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Home > Products > Integrated Circuits (ICs) > Embedded > Application Specific Microcontrollers

Microchip Technology MEC1416-NU

Name: MEC1416-NU
Brand: Microchip Technology
SKU: MEC1416-NU
Price: 2.40 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

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Part No.:: MEC1416-NU

Manufacturer:: Microchip Technology

Category:: Application Specific Microcontrollers

Package:: 128-TQFP

Datasheet:: MEC1416-NU.pdf

Description:: MEC, MIPS CORE, 160K SRAM, LPC &

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Product details

Overview

MEC1416-NU from Microchip Technology is a 32-bit embedded controller IC designed for notebook and tablet platform system management, featuring an MIPS32 M14K™ core, 160 kB combined SRAM (code + data), eSPI/LPC/I²C host interface support, and integrated keyboard matrix scan (18×8). It delivers ACPI 3.0 compliance, Connected Standby support, and operates at 48 MHz core frequency with 3.3V main supply and dual VTR/VBAT standby power planes.

For engineers reviewing the MEC1416-NU datasheet, MEC1416-NU pinout, MEC1416-NU application, or MEC1416-NU equivalent, key selection criteria include eSPI interface capability, 160 kB on-chip SRAM allocation, 106 GPIOs with programmable power-well emulation, dual PS/2 controllers with edge-wake, and battery-backed 64-byte SRAM for RTC/week timer persistence across S5 states.

Technical Context

The MEC1416-NU integrates a microMIPS-compatible MIPS32 M14K™ core with hardware debug support (ICSP, TFDP, 6 breakpoints), a vectored interrupt controller, and a secure boot ROM loader supporting AES-128 and CRC-32 verification of up to four firmware images. Its memory subsystem includes 32 kB data-optimized SRAM, code-optimized SRAM configurable from 96–160 kB, and 64 bytes of VBAT-powered SRAM.

It implements three concurrent host interfaces-LPC v1.1, Intel eSPI (Peripheral/VW/OOB/Flash channels), and SMBus/I²C-with full DMA support across SMBus, SPI, and UART peripherals. Power management features include hibernation timer (0.5 ms–128 min wake), 32-bit RTOS timer running off 32 kHz clock in all sleep states, and VCI inputs/outputs for battery-backed control signaling.

Key Specifications

Parameter	Value and Actual Design Meaning
Core Architecture	MIPS32 M14K™ with microMIPS instruction set and hardware multiply/divide unit
Max Core Frequency	48 MHz - enables real-time EC firmware execution for thermal/fan/PME event handling
SRAM Capacity	160 kB total (code + data) - supports complex firmware stacks including UEFI EC drivers and sensor fusion logic
Host Interfaces	LPC v1.1, Intel eSPI, and SMBus/I²C - allows flexible integration into legacy and modern PCH-based platforms
GPIO Count	106 pins - configurable as inputs with async edge wake, push-pull/open-drain outputs, and programmable pull-up/down control
Power Planes	VCC (main), VTR (standby), VBAT (battery) - enables S0ix/S3/S5 state transitions with sub-μA sleep current
ADC/DAC	8-channel 10-bit ADC (10 μs conversion, ±0.5 LSB INL/DNL); 2-channel 8-bit DAC - supports thermistor-based thermal monitoring and voltage-controlled fan biasing
eSPI Compliance	Fully compliant with Intel eSPI specification - supports peripheral, virtual wire, out-of-band, and flash channel interfaces with EC bus master access to host memory

Pinout & Package

MEC1416-NU is housed in a 128-pin VTQFP RoHS-compliant package (14 × 14 mm, 0.4 mm pitch), with pin functions defined per DS00001956E pages 12–63. Key signal groups include LPC/eSPI bus pins (LAD[0:3], ESPI_IO[0:3], CLKRUN#, ALERT#), 106 GPIOs multiplexed with peripheral functions (PS/2, PWM, TACH, UART), and dedicated VTR/VBAT power domains.

Pin/Terminal	Circuit Role	Design Meaning
VTR_33_18	Standby power supply input	Selectable 3.3V or 1.8V rail for eSPI/I²C GPIOs; determines I/O voltage level for 10 configurable pins
VBAT	Battery backup supply	Powers 64-byte SRAM, week timer, BGPO, and VCI interface during system shutdown (S5)
RSMRST#	Resume reset output	GPIO-configurable active-low signal deasserted by firmware to release host PCH from resume reset
ESPI_CS#	eSPI chip select	Active-low enable for eSPI flash/peripheral channel communication; multiplexed with GPIO044
KSI[0:7]/KSO[0:17]	Keyboard scan interface	18×8 matrix scan inputs/outputs; supports PreDrive mode and internal pull-ups to eliminate external components
GPIO[0:105]	General-purpose I/O	106 pins with programmable drive strength, polarity inversion, and power-well emulation for multi-rail board routing

Key Features

Feature	Design Value
Secure Boot ROM Loader	Verifies AES-128 encrypted firmware images from shared SPI flash; enables crisis recovery via keyboard matrix scan pins
RTOS Timer	32-bit counter driven by 32 kHz clock; continues counting in all sleep states (including deep sleep) and generates wake-capable interrupts
eSPI Flash Channel	Enables EC-initiated read/write access to host system flash memory without CPU intervention - critical for firmware update coordination
Programmable Comparators	Two 8-bit comparators with selectable reference (pin or internal); used for thermistor voltage threshold detection and battery charge-state monitoring
BC-Link Interface	Peer-to-peer interconnect supporting up to two companion chips (e.g., PMIC, sensor hubs); offloads I/O tasks from main EC core
Port 80 BIOS Debug Port	Dual 24-bit timestamped debug ports assignable to any LPC I/O address; 16-entry FIFO aids early-boot firmware validation

Applications

Ultra-Thin Notebook System Management	2-in-1 Tablet Platform Control
Use Scenario: Real-time thermal regulation, battery charge state tracking, and lid-open/wake-from-sleep responsiveness in sub-15mm clamshell designs. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary embedded controller managing ACPI power states (S0ix/S3/S5), interfacing with PCH via eSPI, and executing sensor fusion algorithms using on-chip ADC/DAC and PWM. Use Value: 106 GPIOs with programmable power-well emulation allow direct connection to 1.8V/3.3V sensors and actuators; 32-bit RTOS timer ensures precise 1-second wake events independent of CPU sleep state.	Use Scenario: Seamless transition between tablet and laptop modes, including hinge-angle detection, stylus presence sensing, and dynamic display brightness control. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Central I/O hub coordinating PS/2 keyboard/mouse, eSPI peripheral channel for touch controller, and SMBus-connected ambient light/proximity sensors. Use Value: Dual PS/2 controllers with edge-wake capability enable instant keyboard/mouse response post-resume; 8-channel ADC supports simultaneous thermistor and battery voltage sampling at 10 μs resolution.
Convertible Laptop Fan & Thermal Control	Enterprise Docking Station EC
Use Scenario: Closed-loop fan speed control based on multi-zone thermal readings, coupled with adaptive hysteresis to minimize acoustic noise during light workloads. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Dedicated thermal management engine using 8 PWM outputs, 2 tachometer inputs, and 8 ADC channels - all operating autonomously during S0ix. Use Value: Hardware CRC-32 generator on DMA Channel 0 validates sensor data integrity; hibernation timer provides programmable wake intervals from 0.5 ms to 128 minutes for periodic thermal polling.	Use Scenario: Unified power sequencing, USB-C PD negotiation handoff, and peripheral enumeration for multi-port docking stations with Thunderbolt/USB4 connectivity. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Secondary EC acting as BC-Link master to companion PMIC and USB controller, while maintaining LPC/eSPI host interface to host CPU. Use Value: Up to three SMBus 2.0 controllers operate fully on standby power - enabling hot-plug detection and PD status updates without waking host CPU; VBAT-powered SRAM retains dock configuration across AC loss.

Ultra-Thin Notebook System Management

2-in-1 Tablet Platform Control

Use Scenario: Real-time thermal regulation, battery charge state tracking, and lid-open/wake-from-sleep responsiveness in sub-15mm clamshell designs.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary embedded controller managing ACPI power states (S0ix/S3/S5), interfacing with PCH via eSPI, and executing sensor fusion algorithms using on-chip ADC/DAC and PWM.

Use Value: 106 GPIOs with programmable power-well emulation allow direct connection to 1.8V/3.3V sensors and actuators; 32-bit RTOS timer ensures precise 1-second wake events independent of CPU sleep state.

Use Scenario: Seamless transition between tablet and laptop modes, including hinge-angle detection, stylus presence sensing, and dynamic display brightness control.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Central I/O hub coordinating PS/2 keyboard/mouse, eSPI peripheral channel for touch controller, and SMBus-connected ambient light/proximity sensors.

Use Value: Dual PS/2 controllers with edge-wake capability enable instant keyboard/mouse response post-resume; 8-channel ADC supports simultaneous thermistor and battery voltage sampling at 10 μs resolution.

Convertible Laptop Fan & Thermal Control

Enterprise Docking Station EC

Use Scenario: Closed-loop fan speed control based on multi-zone thermal readings, coupled with adaptive hysteresis to minimize acoustic noise during light workloads.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Dedicated thermal management engine using 8 PWM outputs, 2 tachometer inputs, and 8 ADC channels - all operating autonomously during S0ix.

Use Value: Hardware CRC-32 generator on DMA Channel 0 validates sensor data integrity; hibernation timer provides programmable wake intervals from 0.5 ms to 128 minutes for periodic thermal polling.

Use Scenario: Unified power sequencing, USB-C PD negotiation handoff, and peripheral enumeration for multi-port docking stations with Thunderbolt/USB4 connectivity.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Secondary EC acting as BC-Link master to companion PMIC and USB controller, while maintaining LPC/eSPI host interface to host CPU.

Use Value: Up to three SMBus 2.0 controllers operate fully on standby power - enabling hot-plug detection and PD status updates without waking host CPU; VBAT-powered SRAM retains dock configuration across AC loss.

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Alternative Part	Technical Difference	Application Difference	Selection Advice
MEC1414-NU	Same 128-VTQFP package and eSPI/LPC/I²C support, but 128 kB SRAM (vs. 160 kB)	Suitable for simpler firmware stacks where <128 kB code+data footprint suffices; lacks headroom for advanced sensor fusion or dual-firmware A/B update schemes	Select when cost sensitivity outweighs SRAM scalability needs and no future firmware expansion is planned.
MEC1418-NU	Same package and interface set, with 192 kB SRAM and identical peripheral count	Required for feature-rich implementations including PECI 3.0 telemetry aggregation, multi-sensor calibration tables, or cryptographic key storage beyond AES-128	Choose when firmware complexity exceeds 160 kB or long-term field upgradeability mandates larger code space margin.

Compared with MEC1414-NU, MEC1416-NU provides 32 kB additional SRAM for firmware growth without changing PCB layout; versus MEC1418-NU, it offers optimal balance of capacity and cost for mid-tier notebooks requiring eSPI and robust thermal management.

Availability

MEC1416-NU is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for ultra-thin notebook system management, 2-in-1 tablet platform control, and enterprise docking station EC applications requiring stable component supply, long lifecycle support, and RoHS-compliant packaging.

Supply support for MEC1416-NU 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 global semiconductor company specializing in microcontrollers, analog devices, and security solutions for embedded systems, with design centers across North America, Europe, and Asia.

The MEC140x/1x product line was engineered specifically for PC-class platform management - integrating ACPI-compliant power control, keyboard scanning, sensor interfacing, and secure firmware execution in a single mixed-signal SoC.

FAQ

What host interface protocols does the MEC1416-NU support?

The MEC1416-NU supports three host interface protocols: Intel eSPI (compliant with specification), LPC v1.1, and SMBus/I²C. These are mutually exclusive configurations determined by firmware initialization - eSPI requires GPIO pin remapping to ESPI_CLK/IO/CS# signals, while LPC uses LAD[0:3] and LFRAME_N. The MEC1416-NU datasheet confirms all three are enabled in this variant per the Products table on page 3.

Does the MEC1416-NU include battery-backed memory, and what is its purpose?

Yes, the MEC1416-NU includes 64 bytes of VBAT-powered SRAM that retains data during system S5 (mechanical off) states. This memory stores RTC/week timer registers, alarm settings, and critical firmware context - ensuring accurate timekeeping and wake-event persistence even when main power is disconnected. It is explicitly documented in DS00001956E section 36.0 and referenced in the block diagram on page 11.

How many PWM outputs does the MEC1416-NU provide, and what are their capabilities?

The MEC1416-NU provides up to eight programmable PWM outputs, each supporting independent 16-bit ON/OFF counters and multiple clock rates. These outputs serve fan speed control, LED breathing effects, and general-purpose duty-cycle modulation. The PWM module operates during EC sleep states and integrates with the ADC for closed-loop thermal control - confirmed in sections 27.0 and 28.0 of DS00001956E.

Is the MEC1416-NU compatible with Intel's Connected Standby specification?

Yes, the MEC1416-NU is explicitly designed for Connected Standby (S0ix) operation. It supports low-standby current in sleep mode, VTR/VBAT power plane separation, and wake-capable peripherals including GPIO edge detection, RTOS timer, and hibernation timer - all listed under "Common Features" on page 1 of DS00001956E. Its eSPI interface further enables seamless host-EC coordination during ultra-low-power states.

What debugging interfaces are available on the MEC1416-NU?

The MEC1416-NU provides four hardware debugging interfaces: 2-wire ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming), Trace FIFO Debug Port (TFDP), Port 80 BIOS Debug Port (dual configurable ports with 24-bit timestamps), and a full NS16C550A-compatible UART accessible from both host and EC. These are detailed in sections 32.0, 33.0, and 17.0 of DS00001956E and support firmware development across boot, runtime, and deep-sleep phases.

MEC1416-NU Specifications

Product attributes: Attribute value

Manufacturer:: Microchip Technology

Series:: -

Package/Case:: 128-TQFP

Packaging:: Tray

Product Status:: Active

Programmable:: Not Verified

Applications:: Keyboard and Embedded Controller

Core Processor:: MIPS32® M14K™

Program Memory Type:: External Program Memory

Controller Series:: -

RAM Size:: 160K x 8

Interface:: I2C, LPC, SMBus, SPI, UART

Number of I/O:: 106

Voltage - Supply:: 1.71V ~ 3.465V

Operating Temperature:: 0°C ~ 70°C

Grade:: -

Qualification:: -

Mounting Type:: Surface Mount

Supplier Device Package:: 128-VTQFP (14x14)

MEC1416-NU FAQ

1.How can I place an order for MEC1416-NU through Aetrix?

Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for MEC1416-NU on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.

2.Are the price and stock information for MEC1416-NU reliable?

The price and inventory of MEC1416-NU are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for MEC1416-NU is usually 5 days.

3.What payment methods are accepted for MEC1416-NU?

We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for MEC1416-NU transactions.

Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.

4.How is shipping managed for MEC1416-NU?

MEC1416-NU orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.

Once your MEC1416-NU order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.

Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.

5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for MEC1416-NU?

For technical support, including MEC1416-NU datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your MEC1416-NU requirements.

6.How does Aetrix verify that MEC1416-NU is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?

All MEC1416-NU products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that MEC1416-NU meets industry standards.

7.What is the process for return or replacement of MEC1416-NU?

All MEC1416-NU units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with MEC1416-NU, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:

1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.

2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.

3.The MEC1416-NU part is unused and in its original packaging.

Return procedure for MEC1416-NU:

1.Submit a request within 90 days.

2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.

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