Microchip Technology MEC1704Q-C1-I/SZ

Overview

MEC1704Q-C1-I/SZ from Microchip Technology is an ARM Cortex-M4F-based embedded controller designed for notebook and tablet platform power management, keyboard scanning, and system control. It integrates 256KB–480KB SRAM, 2KB EEPROM, hardware AES/SHA/RSA cryptographic engines, RTC, eSPI/LPC host interface, and 123 GPIOs with 1.8V/3.3V I/O support.

For engineers reviewing the MEC1704Q-C1-I/SZ datasheet, MEC1704Q-C1-I/SZ pinout, MEC1704Q-C1-I/SZ application, or MEC1704Q-C1-I/SZ equivalent, key selection criteria include eSPI/LPC dual-host compatibility, VBAT-backed RTC and 128-byte SRAM, secure boot with immutable ROM, 11-channel PWM fan control, and 16-channel 10-bit ADC with ±1.5 LSB INL.

Technical Context

The MEC1704Q-C1-I/SZ implements a tightly coupled ARM Cortex-M4F core with hardware FPU, NVIC supporting 240 interrupt sources, and full ARM-standard debug infrastructure (SWJ-DP, DWT, ITM, ETM, TPIU). Its memory subsystem includes configurable SRAM blocks (224KB/288KB/416KB + 32KB/64KB), 64KB boot ROM, and battery-backed 128-byte SRAM.

It supports dual-host communication via Intel eSPI (Peripheral/VW/OOB/Flash channels) and LPC (19–33 MHz, ACPI SCI/SMI), alongside five PS/2 controllers, four SMBus 2.0 hosts, two UARTs, and BC-Link for companion device expansion. Power management includes VTR/VBAT standby planes, hibernation timer (0.5ms–128 min wake), and PECI 3.0 interface.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MEC1704Q-C1-I/SZ is housed in a 144-pin WFBGA package (RoHS compliant, 6 × 6 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) with ball pitch optimized for high-density notebook PCB layouts and thermal performance under sustained EC workload.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MEC1704Q-C1-I/SZ, MEC1703Q-C1-I/SZ removes EEPROM but retains full cryptographic and timing functionality, while MEC1705Q-C1-I/SZ adds UPD support and EEPROM - making MEC1704Q-C1-I/SZ the balanced mid-tier option for notebooks requiring secure boot, RTC, and fan control without UPD or EEPROM dependencies.

Availability

MEC1704Q-C1-I/SZ is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for notebook platform development, convertible tablet system integration, and enterprise laptop security subsystem design requiring stable component supply, long-lifecycle support, and RoHS-compliant packaging.

Supply support for MEC1704Q-C1-I/SZ 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, mixed-signal, analog, and Flash-IP solutions, serving automotive, industrial, consumer, and computing markets with scalable, secure, and energy-efficient silicon.

The MEC170x family is Microchip's purpose-built embedded controller line for Windows- and Chrome OS-based mobile platforms, engineered to replace legacy 8051-based ECs with ARM-based performance, hardware security, and advanced power management.

FAQ

What host interfaces does the MEC1704Q-C1-I/SZ support?

The MEC1704Q-C1-I/SZ supports both Intel eSPI (compliant with specification v1.1) and legacy LPC (19–33 MHz) host interfaces. These are mutually exclusive configurations selected at boot time via strap pins or firmware; eSPI operates at 1.8V, LPC supports 1.8V/3.3V I/O. Both provide ACPI SCI, SMI#, and serial IRQ signaling essential for OS power management.

Does the MEC1704Q-C1-I/SZ include hardware cryptographic acceleration?

Yes, the MEC1704Q-C1-I/SZ integrates three dedicated hardware engines: AES (128/192/256-bit ECB/CBC/CTR/OFB), SHA (SHA-1/256/384/512), and public-key (RSA-2048/ECC-640). All share a DMA interface to SRAM and include a TRNG with 1K-bit FIFO - enabling secure boot, firmware signing, and TPM 2.0 operations without CPU overhead.

What is the memory configuration of the MEC1704Q-C1-I/SZ?

The MEC1704Q-C1-I/SZ provides configurable internal memory: two SRAM blocks totaling 256KB, 320KB, or 480KB (224KB/288KB/416KB + 32KB/64KB), 64KB boot ROM, 2KB EEPROM (1M write endurance, 32-byte pages), and 128 bytes of VBAT-backed SRAM. Memory mapping is fixed per variant and documented in DS00002206H Section 6.0.

How many GPIOs does the MEC1704Q-C1-I/SZ offer, and what voltage levels do they support?

The MEC1704Q-C1-I/SZ provides 123 general-purpose I/O pins, all configurable for 1.8V operation and most supporting 3.3V tolerance. Each GPIO includes programmable drive strength, slew rate control, and glitch filtering. Six are battery-powered general-purpose outputs (BGPO), and eight support pass-through functionality for direct host routing.

Is the MEC1704Q-C1-I/SZ qualified for automotive or industrial temperature ranges?

No - the MEC1704Q-C1-I/SZ is specified for industrial temperature range (–40°C to +85°C) and intended for notebook, tablet, and commercial computing applications. It is not AEC-Q100 qualified. For extended temperature or automotive use, Microchip offers separate MEC13xx or LAN925x families with appropriate qualification and screening.