STMicroelectronics STM32F446RCT6

Overview

STM32F446RCT6 from STMicroelectronics is a 32-bit Arm® Cortex®-M4 MCU with FPU, operating up to 180 MHz (225 DMIPS), featuring 512 KB flash, 128 KB SRAM, dual USB OTG (FS + HS), three 12-bit ADCs (7.2 MSPS in triple interleaved mode), and two CAN 2.0B interfaces. It targets high-performance industrial control and audio processing systems requiring real-time signal handling and multi-interface connectivity.

For engineers reviewing the STM32F446RCT6 datasheet, STM32F446RCT6 pinout, STM32F446RCT6 application, or STM32F446RCT6 equivalent, key selection considerations include its ART Accelerator-enabled zero-wait-state flash execution, 114 GPIOs (112 5 V-tolerant), dual-mode QuadSPI, SAI/SPDIFRX audio support, and dedicated USB HS PHY with ULPI interface.

Technical Context

The device integrates an Adaptive Real-Time Accelerator (ART Accelerator™) enabling deterministic 0-wait-state execution from flash at 180 MHz, paired with a Memory Protection Unit (MPU) for secure task isolation. Its multi-AHB bus matrix supports concurrent access to flash, SRAM, and peripherals without contention.

It implements dual USB controllers: one full-speed OTG with on-chip PHY, and one high-speed/full-speed OTG with dedicated DMA, on-chip FS PHY, and ULPI interface-enabling simultaneous host/device operation across speed tiers. The dual SAI interfaces and SPDIF-RX receiver support synchronized multi-channel audio I/O with hardware clock domain separation.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

LQFP64 (10 × 10 mm) package with exposed thermal pad; 64-pin quad flat pack suitable for automated assembly and thermal management in industrial PCBs.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar high-performance Cortex-M4 MCU applications.

Compared with STM32F407VGT6, the STM32F446RCT6 adds USB HS, SPDIFRX, and QuadSPI at identical LQFP64 packaging-making it superior for audio-USB hybrid devices. Versus STM32H743VIT6, it trades peak CPU throughput for lower system complexity, proven audio feature set, and direct pin compatibility in space-constrained designs.

Availability

STM32F446RCT6 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial motor drives, professional audio interfaces, medical diagnostic equipment, and smart building gateways requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for STM32F446RCT6 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 headquartered in Geneva, designing and manufacturing microcontrollers, power management ICs, sensors, and analog components for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.

The STM32F4 series delivers high-performance Cortex-M4 MCUs optimized for real-time control, digital signal processing, and rich peripheral integration-including USB, audio, and motor control features-targeting cost-sensitive yet functionally demanding embedded applications.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency and how is it achieved?

The STM32F446RCT6 achieves 180 MHz maximum CPU frequency using its internal HSI or external HSE oscillator, combined with the main PLL. The ART Accelerator™ enables zero-wait-state execution from flash memory at this speed, eliminating instruction fetch bottlenecks. This requires proper VCAP capacitor placement and stable 1.7–3.6 V supply per datasheet Section 6.3.1.

Does it support external SDRAM, and what interface is used?

Yes, the STM32F446RCT6 supports external SDRAM via its Flexible Memory Controller (FMC), which provides a 16-bit data bus and address/control signals compatible with standard LPDDR/SDR SDRAM chips. The FMC operates independently of the core clock and supports burst reads/writes, making it suitable for display frame buffers or large data caches.

How many independent clock domains does the audio subsystem use?

The audio subsystem uses three independent clock domains: one driven by the main PLL for system timing, one by the dedicated audio PLL (PLLI2S) for I²S/SAI bit clocks, and one by the SAI PLL (PLLSAI) for asynchronous SPDIFRX recovery. This prevents jitter coupling between USB, audio, and system clocks-critical for professional-grade audio fidelity.

Is the LQFP64 package RoHS-compliant and lead-free?

Yes, the STM32F446RCT6 in LQFP64 package is RoHS-compliant and lead-free, meeting EU Directive 2011/65/EU and JEDEC J-STD-020 moisture sensitivity level MSL3. The device marking "R" in the order code denotes RoHS compliance, and the package uses matte tin finish on leads per ST's quality documentation DS10693 Rev 11, Section 7.2.