STMicroelectronics STM1404CSNIQ6F

Overview

STM1404CSNIQ6F from STMicroelectronics is a FIPS-140 Level 4 security supervisor IC with four physical tamper inputs, over/under voltage detection (2.0 V / 4.2 V thresholds), over/under temperature monitoring (–25°C to +95°C, factory-programmed), and automatic battery switchover at ~2.4 V. It delivers secure power management for cryptographic modules in POS terminals and payment devices.

For engineers reviewing the STM1404CSNIQ6F datasheet, STM1404CSNIQ6F pinout, STM1404CSNIQ6F application, or STM1404CSNIQ6F equivalent, key selection criteria include tamper response behavior under SAL assertion (VOUT driven to ground), open-drain RST/PFO/BLD/SAL outputs, QFN16 3×3 mm package compatibility, and battery switchover integrity during voltage transients.

Technical Context

The STM1404C implements a dual-mode tamper detection architecture: TP1/TP3 are normally high (NH) inputs tied via external resistors to VTPU; TP2/TP4 are normally low (NL) inputs tied to VSS. Any state reversal triggers SAL assertion. Voltage supervision uses internal comparators monitoring VCC or VBAT against programmable thresholds (VRST = reset threshold, VPFI = power-fail threshold).

Temperature sensing employs factory-programmed upper (TH) and lower (TL) trip points with hysteresis; thermal alarms activate independently of supply source. During SAL activation, VOUT is actively driven to ground - a hard fail-safe mode distinct from STM1404A (VOUT remains ON) and STM1404B (VOUT goes High-Z).

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

STM1404CSNIQ6F is housed in a secure, low-profile 16-pin QFN package (3 mm × 3 mm, 0.5 mm pitch), optimized for tamper-resistant PCB layouts and minimal board area consumption.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar security supervisor applications.

Compared with STM1404CSNIQ6F, the STM1404BSNIQ6F requires external circuitry to replicate VOUT grounding on alarm, while MAX6369KA+T omits critical FIPS-140 Level 4 features - making STM1404C the sole choice for certified cryptographic module designs demanding guaranteed VOUT fail-safe shutdown.

Availability

STM1404CSNIQ6F is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for POS terminal security modules, EMVCo-compliant payment devices, banking ATM cryptographic modules, and secure industrial HSMs requiring stable component supply and long-term lifecycle support.

Supply support for STM1404CSNIQ6F 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

STMicroelectronics is a global semiconductor leader specializing in secure microcontrollers, power management, and analog/mixed-signal ICs for industrial, automotive, and smart-card applications.

The STM1404 family was designed specifically to meet FIPS-140 Level 4 physical and environmental intrusion monitoring requirements in cryptographic modules - targeting POS, payment terminals, and banking hardware.

FAQ

What is the function of the VTPU pin on STM1404CSNIQ6F?

VTPU (Pin 9) serves as the internal tamper pull-up source, dynamically switching between VCC and VBAT depending on the active supply domain. It provides bias voltage for external high-impedance resistors connected to TP1 and TP3 (normally high tamper inputs), ensuring reliable state detection during both main and backup power modes without external components.

How does the STM1404C variant differ from STM1404A/B in tamper response?

Upon SAL assertion, STM1404C actively drives VOUT to ground - a deterministic, hardware-enforced power kill for external SRAM. In contrast, STM1404A maintains VOUT at its current supply rail (VCC or VBAT), and STM1404B places VOUT in high-impedance state. This makes STM1404C uniquely suited for applications requiring guaranteed removal of power from sensitive memory on tamper detection.

Can the temperature trip points be reprogrammed in the field?

No. Upper (TH) and lower (TL) temperature thresholds are factory-programmed during production and cannot be modified post-manufacture. Available options are TH = +80°C, +85°C, or +95°C and TL = –25°C or –35°C. Selection must be specified at order time using the full part number suffix per ST's ordering scheme.

What is the purpose of the BLD output and when does it activate?

BLD (Battery Low Detect) is an open-drain output that asserts low during initial power-up if VBAT falls below the customer-selected VDET threshold (2.3 V, 2.5 V, or 3.2 V). It activates only once per power cycle to verify backup battery health before cryptographic operations begin, and releases when VCC drops below VRST - ensuring no false alarms during normal operation.