AM1806EZCE3 be used independently of the ARM9 core?

Yes, the PRUSS in the AM1806EZCE3 consists of two autonomous 32-bit RISC processors (PRU0 and PRU1) with dedicated instruction and data RAM. Each PRU can execute code independently, respond to real-time events via dedicated interrupts, and access peripherals like GPIO, eHRPWM, and eCAP without ARM9 involvement. Software disables PRUSS via PSC registers - enabling true hardware-level real-time control alongside Linux or bare-metal ARM9 execution in the AM1806EZCE3.

What is the package type and ball pitch of the AM1806EZCE3?

The AM1806EZCE3 uses a 361-ball NFBGA package with ZCE suffix, measuring 13.0 mm × 13.0 mm with 0.65-mm ball pitch. This is distinct from the ZWT variant (16.0 mm × 16.0 mm, 0.80-mm pitch). The ZCE package is RoHS-compliant and Pb-free, and its pinout is documented in Section 3.5 ("Pin Assignments") of the SPRS658F datasheet for the AM1806EZCE3.