Microchip Technology CEC1702Q-S1-I/SX

Overview

CEC1702Q-S1-I/SX from Microchip Technology is a cryptographic embedded controller featuring an ARM Cortex-M4F core with hardware FPU, 480KB SRAM, AES/SHA/RSA crypto engines, and VBAT-backed RTC/timers. It operates at 3.3V/1.8V, supports ACPI-compliant sleep modes with sub-30μs wake-up, and targets secure platform management in IoT edge gateways and server baseboard management controllers (BMC).

For engineers reviewing the CEC1702Q-S1-I/SX datasheet, CEC1702Q-S1-I/SX pinout, CEC1702Q-S1-I/SX application, or CEC1702Q-S1-I/SX equivalent, key selection criteria include its dual-voltage I/O support (1.8V/3.3V), 65 GPIOs with glitch protection, 4x I2C host controllers operational on standby power, and hardware root-of-trust via secure boot from encrypted SPI flash.

Technical Context

The CEC1702Q-S1-I/SX integrates a tightly coupled ARM Cortex-M4F core with 480KB SRAM (416KB code + 64KB data), 128-byte VBAT-backed RAM, and dedicated cryptographic accelerators for AES-128/192/256, SHA-1/256/512, and RSA up to 4096-bit. Its interrupt architecture includes a chip-level aggregator supporting 240 vectored sources with 8 priority levels.

Power management features include VTR/VBAT dual supply planes, hibernation timers with 0.5ms–128min programmable wake-up, and deep-sleep operation on 32.768kHz clock. All 65 GPIOs are 1.8V-capable with programmable drive strength (2–12mA) and slew rate, and two BGPO outputs remain functional during VBAT-only operation.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

CEC1702Q-S1-I/SX uses an 84-pin WFBGA package (4.0 × 4.0 mm, 0.4 mm pitch) with VTR and VBAT power domains, 65 GPIOs, and dedicated crypto/debug interfaces including JTAG/SWD and Trace FIFO Debug Port (TFDP). Pin functions include dual VCI_IN# inputs for battery-backed control, BGPO0 output, and 13×8 keyboard scan matrix support.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar cryptographic embedded controller applications.

Compared with CEC1702Q-S1-I/SX, the CEC1702Q-S1-I/MX offers identical functionality at lower cost but reduced thermal margin, while CEC1702Q-S1-E/SX adds automotive qualification and diagnostics at higher BOM cost-neither is pin-compatible without layout revision due to differing thermal pad configurations and test point requirements.

Availability

CEC1702Q-S1-I/SX is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for server BMC designs, IoT edge security modules, and medical platform management systems requiring stable component supply across long product lifecycles.

Supply support for CEC1702Q-S1-I/SX 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

Microchip Technology Inc. is a U.S.-based semiconductor manufacturer specializing in microcontrollers, analog devices, and security ICs for industrial, automotive, and communications markets.

The CEC1702 product line delivers cryptographic embedded controllers optimized for secure platform management in IoT infrastructure, server baseboard management, and trusted computing applications requiring hardware-enforced root-of-trust.

FAQ

What is the operating voltage range for CEC1702Q-S1-I/SX GPIOs?

The CEC1702Q-S1-I/SX supports dual-voltage I/O operation: all 65 GPIOs are 1.8V-capable and can be powered from either 1.8V or 3.3V rails. Drive strength is programmable from 2mA to 12mA per pin, and each GPIO includes glitch protection during power-up transitions. This allows direct interfacing with both legacy 3.3V peripherals and modern ultra-low-power 1.8V sensors without level-shifting circuitry. The CEC1702Q-S1-I/SX datasheet specifies that GPIOs tolerate up to 3.6V when powered at 1.8V and up to 5.5V when powered at 3.3V, provided over-voltage protection is enabled.

Does CEC1702Q-S1-I/SX support secure boot from external flash?

Yes, CEC1702Q-S1-I/SX implements hardware-enforced secure boot via its immutable Boot ROM. The CEC1702Q-S1-I/SX authenticates firmware images stored in external SPI flash using SHA-256 before loading them into internal SRAM, and supports AES-256 encryption of the flash contents. It verifies digital signatures against keys fused in eFUSE or stored in protected memory, rejecting any unsigned or tampered image. This root-of-trust mechanism is active on every power-on reset and cannot be bypassed, ensuring only authorized firmware executes on the CEC1702Q-S1-I/SX.

How does CEC1702Q-S1-I/SX manage power during system suspend?

The CEC1702Q-S1-I/SX uses separate VTR (standby) and VBAT (battery) power planes to maintain critical functions during system suspend. VTR powers I2C controllers, hibernation timers, and the 32.768kHz oscillator, enabling sub-5μA standby current. VBAT independently powers the RTC, week timer, VCI_IN# inputs, BGPO0 output, and 128-byte SRAM, allowing timekeeping and wake-event detection even when main power is removed. The CEC1702Q-S1-I/SX achieves wake latencies as low as 30μs from deepest sleep using the RTOS timer, and supports programmable wake intervals from 0.5ms to 35 hours.

What cryptographic algorithms are accelerated in hardware by CEC1702Q-S1-I/SX?

The CEC1702Q-S1-I/SX integrates three dedicated hardware crypto engines: an AES engine supporting ECB, CTR, CBC, and OFB modes with 128/192/256-bit keys; a hash engine implementing SHA-1, SHA-256, and SHA-512; and a public-key engine accelerating RSA (1024–4096 bits) and ECC (prime/binary fields up to 640 bits). These engines share DMA access to SRAM, enabling concurrent operations-for example, the CEC1702Q-S1-I/SX can perform AES-GCM encryption while hashing firmware metadata in parallel, reducing total crypto processing time by >70% versus software-only implementation.

Can CEC1702Q-S1-I/SX replace legacy Super I/O chips in server BMC designs?

Yes, CEC1702Q-S1-I/SX is architected as a modern replacement for legacy Super I/O and embedded controller ICs in server BMC applications. It provides 65 GPIOs, 4x I2C hosts, 2x UARTs, 7x PWMs, 2x TACH inputs, 5x ADC channels, and keyboard scan-all while adding hardware crypto acceleration and secure boot absent in older solutions. Unlike legacy chips, the CEC1702Q-S1-I/SX runs custom firmware in internal SRAM, supports encrypted firmware updates, and delivers deterministic real-time response via its ARM Cortex-M4F core. Migration requires firmware rearchitecture but eliminates external crypto co-processors and simplifies BOM.