STMicroelectronics STM32F446ZEH6

Overview

STM32F446ZEH6 from STMicroelectronics is a 32-bit Arm® Cortex®-M4 microcontroller with FPU, operating up to 180 MHz, featuring 512 KB flash, 128+4 KB RAM, dual USB OTG (FS/HS), three 12-bit ADCs (7.2 MSPS in triple interleaved mode), and two CAN 2.0B interfaces - deployed in industrial motor control systems requiring real-time analog acquisition and deterministic communication.

For engineers reviewing the STM32F446ZEH6 datasheet, STM32F446ZEH6 pinout, STM32F446ZEH6 application, or STM32F446ZEH6 equivalent, key selection criteria include its 144-pin LQFP package, 180 MHz CPU clock with ART Accelerator enabling zero-wait-state flash execution, dual-mode QuadSPI for external memory expansion, and integrated SAI/SPDIFRX for audio subsystem integration.

Technical Context

The STM32F446ZEH6 implements an Arm Cortex-M4 core with hardware FPU and Memory Protection Unit (MPU), supporting DSP instructions and adaptive real-time execution via the ART Accelerator. Its clock system integrates four oscillators: 4–26 MHz HSE, 32 kHz LSE for RTC, 16 MHz factory-trimmed HSI (±1%), and 32 kHz LSI with calibration.

Peripheral architecture includes a multi-AHB bus matrix, 16-stream DMA with FIFOs, flexible memory controller (FMC) supporting SDRAM/NOR/NAND, and dual USB OTG controllers - one with on-chip FS PHY, another with dedicated DMA and ULPI interface for HS operation - enabling simultaneous host/device roles across speed tiers.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

LQFP144 (20 × 20 mm) package with exposed thermal pad; 144 pins arranged in 4 sides (36 per side), 0.5 mm pitch, RoHS-compliant, moisture sensitivity level 3.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with STM32F446ZEH6, the STM32F407VGT6 trades USB HS, SPDIFRX, and triple ADC interleaving for lower cost and mature ecosystem support, while the STM32H743ZIT6 delivers 2.1× higher DMIPS and crypto acceleration but omits SPDIFRX and increases power/complexity for non-AI edge use cases.

Availability

STM32F446ZEH6 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial motor control, audio processing gateways, human-machine interfaces, and secure industrial gateways requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for STM32F446ZEH6 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, Switzerland, designing and manufacturing microcontrollers, power ICs, sensors, and automotive-grade components since 1987.

The STM32F4 series targets high-performance embedded applications demanding real-time signal processing, rich connectivity, and deterministic peripheral timing - optimized for industrial automation, audio, and motor control where Cortex-M4+FPU and integrated analog subsystems deliver balanced compute and I/O capability.

FAQ

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

The STM32F446ZEH6 achieves 180 MHz maximum CPU frequency using the Arm Cortex-M4 core with Adaptive Real-time Accelerator (ART Accelerator), which enables zero-wait-state execution from flash memory. This eliminates instruction fetch bottlenecks and allows full-performance operation without external RAM caching, verified under 1.7–3.6 V supply and ambient temperatures up to 85°C.

Does this MCU support external SDRAM, and what interface is used?

Yes, the STM32F446ZEH6 supports external SDRAM via its Flexible Memory Controller (FMC) with a 16-bit data bus. The FMC provides dedicated address/control signals, programmable timing registers, and automatic refresh control - validated for use with standard 16-bit wide SDRAM chips such as IS42S16160J, enabling Linux-capable memory footprints in resource-constrained designs.

How many independent ADCs does it have, and what is their combined sampling capability?

The STM32F446ZEH6 integrates three independent 12-bit ADCs, each capable of 2.4 MSPS. In triple interleaved mode, they achieve a combined sampling rate of 7.2 MSPS with synchronized start triggers and shared data registers - confirmed in DS10693 Rev 11 Section 3.37 and Electrical Characteristics Table 6.3.21, enabling high-fidelity multi-channel analog capture for motor current or vibration analysis.

What USB capabilities does the STM32F446ZEH6 provide, and are both PHYs integrated?

The STM32F446ZEH6 integrates two independent USB OTG controllers: one USB 2.0 full-speed controller with on-chip PHY, and one USB 2.0 high-speed/full-speed controller with dedicated DMA, on-chip full-speed PHY, and ULPI interface for external HS PHY connection. Both support device/host/OTG roles, enabling simultaneous FS and HS operation - detailed in Sections 3.33–3.34 and Table 2 of the datasheet.