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Microchip Technology MEC1418-I/NU
- Part No.:
- MEC1418-I/NU
- Manufacturer:
- Microchip Technology
- Category:
- Application Specific Microcontrollers
- Package:
- 128-TQFP
- Datasheet:
-
MEC1418-I/NU.pdf
- Description:
- MEC, MIPS CORE, 192K SRAM, LPC &
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:4,055
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Product details
Overview
MEC1418-I/NU from Microchip Technology is a 32-bit embedded controller IC designed for notebook and tablet platform system management, featuring an MIPS32 M14K core, 192 kB code-optimized SRAM, eSPI/LPC/I²C host interface support, 32 kHz RTC/week timer, and integrated keyboard matrix scan (18×8). It delivers ACPI 3.0 compliance, Connected Standby operation, and secure boot with AES-128 and CRC-32.
For engineers reviewing the MEC1418-I/NU datasheet, MEC1418-I/NU pinout, MEC1418-I/NU application, or MEC1418-I/NU equivalent, this device serves as a programmable EC base component in split-architecture I/O systems-supporting BC-Link companion chips, PECI 3.0 thermal monitoring, and dual PS/2 controllers with edge-wake capability.
Technical Context
The MEC1418-I/NU implements a configurable mixed-signal architecture with three host interface options (eSPI, LPC, I²C), all selectable via firmware configuration at boot. Its power management subsystem includes VTR/VBAT dual standby planes, hibernation timer with 0.5 ms–128 min wake range, and battery-powered 64 B SRAM with VCI control inputs/outputs.
Peripheral integration includes three SMBus 2.0 controllers (fully operational on standby power), eight PWM outputs with breathing LED control, two 10-bit ADCs (8-channel, 10 µs conversion), two 8-bit DACs, and dual tachometer inputs-all accessible via dedicated hardware blocks managed by the M14K core without CPU intervention.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Core | MIPS32 M14K microcontroller with microMIPS support and 48/12/3/1 MHz programmable clock |
| SRAM | 192 kB code-optimized + 32 kB data-optimized SRAM; 64 B battery-backed SRAM |
| Host Interface | eSPI, LPC 1.1, and I²C - firmware-selectable; eSPI supports peripheral/virtual wire/out-of-band/flash channels |
| Real-Time Timer | 32-bit RTOS timer running continuously off 32 kHz source in all sleep states except JTAG halt |
| Power Planes | Dual standby supplies: VTR (3.3V or 1.8V configurable) and VBAT; runtime VCC sensing for instant-on |
| ADC/DAC | 8-channel 10-bit ADC (±0.5 LSB INL/DNL, 10 µs conversion); 2-channel 8-bit DAC with external reference |
| PWM/TACH | 8 programmable PWM outputs (16-bit ON/OFF counters); 2 tachometer inputs (16-bit resolution) |
Pinout & Package
MEC1418-I/NU is housed in a 128-pin VTQFP RoHS-compliant package (14 × 14 mm, 0.4 mm pitch), with pin functions mapped to LPC/eSPI/I²C alternate modes, GPIO groups, analog inputs, and power domains (VTR, VBAT, VCC).
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| LAD[3:0], LFRAME#, LRESET#, SERIRQ | LPC Host Interface Signals | Supports LPC 1.1 memory/I/O cycles; CLKRUN# and LPCPD# optional for power-aware bus control |
| ESPI_IO[3:0], ESPI_CS#, ESPI_CLK | eSPI Physical Layer | Enables Intel eSPI specification compliance including flash channel access and out-of-band messaging |
| KSO[7:0], KSI[17:0] | Keyboard Matrix Scan I/O | Configurable 18×8 scan controller; internal pull-ups usable with PreDrive mode enabled |
| VCI_IN[1:0]#, VCI_OUT, VCI_OVRD_IN | VBAT-Powered Control Interface | Enables wake/control signaling during deep suspend; latching/filtering configurable per pin |
| SYSPWR_PRES, BGPO | System Power Presence / Battery-GPIO | Direct hardware input for AC presence detection; open-drain output powered by VBAT for low-power alerts |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Secure Boot ROM Loader | Supports 4 firmware images in shared SPI flash; crisis recovery over keyboard scan pins with AES-128 + CRC-32 |
| Trace FIFO Debug Port (TFDP) | Hardware-accelerated trace capture independent of CPU state; enables debug in heavy/deep sleep modes |
| BC-Link Interconnection Bus | Peer-to-peer protocol supporting up to two companion chips for extended I/O expansion without host involvement |
| Week Timer with Sub-Second Alarm | Generates wake events from 0.5 s to 8.5 years; sub-week alarm (0.5 s–72.67 hrs) active only when system power present |
| PECI 3.0 Interface | Direct thermal telemetry from CPU/PCH; eliminates need for external sensor polling in modern notebook platforms |
Applications
| Ultra-Thin Notebook System Management | 2-in-1 Tablet Instant-On Platform |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Managing power sequencing, thermal throttling, keyboard/mouse interface, and lid-open detection in fanless ultrabooks with <15W TDP. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary embedded controller coordinating ACPI S0ix/S3/S5 transitions, driving breathing LEDs, and sourcing PECI 3.0 thermal data to PCH. Use Value: Enables Connected Standby compliance with <5 µA VBAT current in deep sleep; 32 kHz RTOS timer maintains real-time context across all sleep states. |
Use Scenario: Enabling rapid resume-from-suspend, adaptive brightness control via ambient light sensing, and battery-fueled status indicators in detachable tablets. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Dual-role EC managing both host-side I/O (eSPI) and battery-critical functions (VBAT SRAM, BGPO, week timer alarms). Use Value: 64 B battery-backed SRAM retains critical state during full discharge; VCI interface allows hardware-level wake on charger insertion without CPU boot. |
| Industrial Panel PC with PS/2 Legacy Support | Embedded Thin Client with SMBus Sensor Hub |
Use Scenario: Replacing legacy 8042 controllers in ruggedized panel PCs requiring PS/2 keyboard/mouse support alongside modern thermal and fan control. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Emulated 8042 controller with Fast GATEA20/CPU_RESET; dual independent PS/2 ports with edge-wake capability. Use Value: Maintains backward compatibility while adding 8-channel ADC for voltage monitoring and 8 PWMs for multi-zone fan control-no additional ASIC required. |
Use Scenario: Centralizing sensor aggregation (temperature, voltage, fan speed) and actuator control (DAC-driven bias, PWM fans) in space-constrained thin clients. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: SMBus master hub with 3 fully operational controllers on standby power; DMA-accelerated transfers to SRAM. Use Value: Offloads host CPU from sensor polling; supports 1 MHz SMBus speeds and clock stretching for slow peripherals like thermistors. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar embedded controller applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEC1416-NU | 160 kB code SRAM (vs. 192 kB); identical eSPI/LPC/I²C support, pinout, and peripheral set | Same footprint and firmware compatibility; suitable where firmware image size ≤160 kB | Select MEC1416-NU when firmware compression or optimization reduces code memory requirement below 160 kB. |
| MEC1418-SZ | 144-pin WFBGA package (vs. 128-VTQFP); identical electrical specs, memory, and feature set | Targeted for high-density PCB layouts where VTQFP footprint is prohibitive | Choose MEC1418-SZ for compact board designs requiring finer pitch and lower profile than VTQFP allows. |
Compared with MEC1418-I/NU, MEC1416-NU trades 32 kB code SRAM for identical functionality in the same 128-VTQFP package, while MEC1418-SZ preserves all specifications but shifts to a 144-WFBGA form factor-neither is pin-compatible nor drop-in; layout and rework are required for either alternative.
Availability
MEC1418-I/NU is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for ultra-thin notebook system management, 2-in-1 tablet instant-on platforms, and industrial panel PCs requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and RoHS-compliant packaging.
Supply support for MEC1418-I/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 leading provider of microcontroller, analog, FPGA, and mixed-signal semiconductors, headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, with global design, manufacturing, and sales operations.
The MEC140x/1x product line delivers highly configurable embedded controllers optimized for PC platform power management, ACPI compliance, and secure firmware execution-designed specifically for notebook, tablet, and thin client system architects.
FAQ
What host interface protocols does the MEC1418-I/NU support?
The MEC1418-I/NU supports three host interface protocols: Intel eSPI (compliant with eSPI specification), LPC 1.1 (including CLKRUN# and LPCPD#), and I²C. Firmware determines which interface is activated at boot; all share the same GPIO pin resources and require configuration via pin control registers. The MEC1418-I/NU implements full eSPI functionality-including peripheral, virtual wire, out-of-band, and flash channels-making it suitable for next-generation platform designs replacing legacy LPC.
Does the MEC1418-I/NU include secure boot capabilities?
Yes, the MEC1418-I/NU integrates a Secure Boot ROM Loader that validates and loads firmware images from external SPI flash using CRC-32 and AES-128 encryption. It supports up to four code images in shared flash and provides crisis recovery over keyboard matrix scan pins-enabling field firmware recovery even when primary flash is corrupted. This capability is built into the silicon and requires no external security co-processor, making MEC1418-I/NU compliant with platform firmware resiliency requirements.
What is the role of the VCI interface in the MEC1418-I/NU?
The VBAT-Powered Control Interface (VCI) in the MEC1418-I/NU consists of two active-low inputs, one active-high input, and one active-high output-all powered by VBAT. It enables hardware-level control and wake signaling during deep suspend states when main power is off. For example, VCI_IN[0]# can detect AC adapter insertion, triggering wake before VCC is stable; VCI_OUT can drive a low-power status LED. Filtering and latching are configurable per pin, allowing robust noise immunity in battery-operated scenarios.
How does the MEC1418-I/NU handle real-time timing across sleep states?
The MEC1418-I/NU uses a dedicated 32-bit RTOS timer driven by the 32 kHz clock source (internal oscillator, crystal, or external signal) that continues counting in all chip sleep states-including deep sleep-unless halted by JTAG debugger activity or breakpoints. It generates wake-capable interrupts and maintains time continuity independently of the MIPS32 M14K core state. This ensures accurate timekeeping for alarms, scheduling, and Connected Standby timers without CPU intervention or power penalty.
Can the MEC1418-I/NU operate with both 3.3V and 1.8V I/O levels?
Yes-the MEC1418-I/NU supports dual-voltage I/O through its VTR_33_18 pin, configurable for either 3.3V or 1.8V operation. When used with eSPI or I²C host interfaces, ten GPIOs are powered by VTR_33_18, enabling direct interfacing with 1.8V companion devices (e.g., sensors, PMICs) without level shifters. This flexibility simplifies system design in mixed-voltage notebook platforms and reduces BOM cost compared to fixed-voltage EC solutions.
MEC1418-I/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:
- 192K x 8
- Interface:
- I2C, LPC, SMBus, SPI, UART
- Number of I/O:
- 106
- Voltage - Supply:
- 1.71V ~ 3.465V
- Operating Temperature:
- -40°C ~ 85°C
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- 128-VTQFP (14x14)
MEC1418-I/NU FAQ
1.How can I place an order for MEC1418-I/NU through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for MEC1418-I/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 MEC1418-I/NU reliable?
The price and inventory of MEC1418-I/NU are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for MEC1418-I/NU is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for MEC1418-I/NU?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for MEC1418-I/NU transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for MEC1418-I/NU?
MEC1418-I/NU orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your MEC1418-I/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 MEC1418-I/NU?
For technical support, including MEC1418-I/NU datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your MEC1418-I/NU requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that MEC1418-I/NU is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All MEC1418-I/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 MEC1418-I/NU meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of MEC1418-I/NU?
All MEC1418-I/NU units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with MEC1418-I/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 MEC1418-I/NU part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for MEC1418-I/NU:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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